My sister and I grew up running barefoot through 10 acres of dense Florida woods. That 10-acre farm held our home, my grandmother’s home (a house my grandfather built with his own hands), a chicken coup, a fresh vegetable garden, a plethora of climbable trees and hiding spots only we knew about, and a gazillion wild blueberry bushes.
How Country Girls Spend Summer
Our summers were simple. Sometimes, we helped my grandmother collect eggs or pick fresh veggies out of her garden. Lord knows I’ve shelled more than my fair share of peas. If I never have to hull another butter bean, I’ll be happy.  During late summer afternoons, we’d play Hide and Seek, coming home when the lightning bugs twinkled like secretive pixies hiding in the darkened woodland scrubs.
My sister and I picked the sweetest wild blueberries. When the dinner bell rang, we came home covered in scratches, mosquito bites, red clay, and blueberry juice. Â Believe me. That stuff gets everywhere!
Sometimes, we’d take a 5-gallon bucket and fill the buckets with the wild berries. Â My dad sometimes sold them to his work buddies. Sometimes, we’d give some to my grandmother.
My grandmother frequently canned her garden bounty. I remember a huge barrel full of pickles she used to prop her kitchen door open. She also made the sweetest homemade rum for her rum cakes. Â It seemed like always cooked.
One of my favorite memories, I was so small that I had to stand on a chair to see over the counter top. Â I stood on a large swivel chair my grandfather carved from a whiskey barrel. I’d eat her raw biscuit dough faster than she could cut them out.
My Second Home
To me, my grandmother’s house was a second home. I spent so much time there and had such a close relationship with my grandparents that I called their home my playhouse. I remember my grandfather pulling me in my red Radio Flyer wagon down the long, bumpy dirt path separating our patch of woods from theirs. My favorite and earliest memories come from that farm.
My own family moved around a bit. In fact, in my entire life, I’ve never lived in one place for more than five years. However, I’ve lived on that farm several times. When I was born, my mother had a little trailer there. After that, we moved to Grand Bay, a small town in southern Alabama. When I was 10, we moved back to that farm – putting our own trailer right in the same spot my mother lived when I was born. Then, when I was 15, we moved to the other side of town.
When I was an adult, I moved back there again with my own two small children – into that same trailer. Again, we lived there five years, and I moved.
The House That Built Me
Have you heard the song by Miranda Lambert? The House that Built Me? (If not, I linked to it so you can hear it. It’s free with Amazon Prime). In a lot of ways, that patch of woods is the home that built me. Whenever I felt broken, it was where I felt safe. I always knew that place as my home. Don’t get me wrong. I feel like my parent’s house is home, but we didn’t move there till I was 15 – and I moved out three years later. Their house wasn’t the ever-present home from my childhood.
Unfortunately, I said my final goodbyes to the family place a few weeks ago. The neighborhood is changing. It’s no longer a small farming community. Huge, overcrowded covenanted subdivisions and gated communities are springing up overnight and pushing the small, country folks out. My grandmother couldn’t take care of the place anymore. So she sold the land and moved in next to my parents.
We all got together to help her move. It was a family affair. My nephew, niece, husband, parents, grandmother, and great-uncle gathered to help her move into her beautiful new place. It’s a charming modular home that suits her well.
Conflicted
While I am happy for my grandmother and feel it is all for the best, I find myself conflicted. I can never go back to that home. The one place that represented stability is gone. Soon, concrete driveways will replace that dirt path. Houses with yards so close together that a person can spit in their neighbor’s lawn will replace the rambling forest. Â Street lights will displace the lightning bugs.
I guess that’s the difference for me – Miranda Lambert could go back to her childhood home. I cannot.
Thankfully, when we moved back home to Florida, David and I were blessed enough to find some wooded acreage that reminds me of home. I think it’s a place I’d finally like to live for more than five years.
Recreating Memories
But like the song – I did take my memories. And I left for the last time.
That place is an essential part of who I am. While I will mourn its loss, I have many memories that I can pass on. I have my photos. I have good times. And I can do things that remind me of home. Like remembering the familiar smells of my grandmother’s  southern cooking and her homemade jam.
My mother brought us a ton of blueberries from her bushes, and I was especially missing the old place. Moving was still fresh. I decided to make my own blueberry jam.
Since David is diabetic, I modified it. So, this isn’t exactly like my Grandmother’s blueberry jam. I don’t add any sugar at all. Â The blueberries are sweet enough, in my opinion. Give it a taste after it’s done cooking. If it needs a little sweetness, stir in a little agave or monk fruit to taste.
