Good Enough Isn't

Out of all the different ingredients that can be added to a batch of jam (and there are a TON of available options if you're willing to get creative), the one that makes the biggest difference to the end result is the fruit being used.

If you can talk to the individual who planted or watered or weeded or picked the fruit you're planning to use for jam, it's the closest thing to getting a guarantee that your end result will be pretty great stuff.

No matter what experts say, I don't believe that there's a substitute that tastes as good as "field fresh" fruit.

It's true that you CAN make jam from frozen stuff where you don't have to remove stems or seeds or pits, it's also true that it's that frozen taste you're gonna be preserving - and since there will always be more bags of frozen berries available, why would you need to "preserve" that??

For me, it's the difference between a garden tomato and a supermarket tomato.  They're the same thing, but they taste like they're barely related to each other.  So for everyone who says "Well heck - I can BUY jam at the supermarket" - yes, yes you can.  But it's never gonna taste like this.

Nice Going, Moron!

When I came to a decision on what to name this ... this place, "Fall to Grace" seemed to fit.  I strive to be fairly graceful, both in movement and in tact, and a lot of times I fall short.

I try not to take pleasure or smile knowingly when I see someone "put their foot in it" because I've been that person oh so many times.  I've never asked a woman "when are you due?" and have them turned out to not be expecting a child, because simple common sense tells me not to ask that question unless I have confirmed knowledge that she is, in fact, pregnant.  I have, however, managed to put myself in plenty of awkward situations over the decades.  It's not fun.

That being said, I recently was part of an audience to an exchange that, honestly, both pissed me off and humbled me.  Someone - not me - made a "funny" remark as a response to an UN-funny situation because ... well honestly, I don't know why.  I can only guess that their common sense trigger didn't ignite.  To the credit of the recipient of the remark, rather than climb up one side and down the other and dope-slap the moron, the benefit of intent was given and everyone moved on.

Seeing someone do something dumb and taking pleasure in it may not be my way.  However, watching someone do something that good ol' common sense would typically jump up and say "HEY!!!  That's NOT a good idea!   Step away from the snarling, rabid mongoose!" ... well, that's another story.

But I'd rather focus on the actions of the anti-moron (in the above situation) for a moment.  This individual was given a bright green light, red carpet lined runway, all fees paid pass to rip said-moron to shreds, but did not.  Instead the person actively chose to respond with class and grace that I just am in awe over.

I've already had a few awkward moments and exchanges when it comes to my having Parkinson's - nothing major or terribly insulting but still a little "crunchy".  I've made it a point to have everyone feel at ease about asking me questions (which is NOT my nature because of my tendency to protect my privacy at all costs) because I want to be at ease about my Parkinson's.  It's a practice I hope I can continue down the line.  No matter how tempted I may be from the all-fees paid pass to do otherwise.

FMD 2012

Healthy pets (and humans).
Sunny mornings.
Sharing something I think is tasty ... and having others say so, too.

It's June (at last!) and the weather is encouraging the ripening of fruit as you read this.  "FMD" HQ, which is to say our home, has been stocking up on jam jars, tasty ideas, new methods of incorporating flavors, and contacting local farms to warn them we'll be placing fairly decently-sized orders of various fruits as they become available.  (What's a fairly decently-sized order?  How about "Hello Ryan?  Yeah - any chance we'll get those 20 pounds of cherries this week?  Great!  See ya' then.")

Having recently completed creating 7 different strawberry-based flavor combinations (resulting in 75 filled jars), we're planning on moving on to cherry-based jams this weekend.  I'll post pictures of the fruit we're using (because I think the first pic I took looked great - I just need to upload it so I can add it here) and, as the batches are done and stored, will share some of the 2012 new flavors.

I WILL say now that the two taster-jars I brought into work today were overwhelmingly approved.  I don't let anyone just say "nice job" or "mmmm" as I would much rather know what is working - or not - for each flavor (and each taster).  As much as "mmmm" is nifty to hear, it doesn't really inform me much and I'd almost rather hear "uh - yeah - that ... that's too bitter" than just get "mmmm" as a review.

It's nice to create good-tasting things.  It's pretty damn cool to hear others say things like "I know you won't officially SELL these but *oops* this $10 just fell onto your desk."

In short, making jam that folks enjoy makes me smile.  Lucky for them, I like to smile A LOT.

FMD 2012.  Coming soon, to a mailbox near you.