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