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Infinity Jars: Raising the Bar on Glass Jars, and a giveaway!

By dramamamafive March 25, 2017 preserving garden bounty, Uncategorized 54 Comments
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My new favorite jar: my apothecary jar from Infinity Glass.

 

There are many fun things about writing a blog. This much is commonly known. Or, possibly not?

Here, I have an idea. I’ll write a little quiz for you, just for fun, to test your savvy in this area. 🙂 Aaaaand I’ll keep it quasi-easy by making it multiple choice, just because I love you so.

Here we go!

Tell me, Gentle Reader. Which of the following list, would you guess, is something that has happened to me since I started writing this blog?

  1. Attractive people have driven up to my house and dumped bushel baskets full of money on my porch.
  2. Television talk show hosts (also attractive, of course) have called me up, asking me for interviews.
  3. I regularly get asked to be a prominent cabinet member for the President (“Secretary of Chicken Affairs.”) By stunningly attractive (yet elusive!) Presidential Secret Service Agents, natch’.
  4. I’m digging all these attractive folks, aren’t you? If there’s one thing I’d like to be, it’s attractive like all these people are.
  5. Sometimes companies will send me cool stuff.

Well? If you chose #5, you won! Or passed. Or . . . you got it, baby!

It’s fun to meet new people who represent interesting small businesses, and it’s cool to get new stuff in the mail, too! You all know full well that I live (basically) under a rock, so learning about JORD watches and sweaters for chickens,and any number of books that I have been given, in exchange for a frank and honest review, is definitely a fun part of writing this blog.

So, when the friendly (and undoubtedly attractive!) Tania at Infinity Jars asked me if I’d like to review some of their glass jars: purportedly “the best jars on earth”: well . . . how could I say (and I quote) “No!”? (Answer: I couldn’t!)

I am a bottle and jar collector from ‘way back. I have them all over the place. I could tell you lots of stories about several of these jars and bottles . . . wait! Do you have time for a short (very short!) story?

Of course you do. 🙂 I’ll try to keep it short, at least (hehee).

In our defense . . . we weren’t the only ones who couldn’t resist getting into that stream!

We were at our big annual family camp-out last fall, and my grandie Anya (aka “Princess Anee”) and I had gone for a walk together, through the woods and down to the beautiful trout stream that was a focal point of the area. Here is something you may not know about your gentle blogger: Anytime (anytime, Gentle Reader) I encounter a lovely patch of water like that one–whether it’s a mountain stream, a beautiful lake, a rushing river, the ocean, any type of water!–I have to fight a very strong desire to jump in. Me and water: we’re like this: (imagine my holding up two fingers, intertwined, like . . .this . . . ).

Picture it: cool, clear water, rushing over sand and rocks, bits of water plants swirling around in the eddies. Absolutely beautiful. Very attractive. Coaxing me to come in . . . I itched to shed my shoes, roll up my pants, and go splashing!

But. Since I had my darling dainty grandie with me . . . and since I knew how cold the water was . . . and also since I wasn’t sure how her good folks (*squirming*) felt about her getting wet . . . I held back. I kept control of myself, even as Anya pulled her hand gently out of mine. I tried to be good.

But then. 🙂 Quick movements caught my eye, and I was astonished to glance down to see sweet little Anya, pulling off her shoes and peeling off her little socks. “Amma, can we wade? Can we please . . . just get in?” Her big blues eyes pleaded. Her little voice wheedled. I drew a deep breath. Of relief.

I totally knew where that breathless desire to get into the water came from, that ache to peel off the shoes and socks and feel the sand and the water on the skin: it came from me. And it would be a crime, surely, in this land-locked state of Nebraska, to not get into any beautiful water that presented itself, right?

After all, so much of the water in Nebraska has been muddied by irrigation or spoiled with big agriculture chemicals. But this stream. It couldn’t have been prettier.

I couldn’t say no. This girl! She is about as big as a minnow, but has the bravery of a . . . a whale! She is amazing. While other little girls her age might be drawing unicorns or ponies (though they have their merit, too!) Anya draws superhero girls, in all sorts of adventures. I love her. She is a remarkable little girl.

I dropped down next to her on the bank, grinning all over, and I pulled off my shoes, too. We both rolled up our pants. I grabbed her hand. We grinned at each other. We waded in, gasping at the cold and giggling at how good it felt!

Goodness. The current was strong, but the water was only inches deep in most places. We walked upstream as far as I dared, holding hands tightly, laughing, admiring the water and the woods around us. When the water started to get deep, and then deeper, we turned around and went back to where we started. We stood and felt the cold water rush over our feet. We dug our numbed toes down into the cold sand. It was glorious. Just as I started to make movements toward the shore, though, I saw it.

