Peaches, peaches, peaches

This post is a little late in coming, now that peach season is over, I just wanted to encourage anyone that has room in their yard, to grow a peach tree. We planted two peach trees three years ago and this year we were able to enjoy the 'fruits' of our labor. We had peaches coming out our ears! We made peach cobbler, peach pie, peach cheesecake, peach jell-o, peach jam, gave peaches away to neighbors, bottled peaches, froze peaches, and ate them nearly every morning for breakfast...and we still have some left! Isn't that cool that you can produce your own food in your own yard? I love it!! So..this is just an encouragement for anyone out there that would like to plant fruit trees. We bought our tree at the end of the season at IFA for around $25, check your local stores and see if they still have them and if they would still be okay to plant. You may have to be patient for a few years, but then you will get your reward. Our pear tree and apple tree also produced well this year. I guess three years is the lucky number. Give it a try ;)

Here is my Grandma Lucy's Peach Jam Recipe that I love. It is lower in sugar, so a little better for you:

6 c. peaches, mashed (skins removed)

1 pkg. pectin

1/4 c. lemon juice

Stir above ingredients and let sit for 5 minutes. Bring to a rolling boil and add 5 c. sugar. Mix well and continue to boil for 5 more minutes (at FULL boil). Check jam after 5 minutes with a metal spoon. If the spoon is coated with jam and if the jam is no longer runny, then jam is done. If it is not thick enough, you can continue to boil for 5-10 more minutes or until thick. When done, put in canning jars and wet bathe them for 30 minutes, or freeze them.