There’s a reason that State Fairs are so commonplace in August you know. In fact the American county fair is the very symbol of a celebration of plenty, of community and of pride in the fruits of labor. VERY much a ripple effect from what was called ‘The First Harvest’ during the magical, mystical days of olde.

But, back to now. After all the work of planting, watering and weeding is done, August is THE time of year to show off the fruits (and flowers and veggies!) of your hard work especially if they are included in a Magically Delicious jelly or jam!

And please do remember what the Queen said to Alice after she fell down that hole: “The rule is jam tomorrow and ham yesterday but NEVER jam today.”

Okay, let’s get jammin’, but, also let me just say that you can thank Maria, a client I am scheduled to have a long distance consult with this coming Monday, for today’s apricot inspiration. She and I just hung the line from our ‘pre’ consult, an intel gathering effort I use with every personal client consult. When I encouraged her to feel free to let me know a few of her ‘wishes’ …. hopes or dreams that she would like to see manifest from the results of this reading….she told me that she’d like to find love. Truly supportive happily ever after LOVE.

Got me to thinking about all the LOVE related recipes I have floating around just waiting for that next book to go to print. Some so secret and magical that I’ve saved them just for us. Like this…..shhhhhhhhhhh……Apricot nectar……a combo of the pulp of that fruit, sugar and water with a magical mantra sung over it (OM KURUKULLE (imagine/visualize the person you would love to love and intentionally visualize them now) VASAM-KURU SVAHA (don’t email me for pronunciation…it’s self evident) and then imagine a blazing red light surrounding the person you’re thinking about/imagining while drinking that nectar down. You’ll see. It’s Magical. And Delicious.

OR, you can be a bit less magical and instead of winning another’s heart win a Blue Ribbon at your County Fair with:

APRICOT ROSE GERANIUM JAM

Makes approx 7 cups

Ingredients:

3 1/2 lbs fresh apricots

1 tablespoon finely chopped geranium leaves

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

4 1/2 cups sugar

1 package of SURE JELL LIGHT

7 whole geranium leaves, dipped in boiling water and left to dry on paper towels.

Pit the fruit and finely chop. Measure out six cups of chopped apricots, skin on and put them and the finely minced geranium leaves as well as the lemon juice in a large kettle pot. Follow the directions for making ‘cooked jam’ that comes with the SURE JELL LIGHT. As you stir, make the shape of a heart over and over and over again. After you pour the jam into cleaned/sterilized Mason jars, top each jar with a fresh geranium leaf and seal and refrigerate or keep in a cool, dark place.

Just LOVE this recipe! And KNOW that you will too! XOE

Author's Bio: 

Ellen Whitehurst is a Lifestylist and Ultimate Health and Wellness expert as well as the author of the bestselling MAKE THIS YOUR LUCKY DAY (Random House, 2008.) Ellen is recognized as the country’s premier expert in Feng Shui and other empowering modalities. A former monthly columnist for both ‘Redbook’ and ‘Seventeen’ magazines, Ellen is also a recurrent contributor to The Huffington Post and John Edward’s InfiniteQuest.com among others.

Ellen is also the newest Health and Wellness expert for DoctorOz.com. She has two bestsellers on the Top Ten course list at DailyOM.com and can be found offering her own hugely popular hybrid of Feng Shui and Astrology (called ‘Shuistrology’) right here on her website.

Whitehurst is a recurrent radio and television guest and is currently working on her own reality television show called ‘Cookin’ Up The Good Life with Ellen Whitehurst.’ Join with thousands of others and check out her daily musings and easy, empowering advice on her Facebook page.