How I Pinch a Penny: Three methods for making jam

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Sarah Mock

From left: Freezer jam, slow cooker with water bath and slow cooker only.

From left: Freezer jam, slow cooker with water bath and slow cooker only.

Here in southcentral Pennsylvania, it is strawberry season!

We went picking on Saturday because it was overcast and not too terribly hot. The kids are to the age where they are helpful with picking — and not just picking to eat. They are understanding the concept of why we are picking and what these berries will become when we take them home.

They are understanding that a bit of work from them now will yield lots of yummy strawberry treats all year long.

But I am still on the quest for strawberry jam that is thicker than syrup and will hold up when spooned out. So you get to learn from my quest, and hopefully you will find a method that will work for your family.

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Smart Fashion Panel: What is a favorite fashion item someone else bought you?

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Ashley May
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Gifts are fun. They remind us who in our lives really knows what we love and took the time to buy it for us. Sometimes, the gifter shows us something we normally wouldn’t choose, but learn to love. Among fashionistas, this usually means discovering a new designer or becoming obsessed with a style we previously passed over.

This week, the Fashion Panel shares a special accessory that they can’t get enough of, but didn’t buy themselves.

What is a favorite fashion item someone else bought you?
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Check out our July/August 2013 e-zine

Posted on June 12, 2013 by April Trotter

Click to view our e-zine

Click to view our e-zine

I’d never been to the Gettysburg Battlefield until last summer.

Sure, I’d driven past the iconic wooden fences on my way to the wineries with my parents.

I’d even caught a glimpse of the centuries-old farmhouses on my way to visit my best friend from college.

But when I stepped out of photographer Kate Penn’s car for our Smart cover photo shoot, I was in awe.

It was a hot, beautiful day and the sun gleamed off Robert E. Lee atop the Virginia Monument.

We sweated and scoped out our surroundings while we waited for Kristy Coscia and her children.

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Posted in From the editor | 1 Comment

Manners Matter: Say ‘thank you’ to your child’s teacher

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Heidi Thomas

Photo courtesy of Sweet Flour Bake Shop

Photo courtesy of Sweet Flour Bake Shop

The end of the school year is upon us.

Parents are busy selecting gifts to show appreciation to their child’s teacher.

This week, we will review the guidelines and etiquette of teacher gifting.

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Container garden chronicles: The benefits of rain

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Sarah Chain
parsley

Parsley! Quite a bit, actually, but only about a third of my plant’s growth so far.

One of the things I struggle with most in container gardening is giving my plants enough water. The soil in the containers dries out fast, and when we have a slew of 90-degree days, I worry.

But the recent soaking rains have been great for my plants: On Monday, I harvested the first cuts of parsley. (I also forced co-foodie and locavore Miss Reciplease! to smell it as I headed back to my desk, of course.) I’m pretty excited to see how I can work it into dinner this week.

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Posted in Container garden chronicles, Do-It-Yourself, Food, Garden, Gardening, Green living, Home and garden, Local Food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Students: Meet best-selling Civil War author Jeff Shaara

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Sarah Chain
Jeff Shaara

Jeff Shaara began writing in the early 1990s, after his father, Michael, died. (Submitted photo)

Best-selling author Jeff Shaara never intended to be a writer. But a dozen novels and one nonfiction title later, he’s enjoying the ride.

Shaara will be in York County June 27 for a dinner and reception as part of the York County Heritage Trust’s Distinguished Speaker Series. At $125 per ticket, the event is virtually sold out and now has a waiting list.

But if you have a high school or college-aged kid that’s a budding writer, take note: Area students have a special (free!) chance to meet and speak with Shaara.

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The Wiggles ‘Taking Off!’ to visit Hershey Theatre

Posted on June 10, 2013 by April Trotter

Photo courtesy of wiggletime.com

Photo courtesy of wiggletime.com

Make way for a few new Wiggles.

To kick off their 21st season, The Wiggles have announced three new cast members. The first-ever female Wiggle, Emma Watkins, will play the Yellow Wiggle. She will be joined by founding member Anthony Field (the Blue Wiggle), Simon Pryce (the Red Wiggle) and Lachlan Gillespie (the Purple Wiggle).

The group will take the stage with Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus at the Hershey Theater for shows at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 18.

Tickets are $19, $25.50, $40.50 and $77 (tax and applicable fees apply) and are available at Hershey Theatre Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3405 and purchased online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com.

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Of Pots and Pens: Chocolate-dipped, peanut-coated peanut butter cookies

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Rebecca LeFever
Photo by Rebecca LeFever ofpotsandpens.com

Photo by Rebecca LeFever ofpotsandpens.com

These are prettttty tasty.

I made a batch of these to take to Ohio for a week long visit we have planned with my fiance Will’s family. I started taking baked goods after Will’s Dad did my taxes for the first time. It was my way of thanking him for keeping me out of jail should I have to do my own taxes. They would be royally messed up.

Then the baked goods continued when Will’s youngest brother started college and we sent him care packages.

So I’ve been on this kick. And this idea of chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies is amazing as a reality.

Kind of like peanut butter cups but in a soft cookie form. That’s what you do when you have chocolate chips and don’t want plain old cookies.

Want to see the recipe and more photos? Visit Of Pots and Pens.

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‘Disney Junior Live on Tour! Pirate and Princess Adventure’ coming to Hershey Theatre

Posted on June 8, 2013 by April Trotter

Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment, Inc.

Calling all preschoolers.

See “Sofia the First” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” live on stage. The characters from the top-performing cable kids’ programs will appear at the Hershey Theater Nov. 9.

“Children everywhere are falling in love with Sofia and Jake, and we are thrilled to bring these popular Disney Junior characters to the stage for the first time ever,” said producer Alana Feld in a press release.

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Catch up with Smart this weekend

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Sarah Chain

Smart magazine logoAh, the weekend. Take a break this morning, grab a cup of coffee and catch up with Smart:

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Posted in Family, Food, Gardening, Green living, Health and fitness, Home and garden, Recipes, Things to do | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment