No Knead Bread

My aunt Dee taught me how to make this when she visited in 2011.

5 - cups hot water (hotter than bathwater, but not scalding)

4 - tablespoons of yeast

1 - cup oil

6 - tablespoons sugar

2 - tablespoons salt ( optional)

8-10 - cups of flour 

mix all ingredients together. should be sticky. stir down from the outer part of the bowl inward every 10 minutes for 1 hour. should be covered.

put oil in bread pans. put dough in bread pans, cover & let rise for 1/2 hour. makes 4-5 loaves

bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.

can also be used to make : cinnamon rolls, biscuits

So, I don't know about you, but reading this, I would be LOST :)  Luckily, my Aunt came down and showed us how to make it.  So, here it is in picture form:

Add 5 cups hot water to a huge bowl :)

Sprinkle 4 TBSP yeast into water

Add 1 Cup oil

add 6 TBSP sugar to activate the yeast

It'll start doing this bubbly thing

add 2 TBSP salt, if you want (I like it better with the salt)

Start with 6 cups of flour.  Add up to 10 (usually it takes between 9-10).  After the original 6, add 1 cup at a time, until you are up to 9 cups, then add 1/2 a cup at a time.

 Stir until well mixed, forming a sticky ball

Cover and wait 10 minutes

After it's risen for 10 minutes, stir around the bowl once.

Stir from the outside of the bowl, piling onto the inside.  Cover, and wait 10 minutes.  Repeat 6 times.

After you've stirred 6 times (10 minutes between each one) oil your hands (yep! Pour vegetable oil right on your hands).  Then take about 1/5 of the dough (sorry, I don't have pictures of this part... but my hands were covered in oil and dough!) and mold into a loaf shape.  Do this by using both hands, and folding the dough over on itself until it's smooth on top, and long :)

Place in well oiled pan (I used oil for some, and then when they didn't come out very easily I switched to pam for baking, and then oil.  The oil gives them a buttery taste, the pam lets it slide out of the pan easily!)  Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.  (I spray pam the bottom of the towel, it makes the bread not stick to it).

Bake for 30-35 minutes at 375.

There is a proper way to let the bread cool.  Did you know that?  I didn't!  I figured it out the hard way.
If you don't let it cool properly, it'll end up looking like this:

So, to let it rest in the loaf pans for at least 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Then, tilt the pans on their side to let the bread cool for at least 10 more minutes.

They'll slide out easily.   To allow for easier cutting, let cool completely. I never have been able to do that!  They taste WAY to yummy fresh out of the oven! 

Eat and Enjoy!  (I love it with Peach Freezer Jam!)

Decorating on a Dime!

Christmas is Expensive! And as you may know, my honey and I downsized so I could be a stay-at-home momma. This brought a dilemma about a week ago when I started thinking about how to decorate our place for Christmas. We don't have room for a Christmas village, or a tree, or really anything that's not already in our place!

However, the Bee (our daughter) is almost 2 now, so we wanted it to be really special for her. Last year, she was only 9 months old, and we moved right after Christmas, so we never decorated.

My goal this year was to decorate for less than $10! :) I spent less than $2!

Wrapping Pictures:

It quickly gives your already decorated walls a Christmas theme! Plus, it's really easy to un-decorate! It takes us less than 5 minutes to get it all down, even less if you have kids who are good at unwrapping! This is great not only for Christmas, but for birthdays and other events as well!

I choose color coordinating wrapping paper, or wrap them all in the same paper. You can get it cheap at Walgreens, or use leftover wrapping paper, from last year. This is stuff I purchased last year on a Buy 1 for $1.99 Get 2 free sale at Walgreens ($.66 a roll!). Wrapping all the pictures in the house, I used less than 1/4 of a roll of each paper, (spending about $.66!)

 

I did purchase some green ribbon at Target today for (they are regularly priced at $1), to jazz up the bows, and for the actual bows, I purchased some last year after Christmas ($.50 for 50 bows at Walmart! I love after Christmas clearance!).

We then hung some Christmas lights up (we bought them several years ago).


It's not a lot (but we don't really have room for a lot!), and my daughter is in awe over all the changes, and I love how just a couple of cheap touches make SUCH a huge difference, without costing much or being a danger to have around for our little Bee. :)

We also go (closer to Christmas) to our local Christmas tree stand, and ask for the cut off branches. They give them to us for free, and it makes the house smell incredible (one more year until we risk a tree!). Throw a few ornaments on arranged branches and you have a super easy centerpiece!

