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Home » Recipes » fruit

Jam it Out My Grief Recipe

Published: Jun 18, 2023 · Modified: Jun 22, 2024 by Lisa Keys · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by Lisa Keys

My son holding a baby.

It’s Father’s Day and I can’t help but wonder what life would be like if William had become a dad. Watching my daughter be a mother has been one of the greatest joys of my life. So, imagining him as a dad…I feel so robbed, but also just grateful for the time I did get. All these years later, I am torn. These feelings are often difficult to navigate. I'm going to have to jam it out, but the recipe comes later.

Will holding his young cousin.

I suppose I am thinking a lot about William as a dad because we just had the best visit from one of his Navy brothers. Tim, a corpsman, his lovely wife and 5 children (all under the age of eleven) come to support and catch up. It gives me a glimpse of a man, much like William, being a dad. Tim is a devoted brother and father. My heart feels full as Tim tends to the needs of his family. From assuring their safety around the pool to reminding them of good manners, he calmly guides them through the day. With love, discipline and respect the children respond in turn. Not only are they listening to their dad, but also mimicking what he does by taking care of each other.

We play, we laugh, we share a meal and all the while I feel so grateful for men like Tim in my life. Men who are filled with honor, courage and commitment to their family, friends and country.

Military challenge coin.
Military challenge coin.

Later, I discover that Tim has placed a military challenge coin on William’s American flag of honor. The coin is a symbol of lasting and close-knit bonds between people who give and receive them. It’s a long-standing military tradition to exchange coins representing unity. When I ask Tim about the coin, he tells me that William did not get the chance to receive his Operation Enduring Freedom coin. However, for some reason he had two. He says, “One is meant for William”. It is an emotional moment.

Jam it out with a bowl of fresh mulberries.

So, now, I am meant to jam it out. I need to work through my emotions, so I head outside to pick mulberries. Did you know they grow on a tree and not on a bush? The children's song about going around the mulberry bush has it all wrong. And while they may look a lot like blackberries they are not related. Mulberries are sweet and rich in antioxidants. Mulberries are delicious in baked goods like pies and muffins, but I love them in jam.

Mulberry jam ingredients in a pot include sugar, lemon thyme, hibiscus salt and lemon peel.

There are lots of ways to make jam, but I always like mine with a touch of herbs and citrus. I added lemon thyme because I have a ton of it growing in my front yard. It's a gorgeous perennial plus so many culinary uses. I also used Pomona's Universal Pectin as it allows for less sugar in the recipe. Less sugar means more mulberry flavor as does the use of a bit of salt. Salt is the universal flavor enhancer, so don't leave it out.

Jam it out stewed mulberries.

If you have feelings to work out I certainly recommend getting out in nature. Pick some berries and jam it out.

Jam it out with a bowl of fresh mulberries.

Lemon Thyme Mulberry Jam

Lisa Keys
If you can't find mulberries feel free to substitute berries of your choice.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course fruit
Cuisine American
Servings 6 cups
Calories 12 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups fresh mulberries, stems removed
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 strips lemon zest
  • 6 sprigs fresh lemon thyme, tie together with a string for easy removal later
  • ¼ teaspoon hibiscus salt or plain sea salt
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoons prepared calcium water, (the calcium comes in the box with the pectin)
  • 4 teaspoons Pomona's Universal Pectin

Instructions
 

  • Wash and rinse jam jars, lids and tops. Let the jars and lids stand in boiling hot water.
  • Prepare the calcium water per Pomona's Universal Pectin instructions.
  • Place mulberries, lemon juice, zest, lemon thyme, salt, ¼ cup of sugar and calcium water in large pot; stir well. Bring to a boil.
  • Stir remaining sugar and pectin together until blended. Add to boiling fruit mixture and stir for 2 minutes or until pectin is dissolved. 
  • Let jam return to a full boil and then remove from heat.
  • Fill jars, wipe rims and screw on 2-piece lids just finger tight. 
  • Place jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. 
  • Let cool and listen for the pop of the lids being sucked down to seal.

Notes

Pomona Universal Pectin is a citrus pectin that requires less sugar, so the berry flavor really comes through.
Remove the strips of lemon peel and thyme before labeling jam into jars.
This recipe makes 6 cups of jam. The nutrition information is for 1 tablespoon.

Nutrition

Calories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.004gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.005gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 24mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword canning, citrus, fruit spreads, jam, lemon thyme, mulberry, preserves
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Jarred mulberry jam.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads who are simply the best. And for those of you grieving the loss of a dad or a brother just a reminder that you are not alone. Speak your grief.

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    Calamansi Curd and Syrup How To Make Them

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 4 votes

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    Recipe Rating





  1. Carol Walsh

    June 19, 2023 at 7:10 am

    5 stars
    As usual, you are so eloquent in sharing your grief and emotions (and recipes!). William would have been an amazing dad for sure. I love that you had a visit from Tim and his family, and that Will finally got his service coin. I continue to keep him close in my heart. Keep "jamming it out" and sharing your story. Big hugs!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 19, 2023 at 7:32 am

      Awe thanks. As his second "mom" I appreciate you saying he would have been a good dad. He treated his younger cousins with such care and attention. And as you know a very protective kind of person to those he cared about. Isn't it a wonder how these brothers create these long-lasting bonds not only with each other but also the extended family. Certainly makes the world a better place to know how much William is loved.

      Reply
  2. Julie Rainbow

    June 19, 2023 at 8:59 am

    5 stars
    Love mulberries! I’ve been thinking of you. I love your perspective and you so very much.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 19, 2023 at 9:49 am

      I think readers need to be encouraged to talk about their grief. The response is usually a compassionate and empathetic one which shares goodness on both sides. Tell Kate to make this jam.

      Reply
  3. Donna Collins-Yamini

    June 23, 2023 at 8:29 pm

    5 stars
    lovely post

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 23, 2023 at 8:59 pm

      Thank you. I think you would love mulberries in your jams.

      Reply
  4. Lisa Keys

    December 06, 2023 at 7:40 am

    5 stars
    I am fortunate to have mulberries in my own backyard but if you don't try blackberries instead.

    Reply

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