Jam & Bread

I've loved reading my friend Liz blog about her canning and pickling adventures this summer, so I thought I'd share my first canning experience. 

I tried strawberry freezer jam this summer and it worked!  I got the recipe from a co-worker.  She's a true TN grandma so I figured her jam was probably fantastic -- and it was!  Here is her simple recipe:

Buy a package of ‘Sur Jel’ not sure of spelling, it would be in the section of ‘canning’ jars I think.
Or possibly in area of jello but more likely in the canning area.
As best I remember, you put certain amount of water with pkg. of sur jel & bring to boil to dissolve.
You mash the strawberries in layers, I think about 2 -3 cups.
Then add LOTS of sugar (maybe 3 or 4 cups) - yes, it’s mostly sugar.
You stir & stir; stir & stir; let set a few minutes,
then add the sur gel mixture & stir; stir & stir; stir some more.
Pour in jars & seal; let sit out over night, then put in freezer.
Just take jar from freezer, spread on biscuits with butter - yummy.
Put remainder back in freezer. It’s ok to have frozen & then re-freeze.

When I picked up the Sure Jell at the store, I opted for the low-sugar variety so I wouldn't have to add the full 3-4 cups of sugar in our jam.  Bev's recipe made it sound so laid back and easy, but the instructions in the package were extreme!  I felt like they were written by evil grandmothers.  Basically, you had to follow them exactly -- no lowering the quantity or sugar content from what was posted, etc.  DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING IN THIS RECIPE OR YOUR JAM WILL BE TERRIBLE.  I'm not a big recipe follower, so it was torture.  I was hoping to add in some mint, fresh herbs, or orange zest but I caved to the printed instructions of the evil grandmothers and just used fresh strawberries and sugar.

In the end, I was shocked that I actually created jam/jelly.  Of course, freezer jam is totally taking the "easy" way and I didn't have to boil the jars and lids and do canning the "real" way......but it was still a new adventure for me!

Next up: trying my sister-in-law's "easy" recipe for bread!

Comforting Quote

A friend posted this quote on Facebook today and I LOVED it and want to share it with you:

"That we may not complain of what is, let us see God's hand in all events;
and, that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hands."
--Matthew Henry

I tend to either complain or worry, so that's wisdom (from 1708!) that I needed to hear. 

Would I make a good school librarian?

I'm back. 

I've felt a bit vulnerable knowing that "everyone" (all 3 people that read my blog!) knows just how confused I am, but at the same time it's freeing to admit how far I am from having a plan!  But I did want to re-visit this to show that I am making some progress. 

City Planner
Speech Therapist
Dietitian - Let's face it, I pretty much eat what I want.  I think it would be fascinating to learn so much about food, but if I had that degree I probably wouldn't take my own advice!
Guidance Counselor
Therapist/Counselor - I could see this being something that I come back to later in life.
Teacher - With my undergrad, I would have to certify to teach Social Studies, but apparently that is a subject that is not in demand at all.  I don't want to be doomed to job-searching for the rest of my life.
Librarian

If I could go to school for all of them, I would.  But realistically I'm down to 3 options.  For guidance or speech, I would have to take out student loans. 

John and I have recently started attending a financial group with some people from our church to help us think more about what we're spending, saving, investing, etc., and to learn more about Biblical principles regarding money.  We've been trying to focus on getting a handle on our spending (eating out!) and save towards several goals, including a "new" (used) car for me in the not-too-distant future when my Honda gives out.  One thing that we both hate is the looming shadow of his student loans.  I know student loan debt isn't the end of the world, but being in debt is new for both of us and we don't like it at all.  If I'm going to be in debt, then I want it to be for a mortgage for a cute little house with a real garden! 

So of course this is shaping my decision a little.  I've been giving the Masters in Library and Information Sciences program a good deal of thought recently and I'm pretty hopeful about it.  I'm still gathering information, but I could see this being a good fit for me (if I was to be accepted into the program).  I met with a faculty member of the program and received the application paperwork to look over.  So it's a step! 

I used to want to be a librarian (yes, I have always been a dork) but was dissuaded because of threats of "never having a job" and "no one is going to use libraries in the future."  After research, I no longer believe those comments.  I'm hoping to shadow a friend soon who is a school librarian soon to see what her typical day looks like.  I'm not sold yet...but I feel like I'm starting to get somewhere...

Mull this over with me...

Sorry I've left the blog quiet for a while.  I've had some things on my mind lately, and I was hoping to iron them out before blogging.  I don't seem to be making any progress with my thoughts, so I'll just put it all out here "as is."  No organization, no conclusions.

I had a mini-meltdown Tuesday night.  I don't think my sweet husband knew what hit him! He came home at about 9:30 p.m. and I was fine.  Just hanging out, reading a book.  We were talking after I finished my book, and I literally "burst" into tears.  John was asking me what the book was about and I explained that it was one of those funny "chick lit" books where the heroine just "has it all" (noble career, shopping sprees, perfect house, cocktail parties, baby on the way, etc.).  I'm not sure why I was surprised by the crying -- I've been in a slight funk the last few weeks, and I guess it all came out.  Cathartic...but not fun.

The book itself didn't make me cry [I do understand the difference of fiction and reality!], but it definitely played on some insecurities about where I am right now and what I should be doing.  The gist of it is figuring out what I want to be when I "grow up."

