Sweet Summertime

In between Masters projects, ok I mean procrastinating haha, I set out to make a birthday card for my Dad. I randomly came across a fun paper from Martha Stewart and wanted to create a farm/lake feel  with my card to link up with the sweet summertime challenge at Art Impressions. I loved the sketch over at Mojo Monday too.

Paper - Dakota paper collection (CTMH); Holiday Collection (Martha Stewart);

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black (CTMH); Stamp - Pleasures Window (Art Impressions);

Embellishments - Black Medley (CTMH); Stitched Rectangles (Memory Box).

Another thing my dad also loves is Saskatoon berries. They are usually ready just before his birthday and my mom will often make him a pie to celebrate. I couldn't believe it when I found a TON of Saskatoon berry bushes all over our new property! I've made a couple of pies and some jam, too! I was able to use a recipe with honey instead of sugar - yum! I put a Saskatoon berry beside a blueberry in one of the pictures below to show the size difference. One batch of jam I ran out of Saskatoon berries so I made it half and half. Here's the simple yummy recipe:

Saskatoon Berry Jam

3 1/2 cups Saskatoon berries

1 tsp. Cinnamon

2/3 cup honey

1/2 lemon, juice of

Pour washed berries into a saucepan and mash most of the berries. Add the cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice and stir to combine. Gently bring to a boil. Cook, stirring often for about 10 minutes until the jam thickens. Remove from heat and pour into hot jars. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.