Family Ties That Bind

This is a picture of my mom with all eight of her living siblings. Before we were headed to Idaho, mom had mentioned that they were planning a get together while we were visiting and would I be interested in coming. I could tell she really wanted me to go but I just said we'll see when I get there. She asked again after we got there and I said I'd see how I felt after playing golf the day before. The golf turned out to be 16 holes of 50mph wind in our face (only two holes where it was at our back). I told her I would see how I felt when I got up the next morning. Luckly I felt pretty good so I said I'd go. Spencer opted to come with me. Turns out that Spencer & I were the only non-sibling/spouse there.

It was so much fun to see my aunts and uncles. I hadn't seen any of them for several years and it was the first time in a few years that ALL of them were together at one time. I told them right up front that I was going to be obnoxious and take pictures and if it bugged them they would just have to get over it. Luckly they had been planning on some group pictures because I also informed them that it wasn't optional as far as I was concerned.

Everyone had a very nice visit and it was lots of fun listening to them reminisce about "mother" and "father" which is what they all call Grandma & Grandpa Hall.

I have very fond memories of the annual Hall reunions that happened every summer as I was growing up. It was always exciting to anticipate seeing cousins, aunts and uncles--and there were lots of us. It's funny how blood ties can create a real sense of family with people you only see once maybe twice a year. Those were some very happy times.

It was hard to get all those siblings to sit still, look in the right place and stop giggling and talking. They were almost worse than pre-schoolers! I took lots and lots of photos of each group (girls, boys, both and both w/spouses) so I could be sure to get at least one good one. Luckily I did get at least one good one of each group.

It was an awesome day and I am so very glad I went.

(If you are interested in seeing or having photos just let me know and I will send you a Picasa link to them all)

I Love Freezer Jam!

It's true, I love freezer jam! I have a particular fondness for raspberry. That is why I took the time just before leaving for Idaho to do a little freezer jam processing today. I guess I should have visited my freezer before buying all the raspberries I purchased today. If I had done that I would have discoverd about 18 more similar containers of raspberry and strawberry jam! I guess I thought we ate more of it from last year. Oh well.
But, I didn't visit before purchasing 4 flats of raspberries (or were they 1/2 flats--I always get confused) so what can you do but get them ready for freezing. It's not like we are going to eat them all--especially since we are leaving on Saturday for Idaho. So, I get the less sugar/no sugar pectin and off I go.
I purchased the blue plastic containers several years ago on sale. I guess I didn't remember purchasing so many (between those pictured here and the ones already in the freezer from last year). I was trying to get just enough raspberries to fill the little blue containers that I had that were empty. Unfortunately, I always overestimate in my berry purchasing. Happens every year (maybe that's why there is so much in my freezer). Luckily I learned the trick from my mom of freezing the jam in freezer baggies otherwise I would have been in trouble with my four boxes of raspberries. The baggies keep just as nicely as the containers.
I don't know how to can. Never really learned, so it's the freezer method for me. I always preferred the freezer kind anyway.