We’re renting our house in McMinnville and lucked into a backyard full of food. There’s an herbal garden that got Graham excited from day one, a rhubarb plant that had my name on it, two blueberry bushes that are full full full right now of green berries and I have been warned about the birds, two apples trees, and a eight foot long bunch of raspberry canes.
Those canes have been producing a ton of raspberries and the unripe ones show we still have weeks ahead of us, so I knew I had to develop some canning skills.
My past attempts of making jam has been mixed. I have made my share of rubber cement and I have made a couple of edible jars. My first attempt making raspberry jam a week ago ended up producing terrific syrup.
I have now switched recipes (Back to the Ball pamphlet) and yesterday managed to make several jars for enjoyable edible consumption. Also tried to dry some (so-so results) and made some leather (that was better).
I’m learning!
goingplaceslivinglife 
June 27, 2014 at 11:26 am
Raspberries freeze really well too! There is so much pectin in the seeds already you hardly need any extra for jam, one the reasons I like making raspberry jam so much. Just found your blog today, from a lifelong Oregonian may I say, welcome!
June 27, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Thanks! We’re really enjoying it here. I have frozen some of the berries and will be picking more tomorrow. I’ll make more jam, probably jazzing it up a bit with some of the herbs we also have growing.
June 23, 2014 at 9:22 pm
Life is so awesome when you are stretching and reaching out to do new things, it all sounds like great fun.
June 23, 2014 at 12:23 pm
You are so lucky! I will be making my own jams this year too. I’ll have to buy the fruit though. Great post!!
June 23, 2014 at 2:41 pm
It’s so worth it. Perhaps you can find out where someone has some fruit that either they need picked for sale or perhaps it is just not being picked. I will be helping a local farmer pick their cherry crop soon in exchange for some fruit.
June 23, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Very smart!
June 23, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Looking how to sign up for your blog….we hope to visit France in the next few years. This area of Oregon produces some fantastic pinot noir and we want to spend some time exploring other wine producing areas.
June 23, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Just click follow at the very bottom of any page 😉 I live in the Bordeaux area, which is, as you may know, the largest wine area in France! Hope to see you soon! I have a B&B in St Emilion you know 😉
June 23, 2014 at 2:51 pm
I found the info about your b&b and how your life has changed. Had gotten slowed down by the text and photos; finally found the place to sign up. Thanks
June 23, 2014 at 2:55 pm
I’m glad! Thank you and see you soon in sunny France! 😉
June 23, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Today’s batch went into the freezer.
June 23, 2014 at 11:36 am
My raspberries never seem to make it into a jar. Sissy loves them, too.