New Item: McGrath Family Farms Strawberry Jam

Back by popular demand, my award-winning Gaviota Strawberry Jam using berries freshly picked from McGrath Family Farms. This is a premium jam using 100 percent organic strawberries. $12 for an 8 oz. jar.

I only make a limited supply so when I'm out, I'm out.

Until next time, of course.

Come get yours this Saturday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2600 Paloma Street, Pasadena. The event, benefiting Norma Coombs Alternative School, is free and open to the public.

My Gaviota Strawberry Jam makes the perfect Mother's Day gift.

The Life of a Chicken

At Mothercluck, we’ve been working as hard as a brood of hens to produce some of the best artisan jam your mouth will ever taste. Right now we’re getting the most out of our citrus as the season winds down -- gorgeous, tasty marmalades and candied citrus. Soon we’ll focus our efforts on the bounty of plump strawberries on the horizon.

This Saturday, you can taste the deliciousness of our citrus at the launch of GOOD LA, a new local community market at Atwater Crossing, 3229 Casitas Ave., in Atwater Village.  You can learn more about living a more sustainable life, stop by the DIY workshops and shop for locally made goods.  The weekend event is free but feel inclined to RSVP because some events will fill up.

Mothercluck will set up shop from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, along with a handful of other local artisans such as Créme Caramel LA and Cast Iron Gourmet. We’re happy to join them.

If you are in Atwater Village, stop by and give a cluck! 

Buy LOCAL: Two Great Events Saturday!

Your Saturday morning errand schedule might be tight, but there's no reason not to support two events happening in the Pasadena community. Both events are located mere minutes of each other.

On your way to the local grocer, stop by and support local artisans who have baked for the Bake Sale for Japan. The nearest location for Pasadena-area residents is at the Chef's Center in Pasadena, 45 N. San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadena. Mothercluck Artisanal Jams, Jellies, and Preserves has donated some goodies, plus there's delicious breads, cookies, and other sweets for sale. Proceeds from the event go directly toward Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. The sale begins at 10 a.m.

You'll be thanking us in July if you buy LOCAL and purchase your tomatoes and other delicious fruits and vegetables from Ardenwoods Edibles and Winnetka Farms. Meet the farmers behind this one-day-only sale as they host a seedling and seed sale from 8 a.m. to noon. Ardenwoods is located in Pasadena (email me for address info). There is no entry fee to purchase your locally grown starter plants.

So stop by, sniff some basil and fresh tomato greens, taste some jam, and say hello!

Local Fruit?

Although I served as the messenger for this story, the intent is clear: if you live in the Pasadena/Altadena area and have time and/or fruit that needs gleaning from your trees, the Arroyo Time Bank wants to hear from you!

Tons of fruit are going to waste in our region. Let them help serve nutritious, delicious fruit and juice to some of the areas neediest families.

Send them an email at ATBFruitHarvest@gmail.com, and see how you can make a difference.

Bake Sale for Japan

Mothercluck Artisanal Jams, Jellies, and Preserves, along with other local artisans, will be participating in an old fashioned bake sale to benefit the Japanese Tsunami and Earthquake victims. The Bake Sale for Japan event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 2.

If you are in the Los Angeles region, please check out any one of the 27 host sites for the event. The funds raised will benefit a Japanese aid group called Peace Winds Japan.

Mothercluck's items will be sold at the Chef's Center of California, 45 N. San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadena. If you know anyone in the 'hood, please encourage them to support this tremendous cause.

Together, we can make a difference to help those in need.

Buy Local! -- SALE This Weekend, Sat., April 2

Meet the farmers behind Ardenwoods Edibles and Winnetka Farms as they have a seedling and seed sale from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 2. Ardenwoods is located in Pasadena (contact me for address info). 

If you buy local, you'll KNOW where your starter plants come from! Start from beautiful, organic, HEALTHY seedlings and you will eliminate the problems you might face later this summer. Plus both nurseries carry varieties you won't find elsewhere -- guaranteed!

Mothercluck Artisanal Jams, Jellies, and Preserves also will be selling their delicious, small batch jams. Stop by, shop, taste some jam, and say hello!

Food for Thought

Delicious meal worms for the chickens. Gone in seconds.

I really do need to begin harvesting my own maggots.

Suggestions anyone?