Quick Albies Trip

I love Albertsons!!!  A LOT!!!

I went shopping today, and was almost paid to walk out of the store with a car full of groceries!!

First thing first: I pre-paid for 20 of these.

I had special ordered them, but the warehouse was out, so they let me pay for them anyway.  Now, they'll keep ordering them until they come in, I'll keep my receipts, and when they arrive, they'll give me a call, and I'll go pick them up. It's basically a rain check on crack :).

I purchased them in sets of 4.  I used 4 $1/1 coupons and 3 doubles, saving $7.00 per transaction.  They were originally $4.29 each, on sale for $2.00, and I saved $7, so I paid $1.00 plus tax for 4 boxes.  THEN out shot a beautiful $4 catalina, good off my next purchase of $4 or more.  So, total for all 20 boxes, I spent $5.00, and received $20 in catalinas, for a profit of $15!!

 Then, I had also pre-ordered 30 cans of pineapple. I had the bee with me, and she was getting hungry, so I purchased the bananas too. 
Pineapple Original Price: $2.39 each, on sale for $1.  I had 10 $1/3 coupons, so I rang them up in sets of 9.  When you bought 4, you got a $1 catalina.  So, I doubled 3 $1/3 coupons, saving $6.  In the first transaction, I had the bananas, so I was able to use a $4 catalina from the TGI Fridays meals, and got 7 Bananas, 9 cans of pineapple for $.50 (the bananas were $1.50).

Then I repeated it with no bananas, and had a $3 bill, used my 2 $1 cats from the first pineapple transaction, and one I had previously.  So, it was all free (well, tax)!
I repeated it again, doing the same thing.  It was free again!

Then I got creative!  I had 3 more cans of pineapple to buy, and I needed milk, and batteries.  So for
3 cans of Pineapple
1 gallon D Milk
1 package Oreos
and 1 8 pack batteries,
I used 3 $1 coupons (on each for the milk/oreos, batteries, and 3 cans of pineapple), doubled them all, and used 2 $4 cats from the TGI Fridays.  I paid $.17!!!

Then, because my honey doesn't like catalinas sitting around (because more often than not I forget to use them) I went shopping again!  I had one set of doublers left, 2 $1 catalinas and 2 $4 catalinas.  I bought another gallon of milk, another package of oreos, and 5 packages of Turkey Sausage, on clearance for $1.99 (from $5.49).  I doubled my $1 catalinas and another $1/1 milk and cookies and saved $6, then used my 2 remaining $4 catalinas, and ended up owing $1.13.

So, for $204.60 worth of groceries/batteries, I paid: $6.80. The milk alone was $5.87, so basically, I paid for Milk and bananas!!!  Every thing else was free!!!  YAHOOOO!!!  A savings of 97%!!!

Couponing Again-Building The Stockpile

It's been a while since I've coupon-ed (well, at least since I've posted about it)...

Today, I hit up Fred Meyers, Albertsons and Walmart.  We've been living off our stockpile for a while, so this trip was more about building back up my stockpile.

Fred Meyers-$41.07

20 boxes of Annie's Organic Mac and Cheese $.69 each 

-used 1 $.75/1 coupon

10 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup $.49 each

-used 2 $1/5 coupons

10 cans Cream of Chicken Soup $.49 each

-used 2 $1/5 coupons

 20 cans Del Monte Vegetables $.49 each
2 Large Eggs, 18 count  $2.00 each (store coupon, not pictured)

Albertsons- $2.36

I ran this in 4 transactions, 2 of each.

Mini Oreo's 2 Go $1.00
Skim Milk $2.49

Rhodes Warm and Serve Rolls $2.50

Doubled $1/1 Nabisco and Milk
Doubled $.75/1 Milk
Doubled $1/1 Rhodes Rolls

Final: $.49

Mini Oreo's 2 Go $1.00
Whole Milk $2.69

Rhodes Warm and Serve Rolls $2.50

Doubled $1/1 Nabisco and Milk
Doubled $.75/1 Milk
Doubled $1/1 Rhodes Rolls

Final: $.69

Walmart - $29.92

4 Tillamook 2 lb Loaf $5.96 each

used 4 $1/1 Cheese, 2 lbs, doubled (saved $8)

