WANTED: Stacy scores with an early birthday gift!

19 years ago

I walked in the house and found a box from Stacy waiting for me. One of the workmen had made sure I wouldn't miss it!

Stacy started her note by saying "Hello Old Friend", she wasn't razzing me about my age, rather reminding me that I sent her the first package she ever received in a CF swap!

The box looked like the Post Office had fun playing smoosh the package, but luckily nothing inside was damaged. I waited a short time for DH to get home with his camera and restrained myself from opening anything but a baggie of delicious "Crookies". I don't recall seeing a recipe, but I can assure you they are delish! Stacy, I need the recipe! So as I waited I munched a few and tried to arrange a photogenic tableaux. I don't think I succeeded, but here's what they looked like all {{gwi:1467160}} up.

I'm touched, Stacy sent me some of her first canning efforts! There's a jar of apple pie jam which is something I've been drooling over since it was first described on the forum. I love, love, love apples and cinnamon, I'm just not all that crazy for pie crust. Here's one I can eat straight from the jar or use it on a slice of toast or...I'll think of someway to make it last. I refuse to share with those who won't care!

There was also a jar of Stacy's first batch of jelly. It's a tangerine-lemon blend that is a lovely shade of yellow. That's great! This will taste fabulous on tomorrow's English muffin! The best part is that the recipe came from the cookbook called "Small Batch Preserving" which was also included in my package. Stacy tells me that this book was recomended by our Annie, who knows I won't be canning in her kind of huge quantities!

The last two items are Maple Syrup and a stoneware pitcher from Sprague's Maple Farms located nearby. The pitcher will happily serve the syrup and then be added to my small collection of pitchers. I'm going to make a special breakfast treat soon to put this syrup to the test.

Thank you Stacy for putting together the '{{gwi:1467161}} of birthday treats! I will think of you as I enjoy each and every one!

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Comments (38)

dlundin
19 years ago
Cool package! I'll trade you one bite of raspberry jam for one bite of your apple pie jam. We should have a brunch! Sounds like a perfect package for you, Ellen. Nice going, Stacy!
netla
19 years ago
A really super swap package.
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momto4kids
19 years ago
Homemade jam and jelly! Lucky, lucky you! That Small Batch Preserving cookbook sounds like a great one! I love that syrup pitcher! Enjoy!

Great job Stacy!!
chancesmom
19 years ago
What a lovely surprise birthday gift! Very "sweet" indeed. It must feel nice and warm to give back to a former swap mate, good job Stacy.

janet
User
19 years ago
Parcels around birthdays, how fun is that! I have that cookbook and it is a great caning cookbook. It has neat ideas that are perfect for gifts and all the recipes are manageable amounts. I too love that pitcher, and what's not to love about Maple Syrup!

Happy Birthday Ellen, good job Stacy.
riverrat1
19 years ago
Stacy, How special that you sent Ellen some of your first canning goodies! Nice job on the swap box!

Ellen, I know you will enjoy your goodies. Have a Happy Birthday!
dedtired
19 years ago
A birthday, jam, syrup, a pitcher, a cookbook and crookies?? Not fair all on one day. Overload!! But amazingly fabulous overload. Nice job, Stacy.
teresa_nc7
19 years ago
What wonderful treats for you, Ellen! And just in time for your birthday!

Now I need to have the recipe for Crookies, Stacy! Well done!
shaun
19 years ago
I love that package! Very sweet indeed. Great Job Stacy.

And happy birthday Ellen!
doucanoe
19 years ago
Oh, man! I have been looking at that cookbook on Amazon.com! Let me know how you like it!

Jams and syrup, too? What a sweet package!

Linda
User
19 years ago
Oh what a wonderful swap box. Just perfect for you Ellen. I love that cute little pitcher and even though I'm not a jam fan, I would be eating that Apple Jam out of the jar with a spoon. And I bet that tangerine-lemon blend would be wonderful on warm homemade scones.

Ann
robinkateb
19 years ago
Count me in the group who has been thinking about buying that cookbook. I like the apple pie jam a lot on french toast, Annie puts it in the middle of bran muffins. I have a new recipe for bran muffins that I may try that in. Enjoy!! Hope you birthday was fabulous!! Great job Stacy!!

