Friends

Grama’s Tomato Jam

claudiaMay 21, 2011Friends, Good Eats

Yesterday, Lisa Schoolcraft, who’s a long-time friend, and I got to talking about tomato jam. Why? Because I’d just tried it for the first time in my life, and Lisa told me she had her grandmother’s old recipe which she makes from time to time.

Now that the tomatoes are starting to get bigger and ripen in our gardens, Lisa shared her Grama’s recipe for tomato jam. Simple and classic, this basic recipe sounds delish…but feel free to improvise!

Tomato Jam

From the Kitchen of Margaret Quick

5 cups tomatoes

5 cups sugar (but don’t worry, Lisa says you can cut this amount by half at least!)

Cook 20 minutes. Add large box of raspberry flavored gelatin (or strawberry). Boil another 5 minutes. You can add a little lemon juice and/or substitute unflavored gelatin for flavored. Be sure to dip the tomatoes quickly in boiling water first to remove the skins, or else you’ll be pulling out curled-up tomato skins from

your jam. 🙂

Once cooled, put the jam in glass jars. (You can also can it if you like.) Keep refrigerated and the jam will last a long time. This recipe makes plenty so you’ll have lots to share. Enjoy!

Pear-It Forward

Making Biscuits in the Black Belt

High on Pie

Lessons in Beekeeping

Mr. Brock’s Blueberry Lemonade

claudiaMay 13, 2011Friends, Good Eats

Our friend Wendell is one heckuva food writer. He’s also a theatre critic, features writer, food stylist and, yes of course, he can cook, too. Read his ideas for a perfect spring picnic right here. And then, if you have some time this weekend, make his blueberry lemonade. We made it today, and Adrian, Adam and Archie gulped down the whole pitcher after school. Thanks, Wendell, for the great recipe. Happy picnicking!

Blueberry Lemonade
A brew of fresh blueberries, lemon juice and sugar, this glorious summer libation tastes as bright and vivid as it looks. We suspect it would be delicious spiked with sparkling wine or vodka. Be sure to save a few blueberries for garnish.

Hands on: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4-6

1 cup fresh blueberries, washed and drained
1 1/3 cup sugar, divided
2 1/4 quarts water, divided
1 cup lemon juice
1 lemon sliced
Mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
A handful of blueberries, for garnish (optional)

Place blueberries, 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries have softened and begun to leach their color, about 5 minutes. (The syrup will be a bright purple.) Strain blueberry juice into a pitcher, and let cool briefly. Mix in the lemon juice, the additional 1/3 cup of sugar and two quarts of water. Stir well. Taste to adjust for sweetness, adding more sugar if you like. Toss the sliced lemon into the pitcher. Chill until ready to serve. Pour over ice and garnish with mint sprigs and blueberries.

Per serving, based on 4: 275 calories (percent of calories from fat, 1), 1 gram protein, 68 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, trace fat (no saturated fat), no cholesterol, 4 milligrams sodium.
Recipe reposted from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 12, 2011.

Pear-It Forward

Making Biscuits in the Black Belt

High on Pie

Lessons in Beekeeping

Jinju visits the farm

claudiaMay 10, 2011Animals, Friends

One of the contractors helping out at our place brought his Lab pup Jinju for a visit last weekend, and Lola immediately adopted him
(the pup, that is).

The Divinity Within Us

claudiaApril 22, 2011Friends, Inspiration, Life-Work

We’re back today with another installment of “How’s Your Oxygen?” This occasional little series shares ideas and inspiration from folks who run around each day trying to happily manage their busy lives, just like you. This month we’re throwing the spotlight on Randy Siegel, founder of Build Your Leaders, which helps foster today’s – and tomorrow’s – organizational leaders. (Disclosure: Randy was my boss at Fleishman-Hillard for several years and that relationship turned into a lasting friendship, for which I’m most thankful.) Here’s what he has to say.

So, Randy, when you were in the heyday of your PR career, did you ever feel like the walls were starting to close in?
You bet. Several times. The worst was when I was going through a divorce and one of my top people announced that she was leaving the firm. I was hoping to be able to coast a while until I could get my feet back on the ground. The Universe had other plans, however.

What advice would you give young people today about making it to the top without losing one’s way?
Be clear on what your core values are. Core values are those values that you live your life by. Compromise those, and you’ll compromise yourself.

Do you remember a particular moment when you thought, “A-ha, I’ve finally made it.” And, if so, how did that feel?
Never. Life is a journey. I believe we’re always in the process of “making it.”

You’re an author, coach, trainer, artist. Does all of that ever become overwhelming to you or does it just feel great?
I believe the secret to living a meaningful life is striving to become the full expression of all you are. Writing, training, coaching and painting are all ways that I express myself. I read a wonderful passage today that speaks to this: “We all have a deep longing to create from the divinity within us. But what that creation is like is different for each individual.”

How do you find time to “just breathe”?
Nature does this for me. Every time I look at the mountains — I live in Asheville, NC — I take a deep breath and say a prayer of gratitude. I’ve lived here for more than twelve years, and I still don’t take the beauty that surrounds me for granted. When I lived in Atlanta walking in Piedmont Park did the same thing for me.

What mountains haven’t you conquered?
I’ve done well in the world of business, but I have yet to master matters of love. I’m in the process of writing a book on breakups. That I know about, but how to maintain a successful intimate relationship is a lesson I have yet to learn.

Are you a two-sided southerner?

‘Our Consistently Surprising Alabama’

15 Years, 15 Blessings

Adopted Alabamians

Kids on Ponies

claudiaApril 17, 2011Animals, Friends

Ah, do such pictures ever get old? Here’s 9-year-old Nestor on his new pony, “Jack.” Jack is now living at our friends’ farm in SC after a nice career as a competition driving pony (which basically means he pulled carts for ribbons). He stands barely 12hh (which in horse talk means 12 “hands” tall). This friendly little fella loves kids and dozing off in his stall. In fact, we’re told you can even go in the stall and snooze with him any time you like. Jack won’t mind. 🙂