2 C&H Sugar, 4 lbs $2.82 each

used 2 $.75/1 C&H Sugar, 4-5 lbs, doubled (saved $3)

2 Minute Maid OJ, $2.98 each

used 2 $1/1 Minute Maid OJ, doubled (saved $4)

2 Jif Peanut Butter, $4.68 each
used 2 $.55/1 Jif, doubled ($2.20)

8 Yeast 3 Packs, $1.04 each
used 4 $1/2 Yeast 3 packs, doubled (saved $8)

2 Kraft Parmesan Blends packs, $1.78 each
used 2 $.75/1 Parmesan Blends, doubled (saved $3)

1 Idahoan Hashbrown, $1.25

used 1 FREE product coupon from All You (saved $1.25)

All coupons can be found here.

Total Cost Before Coupons: $140.93
Total Cost: $73.35

Total savings: $67.58 or 48%!

My Life-From the Bee to West Nile Virus!

My last update was about my depression.  Well, it turns out that it's not just depression.  Sure, that's part of, but the main part is that when I was in Denver, CO in July, I got West Nile!  Yep!  27 mosquito bites later, and one of them managed to give it to me!  It's not the dangerous kind where you end up hospitalized, but the safe kind where you don't even know you have it... it's the middle one.  It takes between 2 and 6 months to get out of your system!!  EEK!!

Craziness, right?  Some days I feel completely normal.  Thankfully those days are coming more and more often! (I had two this month!), but most of the time I'm tired.  Really tired.  Bring the Bee's toys in, stay in bed, and don't do anything except feed and change the Bee until my Honey gets home tired.  But it's been a while since I had a day that bad!  YAY!!

The depression is part of it.  One thing I didn't realize about depression is how all encompassing it is.  You not only have the physical pain that comes with it, but you also have nothing.  Not a desire to do something, not any energy, no desire to see friends or family, etc.  Depression is selfish.  It's all consuming.  But, it's also not something that is avoidable.  I think everyone in the world gets depressed from time to time.  Could be work, could be family, could be friends, could be all of it, could be none of it.  It's just want happens.  We live in a fallen world, and it sucks.  Life is hard, sad, and impossible without God. Thankfully, I have God.  And he got me through it!  Sure, I'm still sad, sometimes.  Sure, my immune system is weakened, so I'm sick more often.  But, being as depressed as I was has already been used for His good.

I have been blessed to be able to see what's going on with my dad in a different light (prayers for him are still appreciated!  He starts his (PRAYERFULLY) last dose of steroids on Saturday and then his last dose of Chemo 30 days after that.) and offer insight to those closest to him.  I couldn't imagine fighting this disease with depression.  The Chemo and steroids make him so sick to begin with, and  then being depressed on top of it!  The fact that he actually gets up every day and fights (even if only for a few minutes) is amazing!

The Bee is now 19 months old!  We had her pictures taken for her 18 month birthday (well, okay, we did it for my 29th birthday! (they are the pictures scattered throughout this post)  It's amazing how much she has grown.  She's happy, cheerful (unless she's not, hehehe) and so amazing!  She blows me away with how much she's learning and loving and growing!  You can't walk out the door (even to take out the trash) without several bye bye hugs and kisses.  Fish lip kisses!  They are the sweetest thing!  And she love her sweet "friends" (stuffed animals, baby dolls, and little people!) giving them kisses and "hug" all the time.  And what's more amazing?  My 19 month old shares :).  You just have to ask her for something, and she'll joyfully pass it over!  Mostly she loves her Daddy and "Dog Dog".  Ember is so patient with her, with the constant desire for a hug and kiss. 

The Bee's favorite animal is still the giraffe, which she now calls "Raff".  Her favorite thing in the world to do is go to the Boise Zoo and feed Julius the Giraffe.  She could spend all day there, but at $3 per piece of lettuce, we limit it to 3 pieces!  Luckily she's still free and Thursdays are half price!  We're probably done with the zoo until it gets warmer.  Julius can't come out unless it's 40 degrees or warmer, so unless we have another warm streak, we are gonna hang out until summer :)

She's started naming her stuffed animals, with her Lambie being "Manny", her lady bug pillow pet is "Bug", a tiny white dog is "Woo Woo" (her sound for barking) and the latest addition, a while polar bear named "Rarrr".

