Hi Jessica!!! I wanted to say that I lost my mom in November 2020 and I was so grateful for all the memories she gave me. I see you giving those same type of memories to your children. The ones that even a certain smell can bring them right back to your kitchen in their minds. You are doing a great service for them. These things are precious and special and held in the heart forever. Keep doing it lady.... 😊😊😊 your Michigan Fan and Friend Araminta 🎉🎉🎉
I am so sorry for you loss. :( I know how you must feel. I lost my mom too, 6 months ago. I'm 26 and she was only 53. She was brutally murdered. Not much gets harder than that 💕 but God is THE just God, and to trust and hope in HIM alone!
Jessica, I REALLY appreciate that you explain "best practice" canning and why you choose the way you do it. I don't mind folks that can things a little differently than what is recommended, but I also want to know if it isn't what is advised. Makes it clear for beginners. Thank you for that!
Loved to see how you store blueberries! For berries jam I replace 20% of berries with dried cranberries that I prevoiusly soaked in water the night before, strained and processed with a mixer to make a a kind of paste. Cranberries have a lot of pectin and replacing 20% of any berry and even a berry mix jam you will not need to add pectin powder. It also makes you jam super delicious ❤
Look at little Hanna falling asleep in the best and safest place in the world for her and her busy mom, on momma’s back. We carry our littles ones on our backs too in my country, and they just love it. Our toddlers often come dragging their blankie when they feel sleepy, wanting to be carried on mom’s back - it is comforting to them.
I really wish I were your neighbor. I love your videos. I probably have told you they bring me such peace in the crazy world in which we live. The simple life is really far more rewarding than anything. Thank you Jessica. ❤
WoW, I feel overwhelmed with 10-15 pounds of fruit. You rock that out dancing along with Hannah 😀 I appreciate that you mention when your canning methods differ from recommendation 😊 Hope your week is great
Three River FAMILY Homestead I love seeing everyone working so diligently & gracefully together. Thank you for sharing your BEAUTIFUL Family with us. #️⃣1️⃣🕊️💜🙌🏻✝️
What a good feeling you must have to have accomplished all those berries and potatoes. Job well done. Looking forward to seeing how you finish your garden harvest.
Jessica, I started rocking with you when your were rocking Hannah of to sleep; and my baby (youngest) is 21yrs old! Just love your content. I always learn a lot even though I’m old enough to be your mum. Keep on sharing your knowledge - it’s valuable. My the Lord continue to bless your and your loved ones. 🌹Rosie of Oz🇦🇺 & 🐶Omega the Cavalier🐶
What a Great feeling to have fresh fruit on hand to feed your family. No guilt feeding your kids wholesome food. At least if your kids want a snack you can give them something nutritious and good for them.
I look forward to watching your video every Sunday morning as I drink my first cup of coffee. I remember the times of busy days of canning and freezing for my family. As a senior, you wear me out just watching you but what a lovely life. Thank you!
Hey 👋👋 Jessica my Friend n @Three Rivers Homestead , NaNa is here 👀💭 learning so much on canning that Im taking notes for it ❤💟❤❗... Lil Hannah is so content tho thru it all 😮😅, I wish I had known all this as my kids grew up 😉💭❗.. Your kids are all so helpful n enjoy helpin ya 👏💥👏Momma❗... What a joy n how easy you help us to lean to Can n cook with fresh foods Jess 💃✨💃❗... I ❤ the sway n dance you do n 👀💭 Hannah does too to nap contently on your back 😊😅❗... Thanks for Sharing , sending yall bunches of love 💗❤💗 always 😇😘❗
One of my very favorite channels! Thank you so much for creating this soothing, educational, wholesome content and sharing your beautiful mind / family / home with all of us!
I live it! Low impact aerobics, rocking baby on your back! For years after my babies were much bigger, if I heard a baby crying in the store etc, I’d start rocking back n forth automatically! Lol
Good morning. Wow! That is a lot of blue berries. Hannah is so precious falling asleep on your back. Typical baby, cant fight the motion of being carries or a vehicle. Lol 💜 That is awesome being able to get that amount of home grown fruit like that. We dont have large farms like that close by us, unfortunately. My grandkids love blueberries 🫐 like your kids do. I look forward to your video on Sunday mornings. I have learned a lot of tricks of saving and reusing food products. Have a blessed day and thank you. 🙏🏻💜🌻
I saw someone using one of those metal hair pick combs to pierce blueberries. They put their blueberries in a bowl, stuck the comb in and pulled out all the pierced blueberries which they then put on the tray. Haven't tried it myself. I love using frozen blueberries in my oatmeal in the winter time.