I couldn’t resist having a spoon of it with goat cheese and crackers right after I made it. It was delicious! And peaceful -and almost as sweet as the memories it inspired.
This no-sugar added blueberry jam uses no pectin, but relies on the fruit's natural pectin for thickening. It gets its sweetness from the blueberries themselves and a surprise ingredient - a handful of raisins. Vanilla adds a bit of unexpected flavor depth. This makes a small batch of about 1 1/2 pints.
Place an empty saucer in the freezer.
Combine all ingredients except vanilla into a pot.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium, uncover, and allow to cook for about 15 minutes - until most of the liquid is gone.
Place a small spoon of jam onto plate in the freezer. Allow to sit in freezer for a couple of minutes. Touch the jam. If it's gel-like, it's ready. Otherwise, give it a few more minutes on the stove.
When it's ready, stir in vanilla.
Taste for sweetness. If you prefer it sweeter, stir in a little monk fruit or agave syrup. I added about 1/4 cup agave syrup at this point because David likes things a bit sweeter.
Pour into jar and refrigerate. It should stay fresh for a month.
Serving Size 2 tbsp
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 19
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 0g
- Saturated Fat 0g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 0mg
- Potassium 33mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 6g2%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 4g
- Protein 0g
- Vitamin A 0%
- Vitamin C 2%
- Calcium 0%
- Iron 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
Directions
Place an empty saucer in the freezer.
Combine all ingredients except vanilla into a pot.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium, uncover, and allow to cook for about 15 minutes - until most of the liquid is gone.
Place a small spoon of jam onto plate in the freezer. Allow to sit in freezer for a couple of minutes. Touch the jam. If it's gel-like, it's ready. Otherwise, give it a few more minutes on the stove.
When it's ready, stir in vanilla.
Taste for sweetness. If you prefer it sweeter, stir in a little monk fruit or agave syrup. I added about 1/4 cup agave syrup at this point because David likes things a bit sweeter.
Pour into jar and refrigerate. It should stay fresh for a month.
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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80 Comments
Enjoying seasonal produce fresh from Florida farms • TaylorLife
February 26, 2018 - 11:51 pm[…] about all these fresh delights spurred my appetite. It also stirs memories of growing up on a small Florida farm. I’m eager to dive into some fresh sauteed snap beans and tomatoes. On future trips, […]
Elizabeth O
August 23, 2017 - 1:48 pmI’ve never been a fan of blueberry jams but yours sounds delicious. I love the addition of vanilla and the huge reduction of sugar. I’d love to try your recipe.
Vanessa
August 23, 2017 - 3:53 amThis recipe looks good, but I assume that the memories make it even more special! I feel the same with my mom’s strawberry jam
cookilicious
August 22, 2017 - 3:16 pmI always love it when a recipe rekindles so many wonderful memories.
Swathi
August 21, 2017 - 10:04 pmI born and brought up in India but now going to visit my family back there is not easy I always think yes almost 3 years I have made a visit. Yes family home and grandma is always fond memories. Happy to hear about your memories too. Love these blueberry jam, homemade is best.
Alicia Taylor
August 22, 2017 - 9:39 amI just saw her yesterday 🙂 It was heartwarming. I am glad that I don’t live far away anymore. It must be hard being separated from family for so long.
Krizia Velez | Reckless Babe
August 21, 2017 - 11:51 amMy grandparents home in Mexico City was like a second home for me as well… I spent most of the winter breaks there when I was little. I miss them and it a lot, same as you, I have memories that will never forget. On another note, I can’t wait to try the blueberry jam!
Alicia Taylor
August 21, 2017 - 1:27 pmI hope you do try it! Be sure to let me know if you do 😀
Marlynn Schotland
August 21, 2017 - 10:17 amI love fresh homemade berry jam! I think we’ve made so many different kinds but can you believe we’ve never made blueberry? We always pick so many blueberries each year and I’ll have to try your recipe!
Alicia Taylor
August 21, 2017 - 1:27 pmIt is really easy to make. I’ve made several kinds, too – but blueberry is my favorite by far.
Christine - Jar Of Lemons
August 20, 2017 - 7:04 pmObsessed! This looks so incredible. I’m really loving blueberries right now, so I definitely want to try it out!
