nautical potluck

Lydia is awesome.  She said she had been wanting to throw a nautical-themed party for a long time and asked if I wanted to help.  I had heard rumors about Lydia's parties so of course I wanted to be involved...and learn from the master.  Mostly I tied up forks and napkins with baker's twine and Lifesavers as she suggested and made some deviled egg sailboats.  The rest of the time I sat back in awe.  There's something magical about this woman and the amount of STUFF she has on hand ready to decorate any and every surface.  There were whale garlands, old glass bottles, shower curtains, lace tablecloths, bolts of shimmery fabric, darling striped straws, pearls, gems, etc.  When we sent out the invitation we asked that guests get onto Pinterest for ideas for the potluck dishes they would bring.  They did not disappoint us.  Just look at that darling crab tuna salad sandwich and the orange boats sitting on an ocean of J-ello.  It made lunch SOOOO fun.  The next potluck is scheduled for early next month.

Credit:  J-ello- Lindsey M., Crab tuna sandwiches- Courtney V.

apricot pineapple jam

My friend Sandi from my high school days came to visit and brought her family along whom I'd never met.  She brought us some homemade jam and we were fortunate enough that Sandi shared the recipe with us. 
apricot pineapple jam (my friend Sandi was given this recipe from her Grandpa)
3 1/2 pounds apricots (5-6 cups finely chopped, unpeeled apricots)
lemon, juiced
1 can pineapple in rings
4 1/2 cups sugar
box of Sure Jell pectin (Sandi uses the "for less" or "no sugar" recipe with sugar)


Measure 5 cups prepared apricots into a 6 or 8 quart pot.  Squeeze about 2 tablespoons lemon juice over the apricots.
Take the pineapple rings out of the can reserving the juice they come in.  Cut the rings into roughly 1/2 inch squares and add it to the pot.
Pour about 1/4 cup of the reserved pineapple juice in and mix it all together.
Stir the pectin into the prepared fruit in the pot.
Bring mixture to a full rolling boil on high heat, stirring constantly.  Stir in sugar.  Bring to full rolling boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops.  Wipe jar rims and threads.  Cover with two-piece lids  Screw bands tightly.  Place jars on elevated rack in canner.  Process 10 minutes.  Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely.  After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger.
Put it on the stove in a large saucepan, stirring often until everything looks nicely blended together, about 10 minutes.  If the apricots don't look like they are breaking down or your pineapple chunks are too big,  take a potato masher to them.