Cherry Jam

While taking a walk one morning I noticed a bunch of cherry pits on the pavement, I glanced to my right and saw a tree loaded with the prettiest cherries! They were yellow with a bit of a red blush and while a little smaller than bing cherries, they were plump, juicy and at the peak of ripeness. True confession time: I am that person... Yep, I am the person that walks up to a stranger's door and asks if they have any plans for the gorgeous fruit Mother Nature has provided. In exchange for them letting a crazy woman swing from the branches of their tree (and no doubt providing them an hours worth of entertainment-if the video goes viral please let me know:@) I did gift them a jar of Cherry Jam.

How important is it to act quickly when you see something like fruit at it's peak? 

Two days later there wasn't one cherry left on that tree! 

Now, you know I love my kitchen toys but what cherry pitter did I use? The one God gave me, I simply squeezed the pit out of the cherries into my other hand. It worked great, and yes, my fingers did get stained but it washed off... eventually:@)

Cherry Jam-from Sure Jell

This makes about 8 half pints.

4 C chopped cherries, stemmed, pitted and washed-I gave mine a quick whirl in the food processor

1/4 C fresh lemon juice

1 box pectin

5 C sugar

1/4 tsp almond extract, optional-I didn't use this

1. Mix cherries, lemon juice and pectin in a large pot, bring to a hard boil, stirring constantly.
2. Add sugar, bring to a hard boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute.
3. Skim foam off top of jam if needed. Fill jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
4. Count the pings and love life!

The gifts of the season are always the sweetest...
 Have a happy day:@)