Creating in any form has long been a part of my life. From the time I could read, I clung to the idea that I would be a writer. In fact, when I was about ten years old, I found an antique typewriter, cleaned it up, set it on the desk in my room and set about learning how to type. I scurried away with my sister's high school typing book (she was several years older than me) and studied it intently. First, hunting and pecking at the keys like a hungry chick, and later, rhythmically finding my way along the keyboard to create melodious (to me) works of art in words.
At sixteen, I submitted my first article to Seventeen magazine and subsequently, dealt with my first rejection letter. What was I thinking; the hubris of youth, I suppose. That rejection letter hit me hard and, while it didn't completely extinguish the desire in me, it certainly dimmed the flame for a bit.
Continuing on my creator path, I took up any number of crafts; usually with friends. We eagerly decorated grapevine wreaths and summer woven hats (glue stick burns, anyone?). Cross stitch was a favorite pastime. I could sit on my bed cross-legged for hours and stitch away at fine-holed aida cloth as though my sight would always be so great. Spoiler alert: now that I'm in my fifties, even squinting I can't see those holes.
In this season of my life, I'm finding a new sort of creating. Nestled in amongst the joys of fiber crafting and running a yarn business, a fresh interest has sprung up. Well, maybe not wholly fresh; I've always loved to cook and anyone who casts a glance my way knows I certainly love to eat as well! But now, I'm rediscovering the satisfaction of vegetables fresh from the garden, canning, and jam-making!
Late in my twenties was the first time I made jam. A knowledgable friend and I set out to create jam for Christmas gifts one year and I took to it happily. But alas, I was raising a young son, working a full-time job, and time to bask in the delights of canning jam was not mine.
Now, living in Maine, I've been thrust into a landscape dotted with tiny jars of jam that shine like jewels. It's everywhere! And of course, I took up the challenge to make my own, much to the delight of my husband who has long adored the sticky, sweet stuff.
My first batch done, after painstaking time poring over recipes to find just the right one, I'm now on a quest to find the focus of my second batch. My Pinterest board overfloweth with articles on "unusual jam recipes" and "ways to stretch your fruit into fall."
But for now, we're satisfied with the 16 jars (already gave two away; it was 18) of Vanilla Blueberry Ginger jam, AKA VBGC jam (can't forget the cinnamon I added!) I tweaked the recipe and we've been delighted, as have the recipients of the first two gift jars.
My creation journey will continue, I'm sure. I'll be on to something else in good time, but I always seek to preserve the best parts of the creation path previously trod. It's good to know where you've come from, even as you search out new paths.
I'd love to hear about your creation journey!
*Recipe for the original Blueberry Ginger Jam I used, prior to my mods.