On Monday, I was able to quickly pick about 6 lbs. before it became too rainy. On Tuesday, my grandmother and I returned to the field, where we worked right through the rain and picked 115 lbs. of strawberries in a couple hours!
I drove home later that day, unpacked, and immediately began the massive task of washing, capping, and canning the many strawberries. 
Sheridan was a great helper washing the strawberries. Unfortunately, she only stuck around long enough to have her picture taken! 
I spent all of yesterday and today canning the strawberries and am pleased to be totally done! God kindly blessed my efforts and I enjoyed hearing the "pop" of the successful sealing of each jar. I canned 150 half pints of jam with plenty of extra strawberries washed, capped, and ready for strawberry shortcake and strawberry pies. Mama sweetly offered to help me clean the huge amount of sticky strawberry coated dishes and messy kitchen after the work was finished.
My reason for canning so much extra strawberry jam this year is that we are using the jam for wedding favors! I think that strawberry jam will be a creative wedding favor since the reception is going to be held on our farm and will have a casual, country atmosphere. I plan to use twine to tie pretty floral fabric covers over the lids and add a small card stock tag to each one (tied by the twine) printed with our names and wedding date, similar to traditional wedding favors. I hope this unique wedding favor will be something our guests will enjoy in the weeks following our wedding as they recall our momentous day.I have such a delightful feeling of accomplishment. This is the first big completed wedding project!
26 comments:
Wow, what a great accomplishment - and what a neat idea - love it!! :)
My Lord, that's a lot of berries. The favor idea sounds nice and thoughtful.
Sheridan and the berries reminds me of the time I went cherry picking in Western Idaho with my friend and her then little daughter. I think Karla ate more of the cherries than ever hit her pail and that night had diapers to prove it.
Take a break now and breathe!
Meredith,
I think that your wedding favor has to be the best one I have ever heard of something truly sweet and pure and such a reflection of your new life! I think you are such an inspiration to anyone and everyone who you meet whether it be through a cake class or your blog or other ways. You have left such a huge imprint on my heart! I love seeing your true love story with the Lord unfold! Thanks for sharing!
Love Stephanie
Wow...you are a busy little bee :)
I have enjoyed reading your posts.
We pray for you here at the Jones home. We keep your parents in prayer....as we know "these times" are very precious.
much love to your family
I love that idea, Meredith! It's so creative! I'm glad it turned out for you. :-)
Much Love,
Emily
What a great idea! :) I can't get over 115 lbs... wow. Simply amazing.
Blessings,
Luci
Oh my! A HUGE accomplishment!
*groan* I picked strawberries yesterday morning, just 1 flat (10-ish lbs??), and my back cringes at the idea of picking 115 lbs!!! I think it's really neat how you and your grandma were able to spend time together doing that, and then using them for wedding favors... what a wonderful idea! Don't you love seeing the fruits of your labor?
Wow, that's ALOT of strawberries! But that strawberry jam looks so good! I love the idea of using them as wedding favors...what a sweet personal touch! :)
Wonderful favor!
That is wonderful! I love strawberries
What a great idea, Meredith! That was quite an accomplishment. You should be very proud of yourself!
Wonderful!!! What a great idea Meredith. I love it!
Lisa Q
I think using the strawberry jam as a wedding favor is an awsome idea! Something that is a part of your labor and something that people will enjoy! That's alot of strawberries!
Connie Leis
WOW! that was a lot of strawberries. We went strawberry picking not to long ago, loved it. What a creative wedding favor! How is planning going?
They look great! I did homemade blackberry jam for my wedding favors last summer. One word of caution, though: if you have guests flying in from out of town, they may have a difficult time bringing their jam home. If you have the time (and berries), I'd recommend making a small batch to can in small airplane-friendly jars.
Meredith, I absolutely love the idea of fresh strawberry jam as wedding favors! What a sweet, creative gift! Good work!
That is the greatest idea for favors I've heard yet. Perfectly wonderful!
That is great, Meredith! Such a sweet wedding favor (pun intended). ;)
Meredith, your incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm could only come from God Himself. You are such an inspiration to us all!
It must feel so nice to have your favors completed and out of the way. It was a great choice, not something you have to make right before the big day so you're not too overwhelmed.
Take care!
YUMMY, I absolutely love strawberry jam. Using the jam as a wedding favor is such a neat idea! Thanks for sharing with all of us.
In His Unfailing love,
Ali Ann
What a brilliant idea Meredith!!! And my goodness what a task you completed! It sounded like fun picking strawberries with your Grandma! How cozy!
I also loved your listings of your favorite posts that you read last week!
Much love your way!!! :)
Wow! That's a lot of strawberries and a lot of jam! Great job getting that all canned! I bet it feels really good to get a project like that done. :)
~Marissa
WOW great job! Congratulations. You are indeed a hard worker.
Wow! How very sweet and thoughtful. And such hard work!! Amazing.
Wow. That is SO. Much. Work. that you did! My hat's off to you! :) :) I bet it feels really good to have it all done! And I love the idea for wedding favors. So personal!
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