Sunday, June 5, 2011

Peach Jam & Matilda Jane GIVEAWAY!

Last weekend I was a peach cookin' fool.  After I stacked my freezer with peach cobblers, I started in on the Holy Grail of peach treats--Homemade Peach Jam!



To make my cooked peach jam, I use the recipe inside the Sure*Jell box. Tried and true, this recipe has stood the test of time and I get perfect results every time.
Sure*Jell Peach Jam
*It is important to follow the directions EXACTLY.*

I start by sterilizing my jars, and pretty much everything that comes in contact with the finished jam.  To do this, you dip the items in boiling water for 3 minutes. I place sterilized items on a clean paper towel to dry.


Next I peel and chop my peaches. 


Then measure EXACT amount of chopped peaches into a large pot and add fresh lemon juice.


Add Sure*Jell.



Add butter.


Next I measure out the EXACT amount of sugar in a separate bowl and place it close by so I'm ready to go.





Then bring peach/ Sure*Jell/ lemon/ butter mixture to a full boil.

Now I pour in the sugar.


Stirring constantly, bring this to a full boil for 1 minute.


Jam is now ready to be put in jars.  Remove from heat.


Place your jam lids in simmering water to soften the seal.


Using a ladle, pour hot jam into sterilized jars. I hold the jars with a hot-mitt. This is a sticky job!


Place lid on jar and press down.


Screw on the lid band very tight. (yes, my fingers are burning here)


Invert jars for 10 minutes on a paper towel to help the lids seal.


Flip jars over and let the jam cool. The jam will set as it cools. 


Check all of the lids for a good seal by pressing down on them. They should NOT click.  If they do, then you can boil the jar for 5 min and see if that gets a good seal.  If not, then you will need to store the unsealed jar in the refrigerator. Jars that have a good seal can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place (so a pantry) for up to 1 year.

Now wash the outside of the jars to clean any sticky drips, dry them, label and (if you are a nerd like me) decorate the jars. Since I still need to decorate mine, I thought I'd post a photo of some jam jars I did last year.




Okay! Now for today's GIVEAWAY!

All you need to enter:
1. Be a follower of my blog
2. Leave a comment on this post.

It's that simple! 

Now, since I am giving away two items today.  Please leave the name of which item you would like as your comment. 

Item #1:
A jar of fresh peach jam from Schneph Farm (this is where I picked the peaches!)
The sweet flower in this photo is not included in the giveaway, but if you want one you can get it here


Item #2
This VERY RARE and super sought after Matilda Jane Plymouth Art Fair Shopping With Ellie Halter top.
The top is a girls sz 6, but fits small.  It would work best for a size 4/5 or very slim 6.  It is in very good used condition only because it does show some wash fade on the pink dot fabric.  You could hunt on ebay for months to score this halter and not find one.  This top is truly a gem :-)


Gorgeous ribbon trim.


Cute shopping pug.


This one was made in the USA.  Yay!


I cannot believe that my sweet girl has outgrown this gorgeous top! sniff-sniff



I'll do the drawing this Friday 6/10/2011.

Good luck, everyone!

~The Lemonista

79 comments:

  1. Your peach jam looks delicious!

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  2. Oh Erin that jam looks scrumptious! You have my mouth watering. :)

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  3. What a great blog you have! I would love a chance to win the Ellie! And I agree with using the sure-jell recipe - it always turns out well. I have to thank you for the tutorial on canning - I am hoping to try this summer with all of the great fruit we pick fresh here in the pacific NW!

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  4. oooh I love that ellie! Swoon. The jam looks good too ;) if I liked peaches LOL

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  5. OMG I would kill for some homemade peach Jam right about now! Thanks for the entry!

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  6. Mmmmm, both look so yummy! I'd love a chance to win a Matilda Jane Plymouth Art Fair Shopping With Ellie Halter top! Very Cute : )

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  7. We would love to have your MJ artfair ellie.

