a good idea. that wasn’t mine.

Do you know what this is?

Yeah, it looks kind of gross.

But it’s more than a bowl filled with sticky red goo.

It’s kind of a miracle and a time saver and a taste of spring with a stroke of genius.

Yep. It’s that big of a deal.

Well. It would be if your last name was Keigley and you were as obsessed with strawberry jam as this family is.

It’s an idea I wish I could claim as my own – however, like most of the ideas that come through my days – the genesis for it came via another source.

I’m pretty sure it was my friend Allie who suggested it. (Allie with an “e”. It’s a subtle difference.)

Last early summer/late spring. Height of jam-making season. I was growing weary of jam production. And Allie spoke simple words of wisdom. “Just process the berries, but freeze them to make the jam later whenever you want.”

It sounded like inspiration.

And it has been.

Back in December the scads of red gold known as strawberry jam had disappeared and our peanut butter sandwiches were crying out for their sweet partner.

Enter the already prepped two cups of strawberry purée just waiting to be transformed into delicious and lovely jam.

We’re on at least our fourth round of winter jam and it’s been so ridiculously convenient and simple.

I still have a few baggies full of strawberries and it’s almost time to pick those beauties again. Whatever is left in our freezer I’ll just toss into smoothies. It’s really a win-win.

This year I’ll make the fresh batches for sure. Plenty of it too. Our usual ten or more batches.

But I’ll also be prepping another dozen batches for future jam and smoothie needs.

I love a good idea.