Going over to my parents house is great fun for her, not only because Grandma ma and Papa are there, but because that's where "Giget" (my parents dog, Gidget) lives.  She has a great time at the other set of grandparents too, and is in love with all the bears and Grandma and Grandpa Bear have out... Plus, the baby toys and doll house amaze her! 

My brother in law is getting married this spring, and Jeremiah and I will go from having 2 nieces and 2 nephews to having 4 nieces and 2 nephews!  I'm so excited for him and his lovely bride! They are such a sweet couple.

Well, I think that's about it... you're all updated and informed :)

Depression Story

So, I've been depressed for years.  Since high school, actually. However, usually, I can just turn to God, and force my way though it, and it can be months between depressive moods, and then they will only last a day or two.  Not the case these last few weeks.  It has been overwhelming.  All consuming. Hope killing. 

But, with that said, here's the deal.  I KNOW that God uses all things towards the good for those that are called according to His purpose.  And, beside that I KNOW that I am called.  So, even though I have no desire to do anything, so even though simply getting out of bed is physically painful and emotionally draining, so even though the tiny little things my daughter does that used to give me so much joy don't anymore, I KNOW that God is going to use this towards His good.  I can't see how right now.   In fact, that's a huge part of depression.  I can't see anything but myself, and how much I physically and emotionally hurt.  Depression is a hugely selfish feeling.  However, the more and more depressed you are, the less and less you can fight the depression and the selfishness that comes with it.

But, I went to the doctor (who has treated me before) and got some help.  I have a few friends that are reaching out to me, and they do make it better.  I'm also refusing to go quietly down the depression hole!! I'm publicly professing how I feel.  I'm attempting to push through, to turn to God, and to TRUST!  That's hard when you are depressed to.  Trusting that God wants only good things for you.  Trusting that He hasn't forsaken you.  Trusting that even though you feel like a scared, abused, neglected dog hiding in a corner that He is there for you!  Trust is hard. 

I think it's even harder to be a depressed Christian than a depressed non Christian.  For some reason, the stigma that comes with being depressed is worse if you are a walking, talking, professing Christian.  Bad thoughts run through your head (about if your faith was strong enough you would be going through this, that Christ has abandoned you, etc).  Plus, if you truly have a relationship with Christ, it's not like you can just go and kill yourself.  You are on this planet to do His work, and you don't get to stop doing His work until he says so.  Committing suicide would be the easy way out.  But, being a Christian is not easy.  While the burden is light, Satan doesn't attack those who aren't doing God's work. 


But, today I got up, even if it took a while, and I took care of my daughters needs.  Because even if I'm depressed, she still comes first.  Then, because that took every ounce of my energy, I ran her a bath, and let her play.  We splashed and played, and it was a good time.  I even used some of the time and folded and put away a load of laundry.  HUGE for me!  I haven't even touched the washer or dryer in almost 10 days.  I'm tired now, but she's napping, and I'm resting.  Trusting that God is going to see me through this.  Trusting that He has not nor will He ever leave or forsake me.  Clinging to Him... my life raft and Savior.  And friend.

So, if you think about it, pray for me.  Pray that each day I have the courage to get up, that each day I have the desire to fight hard enough, long enough to get through the next minute.  Because that's all I can face at a time. 

What is your experience with depression?  How have you fought it? 

Saving 90% at Albertsons!

20 Boxes Totino's Party Pizzas 2/$3
12 Totino's Pizza Rolls $2.39 each
3 Hot Pocket Snacker, $2.79 each
20 Boxes Hamburger Helper, $2.39 each
38 Progresso Vegetable Classics Soup $2.79 each
4 Dreyers 1/2 Gallons of Ice Cream $6.99 each
3 Snickers Bars, $.89
Total: $251.50

Transaction #1:
10 Boxes Hamburger Helper
$23.90
Preferred Savings: $13.90
Used 3 $.75 off 3 HH Coupons 7/16 SS ($2.25)
Doubled all three ($2.25)
Total: $5.50
Received $2 Cat and $5 Cat, and 35 box tops

Transaction #2
10 Boxes Hamburger Helper
1 Snickers
$24.79
Preferred Savings: $12.61
Used 3 $.75 off 3 HH Coupons 7/16 SS ($2.25)
Doubled all three ($2.25)
Used $7 in Cats from T1
Total: $.08
Received $2 Cat and $5 Cat and 35 box tops