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  8. I would love a chance at the MJ ellie! Thank you ;).

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  9. Your blog is my favorite. :) We would love a chance to win the Ellie. :)

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  10. YUM! That jam looks so tasty.

    And LOVE the ellie. :)

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  11. Oooh thanks for the jam demo!! Its so much easier with pictures. We pick peaches every year (August usually) and I have done straight canning but never jam. I will have to check your site to see if you have a grape jelly/jam recipe - we have an arbor with seeded concords that is about 40-50 years old and I never know what to do with it.

    My 3.5 year old would love that ellie, too :)

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  12. looks very good both jam and ellie :)

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  13. Wow that jam looks delicious!! As much as I would LOVE that ellie, it probably won't fit us for another 3-4 years so I would love that jam please!!

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  14. The peach jam looks super yummy! I love your recipes, and have tried a couple! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    AndiT

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  15. Ok, you've motivated me to make jam! We live near Parker County and they have a Peach Festival every July. I avoid it due to the heat, but may go this year to score some peaches. Your jam looks delicious!

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  16. Cute blog! The jam looks delicious! My little girl would LOVE your MJ Ellie:) Thanks for doing this fun giveaway!

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  17. Jam looks beautiful, but I love Matilda more than jam! Would love to win it for a little girl who loves to twirl.

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  18. Erin- You make the best goodies! I will have to try that out!Thank you for the giveaway! ~Shevaun

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  19. OOO Erin the jam looks divine...mmm...can I bribe you into sending some to Teaxas? lol

    How generous of you to offer that beautiful Ellie!...and it's dd's size...imagine that? hat luck!

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  21. I just might make my husband some peach jam during peach season this summer.

    I'd love to win the MJ ellie for my daughter named Matilda!

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  22. Erin - your blog is so inspiring, I only wish I could make half of the things you do! Peaches are a favorite in our house and so is Matilda Jane. My sweet Caroline saw your top and said I want that it has Duecey Boy on it (thats my parents dog) when she saw the close up picture of the pug!

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  23. I love home made jam! My MIL makes Strawberry and we have it year round! I would love to win the jam!

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  24. I love your blog Erin!!! I'm always excited to see what you are up to. I'd love to win that ellie, too!!:) You are so sweet!

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  25. Love reading your blog Erin :) You always have the best recipes lol Super sweet for you to do this awesome giveaway!!!!

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  26. Erin, everything you make is divine! I'll have to try that jam. But I'm posting for the adorable ellie. :)

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  27. tough choice, the jam looks so yummy! but i would love a chance to win the ellie, please :)
    thanks!

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  28. YummmY! I am going to try that jam! I'd love a chance at that beautiful Matilda Jane Ellie!

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  29. Oh my heavens, that looks scrumptious! (as does everything you show on your blog ) As much as I would love, love, love that peachy goodness, I have a niece who would look amazing in that ellie.

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  30. How nice of you to give that Ellie away! And that jam... yummy!!

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  31. such a difficult choice, I am a JAM lover! Bit the ellie has a pug on it, and we have a pug so I have to say, MJ Ellie :)
    you rock!

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  32. jam looks delish and that ellie is super cute!! :)

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  33. Would love some of that jam! :)

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  34. Oh, I love them both! I think you also need to share your peach cobbler recipe...I love that!!!

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  35. I'd love a chance to win the ellie. Another great demo too - yum!

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  36. Have tried multiple recipes from your blog....all fabulous! Would love a shot at the Mj!

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  37. wow that jam looks amazing..going to check out all the other stuff too. Would love a chance to win that beautiful Ellie. Thanks!!!!

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  38. The jam looks delicious! I would love a chance to win that beautiful Ellie though! Thanks!! :)

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  39. Looks yummy as always Erin. ~Ronda

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  40. You make it look so easy (and delish!) You pretty jars are almost as gorgeous as that MJ Ellie (which we would love a chance at.)

    Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  41. I would love a chance to win that gorgeous ellie.

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  42. I'm going to make your Jam myself and I would love to win the adorable ellie!

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  43. Oh the jam looks wonderful---makes me want to go make a loaf of homemade bread to go with it.

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  44. Omg, I'm hungry now, thanks, lol! Looks yummy! Is love a chance for the ellie. Thx!

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  45. Thanks for the chance to win. You've inspired to me try to make some jam!

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  46. I just added your blog to my following list

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  47. I would love to have a chance to win that Ellie for my little one!

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  48. I've always wanted to try but I'm a lazy cook. Love cooking that isn't a lot of work. :)

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  49. Wow, your peach jam looks amazing! Great job. I'd love to win the preserves!

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  50. I would so love to have that Jam Erin!! Delicious!!!

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  51. What a great giveaway! As much I love MJ, it's too big for my dd and I think I might love homemade jam even more. :D Mom & I have been making strawberry jam for the past weeks so I would love to have a little variation!!

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  52. Girl how could I resist your jam? Lol

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  53. I would love to be included for a chance at that Ellie - SOOO Cute and my daughter has those shorties to go with it!
    Your jam looks super yummy too!

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  54. Yummy! Your peach jam looks so good and you make it look so easy which I'm sure it is not!! Can you replace the sugar with splenda?

    That is so awesome that you are giving away the MJ Ellie!! I would love to have it in our home.

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  55. Another great blog! Would love to see the freezer!!! :-)

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  56. That Jam look delish!!!

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  57. yum..my mom made plum jelly growing up and it's still my favorite. my 4 year old would love that ellie too--thanks for the chance to win your giveaway!

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  58. hello,

    as always i learned something more about wonderful food, thanks! :D i'd really like the peach jam, but have a little girl that would look adorable in the MJ Ellie, so sign me up for that please! Have a great day!

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  59. YUM!!! But since I make my own Jam, I'd love the Ellie for my Ella :)

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  60. OMG!! How awesome for you to do this. The peach jam looks wonderful and that halter is gorgeous!

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  61. I'd be happy with either, but would LOVE to have that Ellie. Great giveaway, Erin.

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  62. YUMMY! I seriously am in awe of you! I dont know how you do it! Every time for amazing then the next! :) You are too sweet to give away the very cute Ellie!

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  63. I would love a chance to win the Ellie. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  64. Wow! That is amazing. You are so talented. The jam & ellie are equally divine! Thanks for the opportunity to win that gorgeousness! You amaze me!

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  65. Great blog Erin!! So glad to be following it! The jam looks delicious. I'd love a chance at that beautiful ellie! Thanks!! :)

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  66. You are so kind Erin!! :) I would love a jar of peach jam ;)

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  68. I'm drooling over that gorgeous MJ ellie! It's the prefect size for my daughter too! Great giveaway!

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  69. wow - thanks for the tutorial on the jam. i follow your blog and would love a chance at the gorgeous Matilda Jane Ellie - thanks!!

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  70. I LOVE that ellie and sz 6 would be perfect. : ) Love your step by step instructions on the jam, it looks delicious! Maybe I will have to give it a try.

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  71. Would love a chance to win this Ellie for my Ellie:)

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  72. Yum on the jam. I want to try to make some now.

    I would love to be entered for the Ellie please.

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  73. I am such a fan of the Ellies. It would have a good home here, and be SO loved! That peach jam looks delish - looks like I'm gonna be making some real soon... :)

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  74. I would love a chance to win the Ellie! The jam looks fantastic!

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  75. Hi Erin! Mmmmmmmmm, your peach jam looks AMAZING! I'm on a diet, so my mouth is watering! Thanks for the fun drawing! I miss these beautiful MJ Ellies! I would love to win it! :-)

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  76. It looks very yummy! The jam would be great!

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