Noel Lizotte
August 20, 2017 - 9:19 amfood and memories are so often tightly bound. Thanks for sharing your recipe! I’ll be trying it out.
nicoleflintkontrol
August 20, 2017 - 5:15 amChildhood memories are the best! Mmmmm thay bluberry jam recipe sounds amazing, even with the goat cheese. Savory and sweet 🙂
Veena Azmanov
August 20, 2017 - 4:49 amLove the wonderful memories of you and your grandmother. Those are the best ones. I love Blueberry Jam and I am too make it without any pectic. It’s the best and most delicious.. I always love the color or blueberry jam the best!
Via Bella
August 19, 2017 - 8:16 pmI would not thought that blueberries and vanilla go together in a jam. That sounds delicious.
XO
Gloria Duggan
August 19, 2017 - 5:15 pmI loved reading about you and your grandma. I too have wonderful memories about her….I would visit every day after school. Now that I am a gramma myself, I am trying to create wonderful memories with my grandkids too. As for blueberries….they are my favourite berry of all. My aunt had a fruit orchard when I was young. It did not have berries, but I spent lots of time picking pears, cherries, plums and peaches.
Alicia Taylor
August 21, 2017 - 1:30 pmYes – I think grandparents play such an integral part of children’s lives. I am really blessed to still be able to visit with my grandmother and continue making memories with her. The jam is delicious – and like you – we grew up with all kinds of fruit trees. My grandmother had persimmons, kumquat, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and – my favorite – figs.
alisonrost
August 19, 2017 - 1:00 amI too grew up on a farm, although is in Iowa. I have the most wonderful memories of the church ladies getting together to make jam on Saturday afternoons. There was nothing better in the winter time than pulling out a jar of jam made with fresh-off-the-vine berries! x
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
August 18, 2017 - 9:25 pmOh my goodness, aren’t childhood memories the best?! I love blueberry jam, it’s one of my favorites, and I love the sound of adding vanilla.
Gabriel
August 18, 2017 - 4:32 pmI’m in the exact boat. My father died unexpectedly a couple of years back and trying to decide what to do with the cabin that he and I spent three years building is heartbreaking.
Alicia Taylor
August 18, 2017 - 10:02 pmI’m sorry for your loss. I know it’s been a while, but I’m sure you still miss him daily. I hope you are able to come to peace with whatever decision needs to be made.
Tanvi Rastogi (@Tanviidotcom)
August 18, 2017 - 10:48 amWith time I have realized the concept of ‘home’ is quite transparent. It is more of a place in my heart than physical presence. But I get what you meant there. I have never had blueberry jam. I always go for strawberry 😀
keisha1989
August 18, 2017 - 10:16 amI love blueberries! this jam sounds amazing!!
brigettedanielle
August 18, 2017 - 8:22 amI remember picking mulberries all summer with my grandma to make jam! It was the best part of my summers, besides camping lol. This sounds really easy and yummy!
Vanessa
August 18, 2017 - 6:03 amThanks for sharing this recipe. My mother is considering selling the family house and my heart sinks every time I think of it
Alicia Taylor
August 18, 2017 - 10:38 amWhile it’s a sad occasion, I hope that you can hold on to some positive memories.
Allison
August 17, 2017 - 8:27 pmThis recipe is mouth watering! I’ve never tried adding vanilla to a jam before but it sounds wonderful.
Alicia Taylor
August 18, 2017 - 10:39 amIt is. It’s not extremely noticeable, but it does add a mellow flavor.
Amber K
August 17, 2017 - 1:26 pmYou know, I don’t think I’ve ever had blueberry jam. Strawberry is my go to, but I’m going to have to try this now.
Alicia Taylor
August 17, 2017 - 1:50 pmI’m betting this would work with strawberries, too! I haven’t ever tried it – but it’s a favorite.
Shannon Gurnee
August 17, 2017 - 11:30 amI am very excited to start making jam. This combination sounds delicious!
kleebanks
August 17, 2017 - 9:08 amThe blueberry jam looks scrumptious! I can relate on losing your childhood home. My Dad passed away in 2002, and my Mom in 2011. My siblings and I were left with the task of cleaning out the old homestead and selling it, and the profit was split four ways as our inheritance, since our parents were not wealthy for any other kind of inheritance. It is sad that we can no longer go back to that place we called home.
Alicia Taylor
August 17, 2017 - 1:53 pmI am very sorry for your loss. It’s hard to say goodbye to the place, but I am blessed that I still have my grandmother.
