After we were married, I asked Grandma Verna for the recipe and she told me there really was no recipe it was only this: “Clean up a bunch of fresh berries, throw in some sugar and pectin, boil it up in a pot and put it in a jar”.  Boom, simple, done.

About six years ago I started making a version of this, and it’s a family favorite. (I originally wrote about this recipe four years ago, but sadly the pictures went “poof!” so I recreated it for y’all again.) These mixed berry preserves are a simple concoction that yields the very best mixed berry preserves I’ve ever tasted, and validates that age old culinary philosophy, “simple is best!” 

I start with Verna’s “recipe” but add some citrus zest, and then can it so we can enjoy it in the coldest winter months. This recipe and assembly are so simple, you can’t mess it up, you can’t!  It’s much lower in sugar so that the fruit really steals the show.

Ingredients:

6 baskets of strawberries (6 oz. each)

6 baskets of raspberries (4 oz each)

6 baskets of blackberries (4 oz each)

Juice from 2 lemons

Zest from 1 large orange

2 cups sugar

Low or No sugar Pectin

8 wide mouth 16 ounce canning jars + lids

First, start with good fruit. Find it at your local grocery store, or at the farmer’s market but get a bunch of seasonal berries that are perfectly ripe and you’re in business. You can mix in other berries too, whatever you like, go crazy, add blueberries or boysenberries or Logan berries, etc. 

You’ll also need two lemons, an orange, some sugar, and low sugar pectin.

Begin by trimming your strawberries and rinsing all of your fruit.  You should end up with 2 large pots of fruit, but set them aside for now.

You’ll need to first sterilize your canning jars first in a large pot to avoid any bacteria issues. I use my enamel canning pot to do so.

One time Matt found my giant canning pot in the pantry when he was in a purging mood and said, “Can we get rid of this, what is this for anyway?” and I screamed “Neeeevvvverrrrrrr” just like Luke Skywalker in the final duel in Return of the Jedi when Vader says “If you will not turn to the Dark Side, then perhaps she will.” 

That was an exaggeration, but truly I could never part with my giant enamel pot.

You can buy a similar pot with helpful canning utensils on Amazon here. Use the pot to submerge clean jars with a jar lifter in boiling water for 5 minutes to sterilize them, and set aside on a kitchen towel.

After your jars are sanitized, mix your fruit together, and place in 2 large pots on your stove. If you have only 1 pot, you can cut the recipe in half, or just repeat after the first batch is done.

Add the lemon juice, orange zest, sugar, and pectin. (I used 3 tablespoons of low sugar pectin, but if you’re not sure how much to use, refer to the label or this pectin calculator.)

Turn the stove up to medium high, bring the mixture to a low boil, and continuously stir the fruit mixture for 15 minutes. You’ll see your fruit will begin to break down like this.

Cook your fruit over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring constantly. Turn the heat off, and ladle your chunky fruit mixture into your jars with a jar funnel. Leave 1/3 inch of headspace at the top and a clean rim, add the rim lid and cap, and return the jars to the canning pot filled with boiling water.

Process, or boil, your jars for 12 minutes. Remove your jars from the water and listen for the “pop” that occurs when your jars are sealed. Makes eight 16 oz. jars.

If you’re new to canning, these handy tips are helpful for getting you started. If you don’t can, you can still make a small batch and keep it refrigerated for up to two weeks for enjoying the flavors during the season.

These homemade preserves are absolutely divine on toast, especially all those chunky pieces of fruit.

Enjoy!

*handy printable recipe available here (click on the second place it reads “Simple Summer Berry Preserves)

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(The Best) Mixed Berry Preserves is a post from Centsational Girl Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2013, all rights reserved.

A neighbor was cutting down a tree last year and I was that pesky person who walked over and asked if I could have a big bunch of branches for my fireplace. The birch logs have been there since, they fit so perfectly I can’t imagine moving them. Ever.

The accessory lineup: golden vase is Z Gallerie, mid century inspired geometric candlesticks I bought in Montreal last year, the hammered gold bowl is Target. The faux ear coral I bought at Pottery Barn two years ago, it usually sits on my dresser in the master but looks pretty and beachy on the mantel. The set of vases are also from Target (last year). The pillow is Pottery Barn, I think from two seasons ago.

I wrote about styling summer mantels over at BH&G this morning, and here are the other latest articles as well.

What decorating changes have you made around the house this summer?

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Summer Mantels + More is a post from Centsational Girl Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2013, all rights reserved.

My brother visited the house two years ago and reported that our childhood home had fallen into such disrepair that it was completely abandoned with the windows boarded up with plywood. The thought made me so sad I couldn’t bring myself to drive past it anymore (it’s in another town 30 minutes away). 

As he left, my brother noticed something out of the corner of his eye, something that still remained, and managed to grab it. It belonged to us anyway, the original address plaque that hung over the door when our family lived there 25 years ago.

When Layla posted about her recent visit to her grandfather’s house, it got me feeling nostalgic once more, so I did some digging and found out through online research that someone had bought my childhood home last year and took the time to fix it up. The little brick house had a comeback story to tell.

Here are the four of us kids out in front of it in 1978, I’m the big sister rocking the floral pants, how cute is little sis in her corduroy overalls and little bro in his turtleneck and plaid pants, awesome! We’re standing right in front of the kitchen window, you can see the curtains my mom sewed and the old shingle roof that’s been replaced. There was a split rail fence too, but that’s gone and the windows have been painted white.