I really appreciate that you clarify when some of your canning methods are not exactly the same as the recommended method.. A lot of new canners don’t know the difference and many people’s online videos or posted canning practices that are not the recommended practices are hailed as THE way to do it. I feel that new canners should know when the method in the post they are interested in trying is or is not USDA approved, and should be able to make an informed choice as to which method to adopt..
Hi if your interested, blueberries have enough pectin in them as they are. I squeeze some lemon juice and sugar into the crushed berries to taste and can them water-bath for 30 min. They gel up thick every time. It doesn't work for every fruit but you don't need any outside sugar or pectin at all
Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, love , and peace all over the world 🌏. I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust so as time goes on it will bring something great for us in the future, hope you don't mind? I'm Thaoms Gabriel from Brooklyn New York, where are you from if I may ask
Thank you for the great blueberry ideas. I am zone 9 Florida. Last year we got the opportunity to purchase mature blueberry bushes from a local u-pick farm who was clearing one small field to build a home. We purchased a dozen bushes at $20 per bush, 6 we planted & 6 our son did. We were rich in blueberries this spring. The bushes were a little over 5’ tall & the farmer scooped them up & set them onto a long equipment trailer for us. 12 bushes filled the trailer. He further instructed us to sit them on a good bed of pine bark chips for acidity. It worked very well in our climate. I made jam & froze several dozen gallons plus shared the bounty. In early spring 2024 at harvest time I will plan to make your pie filling & can some. Thank you💚.
Wow I think you hit the jackpot! I would have done the same. We are Also in Florida! I've also heard about topping with pine needles . I am going to save your advice for growing for when we plant.
Hey Jessica! I just started watching but wanted to go ahead and comment before I forget or get interrupted. We have multiple blueberries and also have clay (central VA here!) the ones in the middle of our garden are not thriving, I don't know if it's the variety or soil or both. We do the no till method and use woodchips. The ones that are thriving are at the edge of our garden near the woods, the ones that are truly thriving are the Tifblue, they are prolific and cold hardy, up to 6 feet. I cannot recommend this variety enough. We have done nothing special for them and they just produce like crazy! Hope you have an amazing week, God Bless you all!
Good afternoon my dear friend, all things blueberry looks oh so good!! I love how you provide for your family! Iam going to try making some jam, with just the sugar and pectin, I only need a small amount for myself, son and daughter, thank you for always making me want to be better! Look forward to seeing you mid-week!
Good morning, Jessica I'm glad you feeling better and healing beautifully. I am going to take beekeeping class next week and see if that is something I can handle. When you ready I hopeyou can share more information and tips on that subject. Meanwhile, I found your videos motivation especially during summer when last thing I want to do is bake in the kitchen. #everybitcountchallenge works much better for me that try to tackle huge canning day. I just order my first pressure canner and hoping to focus on meat preserving. Thank you for everything. May God bless you and keep you 🙏 ❤
Your little Ben drying his hands on his pants, ☺. Little Hannah, such a happy baby. Loved the blueberry preserves. Sorry for the delayed comment. Love you guys. *Hugs*
Jessica- those blueberries are gorgeous. Up the road from me is the Fairfield’s- just blue with berries. I went raking every summer as a teen, but now it’s one person on a rig that rakes even the sides of the woods snd road leaving none. When I was a young mom, I’d pack up my children and we’d go pick roadside but there’s not even that now. They’re ripening as I can sit here in my backyard and hear what sounds like shotguns. It’s another machine that’s set to ‘fire’ every minute to scare away deer. We use to try and get a couple bowl fulls on the slt, and when those machines were first set up- the owners just sat and laughed cause it would fire and all these heads would poke up looking around 😄. When we ventured back out of the fields being time for our husbands to pick us up, they met us still chuckling at the entertainment, let us keep what we picked but said not to do it anymore. This forced us all to buy berries and they’re so high here. I’m 10 minutes from Nova Scotia and it’s classed as the blueberry capital of the world.
I completely missed this video, I don't think my notifications are working properly. I love the every bit counts challenge. Though I prefer to go head strong and do big batch canning and preserving on the weekends when I'm not working, it's encouraging to many who don't have time to devote a whole day to it. Those blueberries are lovely, I will try some pie filling this year for the first time.
