NEW SUNSHINE JARS FROM BALL

You all know me by now, I never met a canning jar I didn't like, ha.  In the last few years, Ball has been coming out with limited editions jars in colors and shapes and even the embossed patterns on them.

Saw these recently at lunch:

The newest release from Ball.  They are called:

 Limited Edition Sunshine Jars...

Of course...

I had to get them!

They only make this size and since I never go overboard and buy multiple packs (though a couple of times I found some on clearance and had to get two for the price of one, ha), I threw a package in the basket.

 

Here is a closeup...it's just a happy embossed sun with rays of sunshine radiating out.  

The following picture are from the Ball website. I always like when they give recipes and/or ideas on how to use the special jars they make and what to put in them.

                                                                                                                  

This is a peach and orange blossom honey jam!  That's a nice "sunny" flavor combination.

These were some sweet and sour candied citrus.  Also would be really cool in the jar.

This is not lemonade but a citrus mint mocktail.  But hey, anything sunny and bright would be cute served in these, including lemonade!  I like I like the idea of a jam thought, I was thinking marmalade would be great!

I'm currently trying to figure out where to make my canning station, well, canning jars/supplies station.  We have a nice cabinet that is perfect but not sure where it will fit in the new house.  I might have to claim a cabinet or two in the kitchen.  

REUSABLE CANNING JAR LIDS

 Remember last year I found some reusable lids from Ball on clearance?  Well, we love them and use them all the time.  The other day at lunch, I was in Walmart and found that they have their own as well.

Now you don't can with these, they aren't for sealing, they are for turning the ubiquitous jars into other uses.

The ones we got the last time were black and of course these are white (the only color available).  They are BPA free, food safe and perfect to use on our jars.

They fit wide mouth and standard so they work on big jars or little jars.  They are pretty cool to have on hand as they turn any jar into instant easy storage in the pantry, for leftovers in the refrigerator, and so many other things.  2nd Man loves them because he uses the jars to make salad dressing and these make it easy to put the lid on and shake it vigorously.  No leaks and works perfect!  I also use one for my quick pickled red onions and have taken stuff to work for lunch in a jar with one of these lids.

They work great for being reusable and not having to deal with rings and lids (save those for canning).

 

INTERESTING NEW BALL JAR SHAPE

Saw these at the store yesterday.

It's a new "shape" of Ball jars.

They are called "Flute" jars.  The package says they are a refined design for decor and drinkware.  To me that would indicate they are decorative only.  Nope, they are also sealable for up to 18 months.

It's hard to describe the shape so since the package was not shrink wrapped, I asked the clerk if I could take one out of the package and she said yes.

This is the shape.

Sort of a rounder/bulbous bottom that tapers up to a narrower top.  They are different that any other shaped jar we've seen.  Being pint size, we wonder if someone would still use them for canning (maybe gift giving canned goods?) or if they would stay more in the "decor/drinkware" category?  I didn't buy any, haven't decided if I should.  Since Ball does discontinue editions, maybe I should get some just to have for a future set so I don't look back and go "wished I had bought those jars I saw that time", ha. 

Thoughts?