Am I being a poor steward of my time right now? 
Am I not being brave enough...or smart enough...or driven enough for a "real career"? 

I've been thinking about this topic for a while, but it has been really troubling me since my birthday a few weeks ago.  I'm not much closer to having a career or a "plan" than I was on my last birthday.  It's not that I'm worried about getting older; it's more of a concern of wanting to use this time (the years before having kids) as wisely as possible.  

So what DO I want to be when I grow up?  Well I'd like to be a dreamer, an artist, a teacher, a guidance counselor, a nutritionist in my own kitchen, a home librarian, a fort-city planner, a costume-maker, a team snack-taker............basically, a MOM.


Unfortunately, being a mom doesn't pay the bills. So, I'm trying to figure out what I can do -- sometimes I make the mistake of thinking of it as what I should "be" instead of what occupation should I "do"--- that would be flexible toward possible future family demands and yet also incorporate my interests and passions.  The big question is whether I should pursue graduate school. Should I be getting a degree in a "mom-friendly" field that would enable me to leave and re-enter the workforce easily in the event of having children one day? Are ANY jobs mom-friendly?

I've considered many careers over the past few years... 
-a city planner/commerical real estate
OUT.  Due to the economic downturn, every young city planner or architect in this area seems to be out of work.  I'm just not interested in the time it would take to: get my masters, wait for the market to turn around, compete against the currently unemployed individuals who DO have a background and work history in the field and will naturally be the first re-hired when jobs do open up, finally find job at bottom as someone's assistant's assistant's assistant, not be in a good position to be able to leave to have kids and then re-enter workforce. 

-a speech pathologist
Still considering.  Would require several "hard science" pre-req's and then pursuing a masters degree ($$).  Would be able to work with 2 groups I LOVE (kids and the elderly -- I'm not kidding, I love old people!) and would also be able to study language development which interests me.  It's the Latin major coming out in me.  It also interests me because you can go into the school system; I went to Speech Therapy for several years when I was younger in public school.  Bonus: good job market and good earnings.

-a registered dietician
Still considering.  Would also require several "hard science" pre-req's and then pursuing a masters degree ($$).  I've been interested in nutrition/dietetics since high school, especially from a public health point of view.  This interest has increased lately as I've learned more about urban farming, community gardens, etc., and I've thought more about what I'm putting in my body with each bite.  I could see using this degree in a clinical setting (one on one appointments, diabetes education, etc.), a policy manner (school lunch plans, etc.) or in a more creative manner (teaching cooking classes, etc.).  I've also vaguely considered culinary school!  Bonus: as healthcare becomes more preventive-focused, good job market.  Not great earnings compared to how much school it would require for me, but that's okay. 

-a guidance counselor
Still considering.  Would require a masters degree but no pre-req's if any ($$).  I love discussing career ideas and I like school settings, so this has been a career I have considered for a while.  Also, my mother is a guidance counselor and I've always thought that her job seemed so interesting.  Unfortunately she's also recently lost her job due to budget cuts in the school district, so I'm not sure about job stability or possibilities with this career.  Bonus: good schedule for a family.

-a therapist/counselor
Considering.  I would have the potential to receive this degree for free if accepted into the program at the university where I work.  I'm not sure about this degree though.  I could do Marriage and Family Therapy or Clinical Psychology, but with any kind of therapuetic counseling where you are seeking state licensure, you may have to work for years and years under supervision (internship, practicum, clinical hours, etc.) before you ever actually get paid for the counseling you are doing.  You do get to set your own hours typically (if you are doing one on one counseling rather than in an agency).  The job market is good, especially if you want to go into mental health or addiction counseling through state-funded agencies.  Unfortunately I would probably be more inclined to take this degree towards working in a ministry or working with adoptions. 

-a teacher
Considering.  I would have the potential to receive this degree for free if accepted into the program at the university where I work.  I never thought that I wanted to be a teacher but I'm starting to consider it more and more.  I especially think I would prefer to teach younger students -- 5th, 6th, 7th grade -- because I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to control high schoolers.  But I haven't had a lot of experience working with youth so I'm not sure about this career.  I do think that that teaching (especially in a private, classical, or interdisciplinary setting) enables you to bring a lot of creativity into your job everyday, which I would like.  I'm so sad that my job allows for NO CREATIVITY WHATSOEVER.  Bonus: good family schedule and a field that is open to taking a couple of years off and then re-entering. 

-a librarian 
Considering.  I would have the potential to receive this degree for free if accepted into the program at the university where I work.  It would incorporate my love of reading and academic settings, but it's not the best job market right now and I'm not sure if I'm organized enough or tech-loving enough to enjoy the field or not.  Definitely wouldn't want to be a research librarian -- think more a middle school librarian...peddling healthier fare than Twilight books though...Bonus: good schedule for a family.

This is especially a hard choice because there are so many things I love: language, food, family, relationships, adoption, the elderly, people's stories, books, cities and public transportation, small town main streets, listening, TALKING, discussing other people's plans and dreams, classical education, Latin, reading, homemaking, Romania, current events, travel, to name a few. 

Any comments?  I'm sure that I will post about this topic many more times!  I'm very far from having any answers.