Lynndee
August 16, 2017 - 11:43 amGreat story! This reminds me of our house where I grew up. We checked it out on our recent vacation to my hometown and it was no longer there and the place didn’t look like the place I remember. 🙂 Anyway, thanks for sharing your jam recipe. Looks good!
Alicia Taylor
August 16, 2017 - 1:55 pmI know that was disappointing for you. I hope you enjoy the jam recipe 😀
Carol Cassara
August 16, 2017 - 7:51 amThat’s really lovely! I’ve always enjoyed the combination of blueberry and goat cheese. This jam looks so good! I’d love to keep the recipe, thank you.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
August 16, 2017 - 4:38 amWild Blueberry and vanilla sounds like the perfect breakfast treat to me! #NomNomNom Get in me Belly! 🙂
HilLesha
August 16, 2017 - 12:17 amHow delicious! I have always loved blueberry jam, but I have never actually made my own before. I need to try to sometime, though!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane
August 15, 2017 - 5:15 pmI love blueberries so much. In about 2 weeks the neighboring town has their annual Blueberry Festival and I count down every year.
Amy @ The Cook Report
August 15, 2017 - 3:48 pmI love the idea of adding vanilla to this jam, sounds delicious
Meyer Food Blog
August 15, 2017 - 3:37 pmI could eat this without anything – awesome, thanks!
Jenn
August 15, 2017 - 2:55 pmWhat amazing memories! Sounds like the perfect childhood. And this jam looks wonderful too!
Hannah Healy
August 15, 2017 - 2:52 pmThis looks so yummy and tasty! Ready to put it on everything and anything.
brandidcrawfordgmailcom
August 15, 2017 - 2:49 pmYum! This looks delicious! I love that you paired it with goat cheese.
Mrs. Jilly Spellman
August 15, 2017 - 2:48 pmThis jam looks incredible Alicia! I would have never thought of using raisins! The pictures are mouthwatering.
Carrie Chance
August 15, 2017 - 7:38 amOh that looks and sounds amazing. I was craving blueberries last night and this would have hit the spot for sure. Yum!
Dogvills
August 15, 2017 - 2:00 amThis sounds yummy. Both my husband and dad are suffering from diabetis. I want to make this for them. Thanks for the recipe.
Alicia Taylor
August 15, 2017 - 11:53 amMy husband really enjoys it. He also has diabetes, so I try to find recipes that don’t use artificial sweeteners that are still low-glycemic.
Ricci
August 15, 2017 - 1:59 amOh gosh this jam sounds amazing!! I would love to make my own jam one day!!
Alicia Taylor
August 15, 2017 - 11:54 amIt’s so easy! It only takes 30 minutes, too!
Reesa
August 14, 2017 - 10:45 pmI love reading about your special memories. We just planted blueberry bushes.
Alicia Taylor
August 15, 2017 - 11:54 amI love my wild blueberries. It’s nice to have them fresh every year – and I don’t have to pay grocery store prices for them.
NYCTechMommy
August 14, 2017 - 9:08 pmYou had me at jam! Crackers and jam are my go to snack when I need something a little sweet. I must try this! Crazy how food can be so connected to our childhood memories. 🙂
Alicia Taylor
August 15, 2017 - 11:55 amIsn’t it though? The sense of smell is the #1 memory trigger for people and food is strongly tied to the olfactory senses. So it does make sense that it would bring comfort.
Kristin
August 14, 2017 - 8:42 pmThis looks so great! My kids would love to do this as a family!
Candy Olivares
August 14, 2017 - 8:27 pmMy kiddos just love blueberries. We are going to have to make this for their lunches.
fashionbeyondforty
August 14, 2017 - 7:45 pmIt is sad not to be able to go back home to the place of our best memories. I need acreage! At least a little! I would love to have my own blueberries growing ! I may have to try this next year. Now truth is, you had me at JAM. All of my life I have been a HUGE lover of quality jams. I love your recipe and plan to try it!
Gingermommy
August 14, 2017 - 7:30 pmWow! This looks amazing and delicious. Homemade JAM! My family would love this, there is nothing better in the morning that a good jam on toast!
Dawn Nieves
August 14, 2017 - 6:51 pmThank you for sharing your memories with us. It sounds like you have some really wonderful memories there. And this jam looks delicious. I cannot wait to try it!
Rebecca
August 14, 2017 - 5:54 pmI miss the simple life before electronics. Don’t get me wrong I love my computer but I miss spending summer by the lake swimming and picking fresh berries for homemade jam. Those were the days.