Transaction #3
10 Totino's Party Pizzas
Total: $15
Preferred Savings: $2.50
Used: 2 $1/5 Totino's Coupons from 8/7 GM ($2)
Doubled 2 ($2)
Used $7 cat from T2
Total: $1.50
Received $5 cat and 35 box tops


Transaction #4
10 Totino's Party Pizzas
Total: $15
Preferred Savings: $2.50
Used: 2 $1/5 Totino's Coupons from 8/7 GM ($2)
Doubled 2 ($2)
Used $5 cat from T3
Total: $3.50
Received $5 cat and 35 box tops

Transaction #5 (I messed this one up, so after this I went away, sat down and re-organized everything)
6 Progresso Soups
4 Totino's Pizza Rolls
$26.30
Preferred Savings: $16.30
Used: $1/4 Progresso Soup coupon from 8/7 GM and 2 $.40/2 Totino's Pizza Rolls 8/7 GM ($1.80)
Doubled: 3 ($1.80)
Used $5 cat from T4
Total: $1.40
Received $5 cat and 35 box tops

Transaction #6, 7, 8, 9
8 Progresso Soups
2 Totino's Pizza Rolls
$27.10
Preferred Savings: $17.10
Used 2 $1/4 and 1 $.40/1 (8/7 GM) ($2.40)
Doubled 2 $1/4 coupons ($2)
Used: $5 Cat from previous transaction
Total: $.60
Received $5 cat and 35 box tops

Transaction #10:
4 Dreyers Ice Cream Half Gallons
$27.96
Preferred Savings: $15.96
Used 2 $1/2 Dreyers from 6/12SS ($2)
Doubled 2 ($2)
Used: $5 Cat from T9
Total: $3
Received: $4 cat

Transaction #11:
2 Snickers Bars
3 Hot Pocket Snackers
$10.15
Preferred Savings: $.20
Used $1/1 Snackers coupon from 6/26 SS ($3)
Doubled 3 ($3)
$4 cat from T10
Total $.05 MM!!! (I love my Albies Cashier!!!)


Total Pre Savings/Coupons: $251.50
Total Amount Paid: $17.43 or 6.9%
Saving: 93.1%

Life Is Short, Hug Your Kids, And Parents!

#

My dad had a stroke today.  As I rushed to the hospital, in a constant state of prayer, several things flashed through my mind.  Mainly how much Abi loves her "PaPa" and how crushed I would be if she didn't get to grow up with him in her life.
It made me think of loosing my Grandpa, when I was 5, and how I only have one memory of him... the sadness I feel when people tell me stories about him, things I never knew.
I do not want Abi to face this future with her PaPa. 
I was also amazed at how instantly God answers prayer.  Mom called me as I was 1/2 way there and asked me to run out to their house because Dad had been going fishing and everything was just left in the truck.  As I raced down the streets, praying for people to get out of my way, and lights to turn green, tears streaming down my cheeks, I was amazed at how precisely He answered my prayers.  I barely had time to think them, and people were signaling their turns, lights were turning green, and my heart was calmed.  So faithfully were people moved out of my way that I marveled at it.  I love that God loves me.  I know that God loves my Daddy.  In fact as I was thinking, driving, and praying, I was amazed at how MUCH God must love us.  Because I love my daughter.  I would do ANYTHING it took to protect, heal, or keep her safe.  The phrase moving heaven and earth comes to mind.  I have no doubt that I would literally do it for Abi.  And God's love for us is MORE than we could ever love someone on this earth.
This thought it was kept me calm.  That no matter how much I love my dad, or my daughter, or husband... Jesus loves them more!
Anyway, Dad is doing much better!  He had his speech back by about noon, and was able to carry on a normal conversation with me at full speed tonight at about 7:30.  The doctors are very confidant that he will be going home tomorrow.  My family is doing well.  I think we are all a little shaken, in fact, I'm still physically shaking. 
But there are some things I am very confidant about. 
#1-God was with us during this entire horrible day
#2-I want to spend more time loving on my family.  I have no idea how many day each of us has.
#3-I want YOU to spend more time loving on your family.  Lots of times, we let the daily things get in the way, arguments, disagreements, things from the past.  Really... if your loved one was dying, would ANY of that really matter?
#4-I love Jesus.  And He loves me!  And He loves you!  And wants you to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.  Do you know Him?  Do you love Him?  Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior?  If not, please consider it!  I want to spend eternity with you in Heaven too!

