Your just fine, you can add a bit of citric or lemon if you like. It may end up a bit stiffer, so you can counter that with a bit of added fruit juice.

We did 3 berry last week and had same problem so we just added 1/2 cup of grape juice and it turned out great.

Dave

If you're concerned about safety, you don't have to add anything. Berries like those are high-acid. So as Ken said, it may set up a bit more firmly, but there aren't any risks if you choose to go with what you have.

Carol

Thanks for all the advice everybody!! You helped me reach the end of a very productive "day off." (My wife thinks I need something more relaxing for a "day off"!) She was a great help today though! A great way to spend a day together!

The day ended with a sour cherry custard pie and cobbler, 3 loaves of farmhouse white bread, a batch of homemade butter, 7 full half-pints of strawberry jam, 8 full half-pints of triple berry jam (straw, blue, rasp) and a stew for dinner with fresh picked green beans on the side.

Thanks as always for your knowledge and advice. A few pics below.

With all that 'crust' inside the canner pot, suggest that you add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the boiling water. It helps to reduce the heavy calcium and mineral deposits buildup usually found with hard water. Bread looks great. Ever try sour dough?

Great looking bread and great looking jam. If I could find a local dairy I'd dig out the old churn and join you in the butter-making.

Carol

Ksrogers...thanks for the tip about the canner. That is a very old canner handed down so it's seen some abuse. I wouldn't mind cleaning it up a little bit so I will try your tip! Mine water here at home isn't hard so hopefully one cleaning and I should be good.

I have yet to try sourdough. I've wanted to expand my bread horizons a bit but time is tight and we just love this recipe so much. I was in heaven tonight when I had my fresh baked bread, with homemade strawberry jam, with homemade butter on it.

Carol....I actually just used heavy cream from the grocery store this time....and used the Kitchenaid. I'm amazed how different it taste compared to the store bought stuff. I can't wait to try to make some other butters like garlic butter!

Yum, it all looks so good.

There are a few threads here about sourdough bread making and also about sausage making and meat curing..

Ksrogers...someone after my own heart!! As soon as we sat down very tired tonight after dinner I told my wife that I need to start researching my next "project." She even mentioned smoking/curing meat. Hmmm....I wonder if I can fit a smokehouse next to where I have plans to build a root cellar.....

~Jeremy

Wild cultures are always interesting, whether they're in bread or yogurt or whatever. Good luck in your pursuits.

And there's nothing like homemade bread and butter. It doesn't have to be sourdough to be wonderful.

Carol

Dear RocketJeremy,

If I weren't happily married and you weren't happily married ... I'd marry you! You sound like a great guy to have around! I'm certain your wife thinks so, too.

Wonderful reading what you've just done, and fun looking at your photos.

Kathy in Washington

Looks wonderful! And even better done "together".
A great homemade meal from your own local foods, some stored away for the future, and fall into bed exhausted from a productive day.........

Now that's LIFE!!

Several of us here take 'vacation time' from our day jobs to stay home and can. I like my job, but I don't get that kind of satisfaction from it! And...I can't eat what I do later! Paperwork is dry.
My hubby loves date night.....a glass of wine and sit on the porch snappin' beans or shuckin' corn! :)

Deanna

Great "date night" Deanna! Wife and I have been doing just that - only with sweet tea - for going on 45 years in September. :)

And you are right - that's LIFE!!!

Dave