The recipe card is older than the children and younger than the pond. It has jam stains in three corners and a note that simply says, “Taste it.”
We wash berries in a colander on the porch. Grandma’s rule is that helpers may eat one for every handful that goes in the pot. This rule is generously interpreted.
The kitchen smells like summer for an hour. Jars line up like little lanterns. Labels are written in thick pencil so everyone can read them later.
We keep a jar for breakfast toast and a jar for neighbors. Sharing jam is one of the smallest, kindest homestead habits we know.
