A Jam Shame

All week I had it planned that today would be jam-making day. Scott took the car to work, as I planned on spending the day jamming. I had bought a load of gorgeous apricots to make apricot jam with. Fifi sat in her high chair with her breakfast, and I got to work.

However, it's worth noting that Fifi is sick. So am I but not as bad as she.

So after not very long at all, Fifi got very upset with being in the kitchen, so I had to put her in the living room and pass back and forth between rooms, comforting and stirring.

The jam was almost set. The house smelled magnificent. I scooped some jam onto a chilled plate to test it. Fifi called. I let the jam cool on the plate while I went to her. And then, what do I smell? Not beautiful jam, but BURNING jam. I ran to the kitchen and sure enough, my gorgeous apricot jam had instantly turned into a black, smoking, stinking mess.

I was pissed.

I couldn't help but be annoyed at Fifi. I was so annoyed. I blamed her in my head. I scooped her up and put her in her high chair while I tried to clean up the burnt jam (not an easy task). Then I decided it was time to put her down for a nap.

I grumbled as I lay next to her, nursing her to sleep. That's when she started coughing hard. And harder. And then she threw up all over the bed. My feelings were immediately turned to sympathy, and I felt so bad for being angry at her. I held her while she cried and continued to throw up all over me and the bed another two times. I carried her to the bath, stripped her (and me) and put her in the bath, cooing at her and calling her a 'good girl' and all that. It sure put my jam in perspective.

Scott came home for lunch so I could take the car for the afternoon. I bundled Fifi right up, and even though I felt bad about taking her out into the cold, I really wanted more apricots. I knew now how long it takes to set and the jars were already sterilised. But wouldn't you know it, the grocery store was completely out of apricots.

I'm devestated.

So I bought some peaches instead, and I'll try some peach jam.

Tomorrow. When Scott is home to care for Fifi at the critical moment of jam-making.

I've now got Fifi sitting in front of the TV in her Bumbo, watching Jeeves & Wooster. She's still as a rock. I hope she's okay....