strawberry jammin'

for those of you who aren't acquainted with strawberry shortcake dvds, the title of this post comes from a song in one of the episodes. so, i would just like for you to know that as i write this post, i am singing that lovely little tune. on wednesday, i took the kids to a strawberry farm with my friend, karin. we had a wonderful time and i am looking forward to taking the kids to some more you-pick farms in the area.
as a child my parents made jelly and preserves from various fruits. but, as an adult, i have never tried to make any. karin's post about making jam inspired me and i decided to learn how to make it myself. so, after leaving the farm, and a quick stop for the necessary supplies (jars, tongs, etc.), we returned home to make jam. here are the strawberries waiting in the sink to be washed. one of the benefits of picking the berries yourself is that you get all good berries and none that you have to throw out.
strawberries all cleaned and cut and waiting to be mashed...
jam-making in progress...
and the finished product...

i am so thrilled that it turned out. and all of the jars sealed! i put away twelve pints of jam, kept some out for snacking, saved some for strawberry cake that i am going to make for janelle's birthday using erica's recipe, and froze a quart for smoothies. whew. i have been up to my elbows in strawberries. and i have loved every minute. i am already thinking about canning more things. maybe pickles next?