Spiced Plum Jam...

Nothing says fall like the smell of spiced plum jam cooking on the stove. The second it hits my taste buds, I am transported back to being five years old, coming home from kindergarten and watching my grandmother and mom jammin' away. The afternoon would end with hot toast and a dollop of the spiced goodness. How very happy it makes me to do the same for my girls now.

Spiced Plum Jam

3 lbs. ripe plums (unpeeled)
1/2 c. water
Juice of one lemon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
7 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 bottle Certo

Halve, pit and cut up plums. Mix with water, lemon juice and spices. Put in saucepan and bring to boil. Simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Measure 4 1/2 cups of plum mixture into a large saucepan. Add sugar and mix well. Over high heat, bring to full rolling boil. Boil hard one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Certo at once. Stir and skim for 5 minutes, using metal spoon. Ladle into sterilized jars, filling to within one eighth inch of top. Seal with paraffin. Yields: 8 to 9 pints.