This is my big brother in our old kitchen, I remember the pine cabinets and white tile countertops and backsplash. Mom is serving up a snack on her favorite Corelle dishes. I remember how she used to catch up with her friends on that blue phone and leave herself reminders there too, or take messages for my Dad.

You can’t see it, but my mom wallpapered the ceiling (way before it was cool) in a blue and white botanical pattern, it was really pretty. The kitchen was cozy and wonderful and countless meals were enjoyed around that table.

All of the old cabinets are gone now, and new laminate countertops have replaced them. I do love the new flooring, our old floors were laminate with a blue and white rectangle pattern.

That cabinetry and hardware in the kitchen on the left (below) is original to the house, and I’m so glad it survived all these years. It was dark wood when we lived there and my mom kept her pottery and many cookbooks stored on the shelves, but I love it painted white! I wish I had a closer image of the hardware, it’s hammered wrought iron and looks like this up close. Someday I’ll trim a cabinet in similar hardware just for old times sake…

Here’s me and my younger brother in our awkward adolescent phase, Mom made him a cake for his birthday – you can see the original cabinets behind us. I remember wearing huge baggy sweaters over collared shirts, I was hip man. And clearly in between perms.

Our old family room had great hardwood floors (wall paneling too!) and big comfy sofas and chairs. I can tell all four of us are watching something together on a summer day, either the Dukes of Hazard or The Love Boat or Six Million Dollar Man (our favorite morning line up).

The room has since been carpeted (bummer) and the paneling removed. I wish it was still there – I would have painted that wall paneling for a lighter but cozy cottage feel. Also the criss cross door is gone, and window to the garage where we could peek to see if Dad was home from work yet – now it’s just a wall and a plain door, and doesn’t have nearly as much character.

The bathroom has been remodeled with a new vanity and neutral color choices – I forgot how so many of the rooms in the house had those slanted ceilings.

When we were kids the hall bathroom was prime real estate for when my Dad came home from work and would bellow “Fee Fi Fo Fum” when he came through the door. It was a clue for us to run and hide because we knew when he found us he would tickle us until we begged for mercy. (When we were older he’d tickle us until we said “Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun”. I think that was an early 80s Burger King slogan?)

One of us emptied the hamper in the bathroom and hid inside, thinking my dad wouldn’t notice – my mom snapped a picture as evidence of that brilliant move. You can see how the bathroom used to look, I loved the entry door with the latch on the inside – she wallpapered it with a floral patterns and all four kids (and guests) shared this space. I much prefer the before (except for the floor, I like the after.)

We played in the backyard for hours next to our apple tree. Here I am demonstrating my totally amazing Olympic worthy cartwheel skills. You can see the charming shed we had too and a glimpse of our built in brick barbeque.

The backyard just doesn’t have the same appeal anymore, the apple tree, shed, and barbeque are gone, but my parents loved that it was a large lot with plenty of room to play.

When I was really little, we had a pair of red velvet tufted chairs in the living room where we would curl up and read books – there were built in bookcases next to the brick fireplace with curved moulding around the edges the same wrought iron hardware.

A few years later, my mom upgraded with cream floral couches, she was so elegant in her living room design choices, she loved dark wood combined with light upholstered furniture and blue was her favorite accent color. (hmmm sounds familiar…)

Here’s a shot of the living room now, this is my most favorite room in the universe ever and is still so beautiful. Out of all the homes and spaces I’ve ever lived in, this one wins the gold medal, look at those giant divided light windows and the gorgeous beams on the pitched ceiling.

I used to practice piano here in the living room with the sunlight streaming through the window.

It gives me goose bumps looking again at the house I grew up in and have such fond memories of. I’m happy to see it restored in many ways and to compare it to what it was 25 years ago. Thanks Mom for scanning the old images for me *sniffle* and sending them my way, what a kind thing to do!

Have you ever gone back to tour your childhood home? Do you remember any specific detail?  What was it like for you?  Sad? Sweet? Sentimental?  Do share.

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My Childhood Home is a post from Centsational Girl Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2013, all rights reserved.

Here are a few links for your weekend reading enjoyment!

I love absolutely everything about this house.

10 things to know when purchasing a home.

This metallic wallpaper is my latest design crush.

I love the use of the color green in Mary McDonald’s newly decorated house.

Overcome your fear of sewing.

Back by popular demand, the quatrefoil duvet I used here is available again.

How to snag a home store floor model.

An entirely different way to see litter.

A royal wedding in pictures.

The art of being a goal getter.

Have you seen these best western movies?  Although I can think of a few more to add to the list, can you?

Fun with Photoshop – classic sculptures dressed in modern day clothing, ha!

And another laugh – cassette tapes we haven’t seen for a few decades – I found some of my old mix tapes in a case in the garage a few months ago, wish I still had a player to remember what was on them. :)

My bathroom painting tips were posted over at My Colortopia this week.

20 historic images of our universe.

Cool grilling accessories – great ideas to give on Sunday.

What are your plans for Father’s Day?  Matt wants to head out to the coast for an oyster adventure, hope it’s not too crowded. Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome dads out there, enjoy!

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Weekend Reading is a post from Centsational Girl Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2013, all rights reserved.