Thank you so much these videos are so educational. We're empty nesters but We been for a few yrs now like 8 growing our own veggies herbs wild plant on our property and try to purchase from all organic sm farmer. Following your channel has gave me courage to can my food thank you so much, as I'm a picky eater more on the vegetarian side i do like some meat but not very big on it. I grow the veggies I or we eat.. so that keeps me from growing something we don't like or will not eat. And watching your videos make it so smooth that i can do this, i just need to buy a pressure cooker, I've always put my fruit and veggies in freezer. My herbs I always cure them to keep the freshness. Thank so much you are a wonderful lady. Your family are bless.🤗🥰
Lovely presentation. It's been a rough year with out cleaning out and closing on my FIL's estate, where time to preserve up to this point has been limited, and sadly with all the rain and heat, my garden looks a trifle bit overwhelmed. Blueberry season is just beginning here in NH, and like yourself, my shrubs don't do great, so I will seek out a farm to acquire them. Here in NH our farm stands can be quite expensive, but there are options. I wanted to say, I appreciated you sharing about how you freeze blueberries, and they why, as I have always flash frozen to prevent them from sticking. You have saved me a step. My jams I do not use any of the powder formula's for making the jam, but thank you for mentioning the Pomona's brand, as I have never heard of it before. I don't use a lot of sugar, yet it does take longer as one needs to keep watch, yet after reading up on it, this particular brand is perfect for what I am willing to use, in also using less sweetener. Thank you so much!! Also, it was a delight to see you move/dance with Hannah on your back. Babies love to be rocked, and yet momma's need to get their chores done. Blessings to you and your family ❤
I just love watching you put away food! I don't grow enough to put away lots, put this year I've already made some jams and jellys and more is to come. Love it!
I freeze dried peaches, cherries and carrot tops. I couldn't fit all of the carrot tops on my three small freeze dryer trays, so I froze those. I can add the frozen carrot tops when making broths. I fit the freeze dried tops in a quart jar and vacuum sealed them. I had to squish them down to fit them. I can't wait to can potatoes. Such a great feeling to have canned foods for quick meals. Glad your doing better.❤
Thank you Jessica! Sounds like you are feeling better, that’s great! Little Hannah is getting big quickly! Your gardens are gorgeous!! Our is off to a late start. We haven’t even gotten any summer squash yet. A few cherry tomatoes though 😊You have a blessed week also.
Oh my goodness, where has July gone?!? I shall relish the last few days. Winter comes quickly here in Canada. I hope August and September are kind to us. Love to all from the North!
1st...you are a super-parent. I thought potatoes came from a box until I was 10 years old. So, you probably think you are doing the minimum for your family, but you ROCK! Thanks for the video... :)
In our area at this time of year store bought blueberries are still coming from other countries and so flavorless, like much produce from long distances. Back when I used to make lots of jams one of my favorites was blueberry. My problem is that now that it is just me it is doubtful I would even use half a pint of any flavor jam per year.
This video was amazingly helpful to me. I am a fairly new canner, and it was inspiring to see how much food that you preserved in a day with just a small sized canner. I have that same size Presto canner, so thank you for showing me what I will be able to accomplish. Also, your baby is precious!
Wow! Love how you tackle each canning project and share why and how with us. All the while caring for miss Hannah and hungry boys. Again I go into a new week with new knowledge from your homestead. The garden is so bountiful. Have a blessed week.
When my nephew was a year old, his mom and I went blueberry picking. My sister-in-law had Tommy in a backpack, and when we had finished and she transferred him from the backpack to the car seat, it became apparent that he had been very, very busy stuffing his face with blueberries that he had picked from his high position in the backpack! Kids do seem to love them.
Hi from Tasmania, Australia.. I found you by accident.. and I found your info very helpful as I live in the bush.. so canning and preserving is essential.
What do you do to reset yourself? You are at a very time of your life with toddlers and an infant. I know you have older children to help out, but what is your “ me time”? I just love harvest time in the Summer. Nothing like a fresh cantaloupe or watermelon for a refreshing, sweet treat on a hot day! It also feels good to put up the bounties for upcoming meals too. I have running menus for meals in my head that I need to get type out.
Hi Jessica those blueberries looked delicious. You must so great giving your kids fresh fruit. There is nothing like fresh fruit to snack on. Hope you have a wonderful day. Robyn
I love how your videos are full of motivation and information, yet very soothing and peaceful. Sipping from my cup of coffee while watching you this morning. Have a great week! ❤
I always enjoy your preservation videos. We do things somewhat similarly or think similarly in terms of wasted time and effort. Loved the back and forth to keep baby happy. That was me in every line I was in with baby!
I’m ready for the challenge. Currently I am harvesting my garden and my neighbors garden who is on vacation for 10 days so my pantry is getting pretty full at the moment. and also taking care of her chickens, so I get to keep those eggs as well. I’m really happy about that.
Hi Jessica. I am humbly requesting a brief spot on dehydration preservation for those of us that can’t justify the $$$ of a freeze dryer. I was gifted a huge instant pot and really would like to find preservation use. Nothing detailed (I know these vids are time consuming) but a chat about what your experience that produces a worthwhile, acceptable product. Thank you for your consideration!