Last Minute Couponing Adventures

Jeremiah asked me to go out and pick up some sugar and cayenne pepper.  I said yes, mainly to get a since of normalcy back to today!

Transaction 1:
4 boxes Fiber One Peanut Butter Brownie Bars $3.99 each
On sale for $2.50 each
Used 4 $.75/1 Coupons from 7/17 SS (saved $3)
Doubled 3, (saved $2.25)
Final OPP: $5.22
Received 2 $2 Catalina's, and a Catalina for $4.50 off my next milk purchase.

Transaction 2:
4 boxes Fiber One Peanut Butter Brownie Bars $3.99 each
On sale for $2.50 each
Used 4 $.75/1 Coupons from 7/17 SS (saved $3)
Doubled 3, (saved $2.25)
Used 2 $2 Catalina's from T1 (saved $4)
Final OPP: $1.22
Received 2 $2 Catalina's, and a Catalina for $4.50 off my next milk purchase.

Transaction 3:
Gallon Skim Milk $2.69
Gallon Whole Milk $2.89
4 lb sugar $3.59
Cayenne Pepper $6.49
Used 2 $4.50 off next milk purchase Catalinas (saved $9)
Used 2 $2 Catalina's from T2 (saved $4)
Final OPP: $3.60

Before Sale/Coupons: $42!
OPP for all three transactions: $10.04
Savings: 76%
So, I got $.04 off the sugar and Cayenne Pepper, and EVERYTHING else was FREE!!!

Peach Freezer Jam-In Less Time Than It Takes To Do A Load Of Laundry!

I ordered a box of Peaches with my Bountiful Basket (click here to see what I'm talking about).  After letting them ripen up for about 5 days, I was ready to go!! (They come NOT ripe from Bountiful Baskets, so you have time to figure out what to do with them, separate them so they ripen at different times, etc)

 I was so excited to make Freezer Jam (Cook jam is going to happen tomorrow!).  A friend was supposed to come over, but her munchkin was sick, so alas, I'm going to have to order another case of something yummy in the future to be able to show her how to do this!

 Start by cutting the peaches in half, and removing the pits (after washing them of course!). 

 If you get a peach (or whatever) that looks like this...

 Just cut it off.  I could have been a lot more careful about what a cut, but I was in a hurry, because I was doing a "Naptime" activity, so from start to finish, it needed to take less than 2 hours!

 However, if you get something that looks like this, after cutting the bad part off, I don't use it.  Up to you... you could just cut a deeper chunk until it's totally gone, but I don't want to mess with it.

I cut up about 1/2 the case

And into the bowl they went!

 It was about 24 peaches. You could peel them if you wanted, but to me, that's to much work :) 

 The recipe says to cut them into small pieces.  Well, either I'm lazy, or I'm in a time crunch (probably both), so I just pop them into my food processor (a blender works great too!)

 Get them going by pushing down with a spatula.  Don't push to hard, or you'll cut off the tip of your spatula.

 Then, after they are mostly pureed, I mash them with my berry masher.

 Push down HARD. (this is easier to do in a pyrex type baking dish, but I didn't have the counter room)

 Then pull up.  You want the pieces to be pretty small.

 You can find the recipe for the Jam on the inside of the instant pectin jar.

 5 cups of fruit (my 24 peaches did 3 batches, I'm just not going to bore you with it)

 2 cups of sugar/splenda

 3 TBSP lemon juice (aprox 1 lemon)

 Then stir it up, and wait.

 For 10 minutes...

 Give it one good stir, then add the pectin.

 6 TBSP of it. Add it slowly and stir well, making sure there are no clumps. 

 Ladle it into the jars

 Wipe the rims.

 Center the lid

 Then adjust to finger tightness

 Wait 30 minutes.  I usually take this time to clean up :)

 Clean up is super easy!  Just use a couple of the Lysol wipes in the purple container, before it gets hard, and the scrubby side is great for picking up anything that may have dried on!

Clean and ready for my next project, BEFORE the jam is ready to freeze!

 Admire your jars.

 I always end up with what I call a "sample" jar... not full enough to do anything with except refrigerate and eat
right away.

 The jam made with the Instant Pectin is commonly referred to as freezer jam.  It's good for 1 year in the freezer, or 3 weeks in the fridge.