Swap & Share: Two Pints for Pam | Family Economics

By Sandy

I wrote this post when it was still officially winter, and I had on my jeans, my warm socks and my pink dingle-berry apron from my friend, Anne. And as I was cleaning out my freezer and pulling out Ziploc® bags of frozen strawberries from last years’ crop, I knew I needed to get my jars sterilized and ready to make strawberry jam.

My friend, Pam, and her family were also asking for our usual “swap.” Every year we get a bumper crop of strawberries, from May to October, and I never let any go to waste. Into the freezer they go, if we don’t consume them first or use for fresh smoothies.

My son Garrett helped me out in the kitchen.

At times it got messy, but I tried to keep my mouth shut and just enjoy being with Garrett and not criticize him

And in less than an hour we had beautiful jars on the counter, ready for the tantalizing flavor on toast or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

And ready to swap jars with Pam and her family.

She freezes raspberries and makes delicious raspberry jam in the winter and I make strawberry. We swap two pints for two pints. Oh, and a pint went next door to our neighbors!

Do you have a friend that you like to swap with? Jam, meals, babysitting, clothing, outdoor equipment – anything to save money, right?