Jumpin’ July!

Often described as red hot (definitely with temperatures this year as high as 97!) July is sun-drenched, sun-soaked, and is absolutely the heart of summer. Filled from beginning to end, it’s a month for spectacular fireworks, backyard picnics, and hometown parades. For me, those parades are one of the best things about July…who can resist tapping their toes as the band passes by? Then it’s time for fancy floats, riders on horseback, baton twirlers, and antique tractors. Maybe the best part? Little ones pulling red wagons or riding bedazzled bikes…usually with a tail-wagging dog close at hand!

The July days are long and hot here in the Midwest; however, trying to beat the heat means I can justify “just one more scoop” of my favorite black raspberry chip ice cream! And as the day passes and the sun begins to set (thankfully taking a bit of the heat with it) we enjoy the twinkle of fireflies and the evening songs of the mockingbirds.

Before I know it, it’ll be time to dust off my water bath canner and pressure cooker to begin preserving the bounty of summer. Gleaming glass jars will be lined up ready to be filled with tomato sauce, pickles, salsa, and jam. There’s simply nothing like the taste of peach jam in December!

However; I admit that lately I’ve been suffering from what I like to call Mason Jar Madness. Sure, the jars are absolutely perfect for all that garden goodness, but they can also be repurposed into so many clever uses. I’m sure you’ve seen them used for many things…they’re ideal for storing sugar, dry beans, or chocolate chips in your pantry. They’re also just right for holding tea bags, popcorn, pasta, or dried herbs. And even heartfelt items…last month I showed you the antique canning jar that keeps my grandmother’s recipe cards and sewing scissors safely tucked away.

I love searching for old blue Mason jars, and I just discovered why they’re blue. The original sand source used for making those blue jars was natural and unrefined, filled with iron and zinc. During the glass-making process, those minerals gave the jars their blue color. Sadly, the original sand source along Lake Michigan was depleted in the 1920’s. I’ve been so lucky to have been given several of those vintage blue jars, and also I’ve stumbled upon them at flea markets. A few of the jars are special and never leave the top of my Boone cupboard, but others, along with clear Mason jars, have been fun to tinker with and turn into something new.

So here you go…a bit of my Mason Jar Madness!

It’s easy to create a cozy glow with a Mason jar light…just use a hammer to tap an awl in the center of the jar’s metal lid. Make a hole large enough to fit a wick insert (found on-line or with candle making supplies). Slip a wick through the wick insert and thread it, wick first, into the hole. The lip on the insert will keep it secure on top of the lid. Arrange rosehips, pine cones, or cinnamon sticks inside the jar, then fill to within 1/4-inch of the top with lamp oil (not kerosene). Secure the lid and ring. Trim the wick to 1/4-inch, trimming more if needed to keep the flame at a safe height.

Another super-easy holiday glow…a jar partially filled with artificial snow and topped with a little greenery and a rustic star. I carefully bent a silver spoon handle so it would rest on the lip of the jar, and then I bent the spoon bowl to hold a tea light…quick & easy!

One of my very favorite lights, and again, oh-so easy to make in just minutes.

You’ll need a Mason jar, metal chicken feeder, and an electric light.

Set the light in the center of the bottom of the chicken feeder (a little poster putty will help keep it in place) and run the cord through an opening in the top of the feeder. Place the top of the feeder onto the bottom of the feeder, set upright, and carefully screw the jar into place. You can fill the feeder with rosehips, buttons, marbles…whatever you’d like to help hide the cord.

This is a jar that comes out during December; it’s filled with slips of paper, each one with something fun to do throughout the month. Simply jot down all of the things you love to spend time doing, then once a day or once a week, pull out a piece of paper from the jar. My ideas range from baking dog treats and having a movie marathon, to taking a walk around the town square to enjoy the decorated shop windows. Have fun…play board games, drive around to see holiday lights, listen to a holiday choir, make homemade cocoa, roast marshmallows, or make snow angels!

In the pantry I use jars to hold muffin tin liners,

and a friend gave me a jar of layered soup mix! What a clever idea…terrific for quick & easy soup suppers when the weather is chilly.

Fill jars with bite-size cookies or homemade candy…a sweet holiday gift for friends & neighbors.

Mason jars make terrific vases, too. I was gifted this pretty pink jar from a friend years ago…I love it!

Summertime means fending off biting bugs, so why not whip up a super simple Mason jar bug repellent? Just layer slices of limes, lemons, or oranges in a jar. Tuck in some sprigs of mint or rosemary. Add 10-15 drops of citronella, lemongrass, lavender, or eucalyptus essential oil, then fill the jar with water. If you like you can also add a floating candle on top – perfect!

And last, but not least, fill those terrific jars to the brim with icy homemade lemonade! Here’s my favorite recipe for a 16-oz jar.

juice of one lemon
crushed ice
1/3 c. sugar, or sugar to taste
1 to 1-1/2 c. ice cold water

Combine juice, ice, sugar, and water in a Mason jar; secure lid and shake to fully blend.
Serves one.

Those handy-dandy jars can be used for so many things…what do you use them for? I’ve read that you can bake quick bread in them, as well as turn several into a true-blue farmgirl chandelier! We’d love it if you’d share your ideas!

July is amazing…the sky can change in a heartbeat from sapphire to cornflower blue, and then suddenly there’s a cool breeze from the North on the hottest of days. July brings the scent of fresh-cut alfalfa, heavenly peaches, and corn that is much taller than “knee high” as the old saying goes! Every day is different and meant to be enjoyed…it’s a July Jubilee!

Take care farmgirls, and I’ll see you next month, with more “tails” from the farm!