This beautiful old bottle was half-buried in sand, in a deep corner that we hadn’t waded into. It wasn’t within my reach, not, at least, unless I waded much deeper. I turned away, deeming it too dangerous, but just for a minute. I looked back. I couldn’t resist that bottle. I looked down at Anya.

“Do you think your Mama and Papa would mind if you got just a little bit wetter?” I asked. She shook her head. “Oh no!” So I hooked my arm around her waist, held on tight, and waded deeper. She gasped and laughed, as I leaned waaaay over, grabbed the neck of that bottle and tugged until it came up. The current tried its best to topple us, but my Amma-ly determination to let no harm come to my darling won against it, and I struggled out of the deep area without getting knocked over.

I was soaked, however. Anya was wetter than I felt comfortable with (*wince*). She was exhilarated and laughing, and begged me to go in deeper, again!! We promised right then not to tell her wonderful ‘rents that we nearly went swimming–not just wading–down that icy cold trout stream. So I hope they aren’t reading this. They are busy young folks, after all . . .

That’s it, my cool old bottle-fetching story.

(Just in case Andrew and Sonia are reading this: I would never, ever take a real risk with your/our darling girl. Just feet away from this deep spot, in fact, the stream was a mere inches deep, so I knew that if we did fall in, we would have washed up to the shallow spot in seconds. Just for the record, dears!)

But back to these gorgeous Infinity Jars. Even within my lovely jar and bottle collection, I don’t have any bottles or jars as dark and as accomplished as these Infinity Jars. They are swooningly beautiful. Deep, dark indigo blue, which is important, not just for aesthetics, but also for what it does: this dark dark dark colored glass blocks out visible light that can degrade organic goods. These jars are airtight, too.

I only wish I would have had one of these jars last fall, when I was harvesting and drying my basil for the winter. I grew 4 kinds of basil last year: Blue Spice, Licorice, Sweet, and Lime. Doggone it, I didn’t dry and preserve all four kinds (slacker, Amy!) but I did save some licorice basil back and dried it for winter use. I’ve used most of it, but the little bit that I have left looks gray and tired, and no longer even smells like basil. I think that’s a shame, after all the work I went to to raise it and harvest it.

I dried it the usual way, and then stored it in a clear glass jar, which is my wont. Correction: which was my wont. Until I got a couple Infinity Jars.

The Best Jars on Earth.

See, I could write advertising copy, couldn’t I? And I am sincere, too. I plan this fall to store my winter’s worth of dried basil, sage, oregano, and thyme, in Infinity Jars. They are excellent, also, to use as essential oil jars, because they keep everything you put in them fresher, for a longer period of time. Take a look at this photo from their website:

Have you ever thought that there is a better way to store your herbs and essential oils and other fine things? Well, dear gentle reader: there is.

And here’s the interesting thing. Deep violet glass jars are not new. The early Egyptians were the first people recorded, actually, to produce dark violet glass. Those Egyptians! They were sophisticated enough to learn that there were substances that were preserved better if they weren’t exposed to light. They stored water, precious oils, herbs, medicines, and so forth in not only dark violet glass, but also containers made of gold! Some of these substances were recovered hundreds of years later and were found to be nearly as viable as they were when they were sealed!

If you are interested in learning more about the science behind Infinity Jars, check out their website! Also, Infinity Jars offer a very large selection of not only jars, but bottles, rollerbottles, apothecary jars, lidded containers, and more.

And. If you are excited about Infinity Jars, as I am, after learning a little about them from this post, guess what? The nice (and attractive) Tania has offered a sweet giveaway for one of my Gentle Readers: a $30 gift certificate, that can be applied to any of the products Infinity Jars offers! Isn’t that fun?

Here’s how you enter: Make a comment below, and then, for a second entry, go to my Instagram post and leave a comment below my photo of Infinity Jars there. On Monday, April 17, I will put all the entries into a hat (literally! I’m unashamedly low-tech!) and choose a winner!

Thanks for reading, Gentle Reader! I appreciate you, I do!

*hugs*

 

 

 

 

 

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54 thoughts on “Infinity Jars: Raising the Bar on Glass Jars, and a giveaway!”

  1. Pat H

    Love reading your stories Amy……..I was raised in a neighboring state….Missouri………so I know all about wading in a beautiful stream……quite a bit older than you but still raise a few herbs as my domain is in the kitchen…..thank you for your posts and God bless……………

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  2. Jessica M Buller

    Ahhh! I cannot resist water either and I love all the treasures one may find within. I share the love of old glass bottles and have quite a few I’ve found displayed around my house. I love your stories.