Happy Sunday! Another amazing, fun week on your homestead. I think your blueberry prices are great! We are in IN and you pick this year was $2.50 lb or pre pick $3.75 lb. My husband has been going to the same blueberry farm for 36 years total and this was our 28th year going together. The same family has owned the entire time and is on the 3rd generation. The grandmother who started it told him that you plant for the next generation as it takes 20 years for the bushes to produce at full yield. We are also lucky with being close to amish to purchase what we dont grow. I always look forward to your videos each week. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Ya!!! I just binged watched last year's #everybitcountschallenge gearing up for this year to do it myself and I couldn't be more excited for this video today!
Hello Miss Jessica. Thank you for another wonderful video. It was blueberry week for our house too. Many little mouths were full of lovely berries and, yes, little hands make the best "helpers". Have a glorious week! -K
Wow! 🫐🫐🫐 I have never seen bulk blueberries like that available for purchase. How wonderful to be able to source them like that and at that wonderful quality. And so funny watching the kids munching away through them. So many for such small boys!!! 😂
Grow your blueberries in a birdies bed. Or a 2 foot high raised bed. I have 3 in a 4x4x2 raised bed and I give them a bag of ground coffee every spring and again late fall. During the blooming season I give them leftover coffee. It keeps the soil acidic. They're on the down end of a hill to keep them from acidifying other raised beds.
You are such a loving mother and hard worker. Your children are adorable! Hannah was so cute falling sleep while you were working. You definately get your exrcise! With your arms and hands working and you swaying back and forth with the baby on your back, it looked like you were doing a form of aewrobics! Thanks for another informative and entertaining video. Blessings!
Such a twinge of longing in my heart when I see you baby wearing - but I cant tell if i long to wear a baby or if i long to be the baby being rocked to sleep! 🤣🤣🤣
appreciate you showing how you save time balancing the projects. this is something I aim for, but don't always do. I can do it in the oven, but appreciate the canning projects...especially with peak canning season coming on quick.
Ohhh blueberries!!! 😍 I should see if I can find somewhere where it's a you pick deal! My daughter loves blueberries as we are allergic to strawberries!! I would love to participate in the every bits counts challenge but I'm expecting my second baby August 10th!! I will definitely be trying my best to get out into the garden everyday but it might slack this year!! 😅❤ All my Love!!!
I remember reading in a nutrition class that the fiber in a potato is in the peeling. Always eat the peeling. If not then dehydrate, turn to powder and add to food.
My son loves fruit like your little ones and he eats it the same until he’s fit to pop! I did learn that blueberries are good to help over exam times, can’t remember why now but I’ve always made sure he’s had a good serving of blueberries each day around the exam times. Not that it’s ever been a problem him eating them 😂 he always chooses fruit over chocolate and biscuits etc, sadly my daughters the opposite, she only eats pink lady apples that have been in the fridge so they’re hard and pineapple, much fussier than my son x
Jessica- you are SUCH an inspiration to me! Thank you ❤️ I wanted to share our FAVORITE gluten free blueberry crisp recipe (with no refined sugar!) Our kids are crazy about blueberries, and that is an understatement! We eat blueberries (frozen or fresh) every single day, often multiple times a day! (Costco organic frozen blueberries are $2.97/lb- so I always prioritize room in the budget for those) Filling: 6 cups blueberries Juice of 1 lemon (or about 2 tbsp bottled juice) Zest of 1 lemon (or tsp lemon extract) 1 tbsp tapioca starch (or any starch- just to coat every blueberry!) Optional- 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp maple syrup for extra sweet deliciousness:) Topping- 3/4 cups rolled oats 3/4 cup blanched almond flour OR oat flour (grind it quick in the blender!) 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey) 1/4 cup coconut oil (or butter, olive oil) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1tsp vanilla extract Grease pie pan or medium glass casserole pan. Add the all of the filling ingredients and mix together until everything is evenly coated. Mix the topping ingredients together in a separate bowl until it resembles coarse cookie dough. Crumble it over the top, and bake at 375° for 40 minutes or so (until your kitchen smells delicious and the the top is brown and crispy!) We are in the middle of a move for a job and living in a hotel temporarily, but at home I would make this atleast 2x a week for our blueberry fix! Dalloped with some greek yogurt (or whipped cream!) Makes the kids feel like they are eating a dessert (but this entire recipe is so low on sugar!)
A side note. If you look on the bottom of the containers that you are reusing you should find a triangle shape with a number. That tells you how many times you can reuse the container before it begins to leach chemicals into the food. If there is no number, it’s a one time use.