-Robin
Terri_PacNW
19 years ago
I need that book! The jams and preserves look beautiful.

That pitcher is adorable!

Happy Birthday from me too!
stacy3
19 years ago
Oh Ellen, that box was jam packed - I"m so glad nothing broke! How could they mangle it so - in just 2 days...sheesh.

Happy Birthday! I'm glad you like your treats. I looked at the book a few days and then ordered myself one, too. It is wonderful!

These are soooo easy - here is the recipe for the crookies - but I have to admit that I made yours with light brown sugar - but having compared the two - dark brown is better. I also used some semi sweet chips on yours because you said you like dark chocolate.

Crookies - these are that yummy blend of sweet and salty
-----------------------------------------------------

Saltine crackers
1 stick butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 bag milk chocolate chips

-Line a baking sheet with foil.
-Cover baking sheet with saltine crackers - laid out side by side
-Melt on med-low heat 1 stick of butter & 1 cup of dark brown sugar until well mixed. (If you used more than a sleeve of saltines - use a little bit more of each - butter and br. sugar.)
-Pour evenly over crackers and spread to edges to cover crackers completely. (don't worry if it seeps between them in spots.)
-Bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees - it will be bubbly.
-Remove from oven and sprinkle 1 bag of milk chocolate chips.
-spread melted chocolate with back of a wooden spoon.
-Put into refrigerator or freezer until set & break apart into uneven pieces.

Stacy
jessyf
19 years ago
Another newbie canner! LOL!

That is a great book - my library has it bwahaha so it doesn't take up shelf space for me.

For those who are looking to buy, here is the link on addall.com - (California shipping costs, sorry).

Happy Bday again Ellen. You couldn't have had nicer weather today!

Here is a link that might be useful: Small Batch preserving
Bizzo
19 years ago
YUMMMM!!! Happy Birthday, Ellen! nice job Stacy!!
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
19 years ago
Sweet package! Happy Birthday, Ellen! Excellent timing, Stacy! What nice gifts. Love the pitcher and the syrup and the jams! Everything! I hope you'll post recipes, Ellen! Enjoy! Nice going, Stacy!
ziporion
19 years ago
Happy birthday Ellen! And what an excellent surprise to arrive for your special day! I love that pitcher and imagine the syrup drizzling out of it! And preserving in small batches, what a great idea, makes for more variety in the pantry! And to be the recipient of Stacy's newfound love, canning, lucky you!

Stacy, yet another awesome swap package (from your former swap partner). :)

Catherine
catlover
19 years ago
Happy BD to you! This is getting incestuous! Great swap package. Enjoy! Adele
sheshebop
19 years ago
Ellen, your package sounds delightful. Happy birthday! Stacy, you did a wonderful package, and I know sweet Ellen will enjoy it all.
Gina_W
19 years ago
Just in time for your special day Ellen! I want to make that apple pie jam now. Stacy please post or link to the recipe! Enjoy the goodies Ellen!
sally2_gw
19 years ago
What nice gifts, and great timing, too. That book looks interesting, I'll have to see if my library has it, too. Apple pie jam might even tempt me, I love apple stuff. That pitcher is cute too. Altogether, a very nice package.

Sally
stacy3
19 years ago
Oh Hey - Gina - here is the recipe - it was a good one to try !!

Linda Lou's Apple Pie Jam
4 cups tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
4 cups sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 box pectin
1/2 teaspoon butter
Add water to chopped apples to measure 4 cups. Place apples and water into large, heavy saucepan. Stir in lemon juice, cinnamon and allspice. Measure sugars. Stir pectin into fruit. Add butter. Bring mixture to full rolling boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Quickly stir in both sugars. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon. Ladle quickly into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands on finger tight. Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
I agree, Diane, it's a great recipe. If you want a change, here's Nancy's (wizardnm) Maple Apple Jam, my own particular favorite apple jam.
APPLE MAPLE JAM
12 C finely chopped apples (about 6lbs) I used the food processor
6 C sugar
1 C Maple syrup (grade B if possible)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp Allspice
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
Combine all in a large deep pan. Slowly bring to a boil. Cook to the jellying point. Stir frequently, so it doesn't stick. Pour into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Adjust caps. Process 10 min in BWB.
Yields about 8 half pints. I double this recipe and it works fine.
The notes are Nancy's, I'm sure you can tell, since I don't even have a food processor. LOL
Annie
compumom
Original Author
19 years ago
Mmmm Mmmmm good! I sampled both the jam and the jelly this morning! Both are really super but I think the apple is my favorite! We consumed about 1/4 of the jar in one sitting, I think that showed great restraint...hehe..!
traceys
19 years ago
What a great birthday surprise Ellen! I love the apple pie jam too. I think I need to get that book, it looks like something I'd like.

