My family and I just returned from spending two weeks in our native South Dakota, were we got to see many family and friends. We were able to help Jason's cousin Stacy and new husband Aaron celebrate their wedding, and catch up with family members that we don't usually get to see but once a year. We were both very blessed to be brought up in small communities in South Dakota where friends and family are the cornerstone of the community itself. Communities like the one I grew up in (Burke, SD) are made up of some truly phenomenal people. Today I am honoring the life of one of these amazing people; Ardelle Davis. Ardelle was one of those people who you see walking down the street...she see's you, and she would immediately speed up to come greet you with a hug. Ardelle was known … [Read more...]
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
Harrison and I came back to my home town, Burke, SD to visit my family for a couple weeks. Unlike last summer, they've had lots of rain and sunshine, which has helped the local crops and gardens grow leaps and bounds. My dad's strawberry patch is no exception. I've never seen strawberry plants as full and plentiful as these. Dad has picked several gallons of strawberries so far this summer, filling up their freezer for fall and winter. Since they have a nice sized rhubarb plant, I thought hmmmm, what could we make with copious amounts of strawberries and rhubarb? Jam!!! I raided mom's basement pantry of miscellaneous jars, picked up some jar flats, and pectin at the local grocery store, and pulled out the big pot. In a couple … [Read more...]