Chunky Syrup

Yesterday morning I picked 25 pounds of strawberries.

In a thunderstorm.

Because that's the kind of lady I am.

Actually, it's because I was already there, without kids, and was not going to drive 30 minutes home just because of a little soaking rain. I'm not made of sugar, nor am I the wicked witch of the West. (Unless you talk to my kids - they may think differently.)

Anywho, I was picking away when the storm came in. The lightening and thunder weren't too close, so I wasn't too worried. Besides, all the people around me were older locals who had lived in Indiana all their lives (yes, I listened in on their conversation), and they didn't seem too worried. I rationalized that if the 'natives' thought it was safe, then I'd be okay.

It wasn't until later that I realized that most of the people you hear about getting struck by lightening are locals who are doing something really stupid or random - like picking strawberries in an open field in an electrical storm.

Anywho, this is what 25 pounds of strawberries looks like:

I spent the rest of the morning washing and cutting the tops off. Oh, and protecting them from greedy little boy hands. (I swear Josh swiped at least a pound of berries himself! That boy lurrrves his strawberries.)

Then I made some freezer jam. I love freezer jam. My mom always made regular jam, but my grandma Roper made freezer jam, and it always felt like such a treat to have it at her house. So that's why I make it now. That, and I have no desire to deal with canning.

There's nothing prettier than the color of fresh strawberry freezer jam, especially against a blue wall. I wish my pictures were better, but none of them turned out so well.

Apparently, neither did my jam. Not one of them set right. Dang it!! They set so nicely last year, but this year they're more like chunky strawberry syrup rather than jam. But not to worry, because chunky strawberry syrup still tastes excellent on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and toast. And we will be enjoying PB&CSS sandwiches all year. (Peanut Butter and Chunky Strawberry Syrup)

On a random note, the best chunky syrup (which, by the way, would make an excellent name for a rock band) I have ever had was in the middle of nowhere at Lance's Grandpa Red's house. (Okay, he lived in 29 Palms CA; but if you've ever been there, you'll agree that it really is in the middle of nowhere.) Anyway, Grandpa Red had a secret, artery-clogging, coma-inducing, palate-loving recipe for chunky syrup: put about 2 cups of syrup, a cup of chunky peanut butter, and a whole cube of butter into a syrup holder. Microwave until melted and well mixed. Pour liberally and enjoy the few minutes you have left on earth as your arteries slowly clog.