Alicia Taylor
August 14, 2017 - 5:55 pmThose were the days. I was just telling David the other day that if someone dropped a bomb that eliminated all electronics, I would not miss it.
Eloise
August 14, 2017 - 5:33 pmmy mother makes jam every now and then, I have yet to try it, but I should try your recipe and surprise her with it! blueberries are one of my favorite fruits and they’re so good for you (superfood!) thanks for sharing ; )
Alicia Taylor
August 14, 2017 - 5:55 pmI bet she would love it – and with the vanilla and lemon, it’s got an interesting flavor. It’s so easy to make, too!
Alecia
August 14, 2017 - 5:24 pmI grew in in the country, near my grandparents dairy farm. I have so many memories there. It stopped being a working dairy somewhere in my early teens but even now I go back to pick feral apples off the trees planted by my great grandparents. My grandfather died in January and the farm has been on my mind more than usual.
Alicia Taylor
August 14, 2017 - 5:58 pmIt’s interesting how a place can have a stabilizing influence. When things are hard, I really crave the quiet life at my grandparents place. I’m sorry for your loss, Alecia. I hope you are close enough to drive by and pick some apples again – and keep your grandfather, your connection to him, his connection to your great-grands – and the all of your connections to the land – in peaceful thoughts.
irishred13
August 14, 2017 - 4:47 pmThat jam looks delicious! Where can I get a jar 😉
Alicia Taylor
August 14, 2017 - 5:07 pmIt’s easy to make 🙂 Recipe in the bottom
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
August 14, 2017 - 4:29 pmYummo! Our neighbors have blueberry bushes, so I see some delicious blueberry jam in our future next year! Om nom nom.
Alicia Taylor
August 14, 2017 - 5:59 pmYou should make a little extra for your neighbors. It has an unexpected flavor twist
Rena
August 13, 2017 - 9:36 pmWhat a beautiful memory extremely well told! I have two year old twin grandchildren who spend a lot of time here and I hope their memories are as sweet as yours after I’m gone.
Alicia Taylor
August 14, 2017 - 11:28 amI hope they do, as well. My memories with my grandparents are some of my most precious. I am blessed that she is still alive and my adult children have gotten to know her. My mom and dad have been there to provide “grandparent” memories for my children as well. Grandparents are a vital part of children’s lives.
Cognitive Script ~ Dawn
August 11, 2017 - 5:29 pmGood job with the words but thank you for sharing your memories and heart. I do love that song! The house that built me no longer stands and is but a distant memory.
Alicia Taylor
August 14, 2017 - 11:31 amI got to see her sing it live in concert before it was released on an album. It became my favorite right away – and I’ve always related that song to my grandmother’s place. I didn’t know how much that song would mean to me.
Jules B
August 11, 2017 - 4:44 pmSuch great use of your words!!! This jam looks amazing. My Gigi LOVES blueberries. House that Built Me is one of my favorite songs ever. Great post!! Thank you for sharing the memories and recipe!!!
Karen
August 11, 2017 - 2:54 pmYou got my words!!!! Great job and welcome!!!! Wonderful memories, I know it was bittersweet when my parents sold the home I grew up in. I am happy for them, but wow, what a surreal situation.
So going to try this! My guy loves blueberries.
Alicia Taylor
August 11, 2017 - 3:02 pmYes – it won’t just be sold, though. They are going to tear it all down and build an apartment condo complex. And yes – your words took on a feeling of their own 🙂
bakinginatornado
August 11, 2017 - 11:10 amSuch a bittersweet time. I’m glad your grandmother is in a house that suits her, but I know it must be hard not to be able to return to the place you came to know as home.
Hubs and I are blueberry lovers. Your recipe looks amazing.
Alicia Taylor
August 11, 2017 - 12:00 pmWe love blueberries, too. And yes – that recipe is good. It makes a small batch, but it’s easily doubled. I am very happy my grandmother is nearer to my mother now. And her new home is beautiful.
Tamara Gerber
August 11, 2017 - 9:48 amSorry to hear your “home” you could always come back to is now gone. Good thing you made lots of wonderful memories! Eating that delicious blueberry jam will certainly bring back those memories.
Nice job on your first USE YOUR WORDS!
Alicia Taylor
August 11, 2017 - 12:01 pmThank you, Tamara! Yes, I have many wonderful memories growing up there. The place meant so much to me that, when we moved back home to Florida, my husband made sure we bought a place with lots of trees 🙂