I spent the bulk of the last two weeks in Austin, TX with my sister and her guy, waiting for their first baby to be born. I cooked more food that I can now remember, tucked a few batches of soup into the freezer for the future, cleaned their house, walked their lovely dog Hopi and ate a great deal of tacos.
While I was in Austin, I spent time with Kate (she put me up for my final three nights in town, which was such a gift), finally met Stephanie (her apple and rosemary jam is one of the best things I’ve tasted recently), saw the luminous Becca play at the Saxon Pub and did my darnedest to get my work done and keep up with this blog while moving every few days. I met my paying deadlines, but things fell a little silent around these parts. I do hope you all understand.
On my last day in Austin, just as I had surrendered to the idea that I was going to miss the birth of my nephew, Raina went into labor. She spent nearly 12 hours in thrall to the rhythm of delivery and I was there for nearly all of it. It was an incredibly intense day but one I’m so very grateful to have been part of. The new little family of Raina, Andrew and Emmett is home and they are all working on adjusting to the newness of it all.
I realize that this has no real connection to jars or the food that goes in them, but somehow it just felt right to check in and share a bit of this experience. However, for those of you who read strictly for the recipes, worry not. I’ll be back tomorrow with a pear cinnamon jam that will knock your socks right off.
Congratulations, Aunt Marisa! What I’ve found is that it only gets more fun and more wonderful as they get older, and it’s pretty darn great even from the start. I look forward to seeing Emmett do some canning with you in years to come!
Congratulations to you and your whole family!
What a sweetie–congrats!
Thanks Meryl!
new babies are at least as delicious as jam!!
That they are!
I made apple rosemary jelly for the first time this year. It’s an interesting flavor combination. I think it could be good used as a glaze for a seitan roast or maybe mixed with a little whole seed mustard for a dipping sauce. I’m thinking of trying a thyme apple jelly if I have time this fall.
Emmett is gorgeous, congrats to the whole fam! I loved having you here and can’t wait for Auntie’s visits back to Austin.
So glad you were able to be there for the birth. Congrats, Auntie Marisa!
Baby food comes in jars.
Get to work! 😉
Don’t rush, I can stare at that baby for hours waiting on the jam recipe! Congrats!
He’s beautiful! Congratulations, Auntie. So good of you to be there with your sister through it! Hope she’s well.
Congratulations to you and your family!! Of course it has to do with Food in Jars- food is love, family is love, it all works for me!
FELICIDADES CON SU NUEVO BEBE QUE DIOS LO BENDIGA
Congrats to the new family member!
What a beautiful babe and how amazing to have been there for the labor and delivery! Congrats to the new parents.
Congrats on the new nephew!! I had a niece born just last week as well…but, couldn’t be there in person this time…unfortunately. How great is it that your sister went into labor the day you were leaving!
Oh, that is so exciting. Congratulations!
Congratulations to everyone, and what a beautiful baby!
Nothing wrong with forgoing recipes to share that kind of news…Congratulations Auntie!
Baby food in jars! The whole birth thing is an amazing experience both as a witness and as a mother. Congratulations to you all!
Congratulation!! Children are a blessing.
It does have a sort of metaphorical connection. Baby boy came out of his vessel, his mom’s womb, his jar. Best one yet I’d say. Congratulations.
Congratulations on your new little nephew! How wonderful that you were able to share that experience with your sister!!! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
congratulations auntie!! How exciting to have been there. Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a wonderful experience to have shared with us….thank you so much for letting us be there with you! Welcome to the WORLD little one! From the WEST PORTICO, P
Congratulations on the new member of your precious family. Enjoy.
Of course it relates to Food in Jars! I just ordered a jar of the mentioned apple rosemary jam- how could I not??!!? And I purchased some salted caramel pear butter as well. Thanks for the recommendation.