Nice package Stacy and excellent timing!

Tracey
KatieC
19 years ago
Good choice Stacy (and...welcome to the Dark Side...hehehe). Ellen, you will love Small Batch Preserving.

The apple pie jam is also wonderful on French vanilla ice cream... my first batch didn't set. Now I make it that way on purpose.

And real maple syrup....mmmmm.....

And, I have been behind...Happy Birthday!
lorijean44
19 years ago
Katie, great idea - apple pie jam on ice cream. Yum! (Ellen, I'm another one that's not a huge fan of pie crust!)

What a delicious-looking package, Stacy!

Lori
trixietx
19 years ago
How nice to get your package on your birthday.

Stacy, you put together a sweet package.

Enjoy, Ellen and Happy Belated Birthday.
maggie2094
19 years ago
Happy Birthday, Ellen. How cool is that ;)

I just love that pitcher and maple anything is my favorite. I have been hearing so much about the apple pie jam! Great job, Stacy!
lowspark
19 years ago
Happy Birthday Ellen!! What a wonderful swap box, just in time to help you celebrate!
lsr2002
19 years ago
Getting your box was really a sweet way to start your birthday weekend. I would love both the apple pie jam and the tangerine lemon jelly. Good maple syrup is always a treat and even after it's gone, the pitcher will remind you of Stacy (I know that because I have a plate from her that I use a lot and always smile and think of her). Somehow "Small Batch Preserving" doesn't sound too intimidating, even to me. I can't wait to see what you try and post from it. I'd love it if you or Stacy would post that jelly recipe, lemon is one of my favorite flavors and we're just coming in to tangerine season.

Sweet choices Stacy! Ellen, I know you'll just keep saying yum!

Lee
annie1992
19 years ago
Stacy, I'm flattered that you used me as a "swap spy" for Ellen, whose canning plans seemed perfect for "Small Batch Preserving". It's a great book and I'm sure Ellen is gonna love it.

Plus your first jam, good job, I'm impressed. If you can get Ann T to say she'd eat it, you've done well. Maple is one of my favorite flavors and that pitcher is a really nice touch.

Ellen, I'm sure you're going to enjoy all of this. The jam is good on crackers too, incidentally, if you don't want to wait for toast. Not that I'd know that personally....

Annie
jimtex
19 years ago
Incredible edible package Stacy. Nobody appreciates maple syrup more than me. The first real stuff I ever had came in a swap package. Enjoy Ellen!
craftyrn
19 years ago
Now that's a tasty Birthday present-- & how special that Stacy parted with some of her first ever canning !

Crookies ! Haven't thought about those in years ! So simple to make & so good-- addicting little things-- nice idea to send those along,Stacy.
andi_2006
19 years ago
Stacy, what a wonderful package! Your jams and jellies look very tasty! Good job! The cookbook is one of my staples and maple syrup - yumm! Happy belated birthday, Ellen! Enjoy!!
colo_lady
19 years ago
Great box and the timing was perfect. Happy Belated Birthday!!

Ellen, the Birthday Girl!
lakeguy35
19 years ago
Hey Ellen, I'm ready to come over for brunch! Wonderful flavorful package you have there. I think it is so cool another member took on the canning thing and shared it in this swap. Way to go Stacy!! Like James, I had my first "real" maple syrup thanks to Sharon many swaps ago. YUM! I still want to come over for brunch Ellen...

David
compumom
Original Author
19 years ago
Anytime David, anytime!

WANTED: Stacy scores with an early birthday gift!

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