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      Jessica,
      We’ve even found some real treasures in the little muddy Blue River that runs past our town! There is treasure everywhere, isn’t there?

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  3. Tracy Mansfield

    Thank you for the giveaway. I like your blog because it is one of the only ones I can relate to as an older mom. I have 10 kids ages 25-2, I’m 48yo.

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      10 kiddos, Tracy! I am impressed! I am a little surprised that you have time to read a blog at all! I know how busy I stay keeping up with my six.

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  6. Janet Dugan

    Ooooo,bottles! I’ll be heading to Infinity’s website soon! I have herbs to harvest this summer,and concoctions to preserve.
    I also have to get in water wherever I find it,and frequently detour to our farm pond even though chores lay in another location! It is a Nebraska mud-bottom farm pond,but it’s clear much of the year and home to clouds of beautiful Dragonflies.

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      Ohhh myyy I just love it when the dragonflies swoop in! We usually have several days in late summer when they are everywhere!! We call them the Dragonfly Days. Whereabouts in Nebraska do you live, Janet?

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      Gene,
      Now I didn’t know that you collected old apothecary jars! So do I! Someday you must show me your collection!

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  8. Shelly Casey

    I too love a good stroll and finding neat things and lovely streams! Such bottles would certainly be handy as I expand my efforts in my homesteading journey! Thanks for bringing them to our attention!

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  9. Chef William Chaney

    It sure sounds like a nice contest. I can’t join but if I could I would be there. So many herbs and spices need the proper storage containers. These sound like the perfect fit. Not to worry, I have made a note that when you and the family visit Puerto Vallarta, a daily trip to the Pacific Ocean will be a must. We love walking along the sandy beaches barefoot. (grounding) early in the morning when the “visitors” are still sleeping off the effects of the other famous water of the area – Tequila. Well, there is water in it in some form.

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  11. Mary Howe

    I love old bottles and jars, I have a awful habit of saving pickle ,salsa, and various jars to store stuff in. Im running out of places to store them.

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      I’m the same way, Mary. I especially like the half-gallon pickle jars. They are so useful! But now, I’m wishing that they were dark violet blue!

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  12. Joetta Lund

    I love water and old colored bottles too! We went swimming almost every afternoon as a kid! When my folks past away and when were cleaning up the farm, we had to go through the trees to their trash in the hole pile! Anytime one of us found some cool jar shouts of joy would be released!!!
    Love your story!!! Enjoy your water (and jars) and never pass one by without the joy of touching it!!!

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  18. Mary Ann Cauthen

    I loved your story of getting the grandchild wet in getting the jar!! I have been that kind of “Nana” also – have to make lots of excuses of how we got wet and dirty!! I would love to have a jar. Thanks for sharing your life with us. Mary Ann

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      HA! I hope I am not my kids’ worst nightmare (in regards to getting my grandies into trouble!)! I’m glad that I’m still young and strong enough to do things like this! Happy to hear that I’m not the only one, Mary Ann! 😉

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  19. Debbie

    Love your stories, we are kindred spirits. I live 3 miles from the beautiful white river that runs between Baxter and Marion counties in Northern Arkansas. And boy oh boy do we have beautiful rainbow trout just waiting for fly fishermen and women to come fish and freeze their toes in, or jump off the rope into the cool (cold) water in the Cotter Springs just below a beautiful older bridge that then president Harry S Truman himself came and dedicated. I too am a lover of old jars, the big ole Clorox jugs down to the tiny pharmaceutical ones. I cannot wait to try the new ones for my dried herbs or priceless heirloom seeds. I LOVE your blog and I would love to win something!!!

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      Debbie,
      Thank you so much for your sweet comment. Did you know that hubby Bryan and I went to school in Searcy, AR (Harding University) and a favorite getaway for students there was the White River. I don’t remember our going more than once or twice (we were busy full-time married students, and had to work for a living!) but I do remember that it was a lovely area.

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  20. Kay Ficken

    Love old bottles and new jars, I raise basil too and dry it. I definitely would love to try these bottles. Pick me! Pick me!

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      Dear friend Kay! I have a package here at my house for you: I uncovered it in the usual post-melodrama housecleaning. When can we meet so I can give you these goodies??

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  23. Bethany Lotulelei

    My goodness, these jars are SO cunning! I love them! I feel as if I must have a few of my very own. They are not quite as charming as the bottle you found in the river, but they have the same element of magic about them, I think.

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  25. KatherineJaneIII

    I could only hope that I might win one of these fine jars, but alas, I see there are many comments already, which may diminish my chances. Never-the-less, your blog is wonderful, and I have enjoyed reading many of your other posts, too. Keep up the good work ! ! 🙂

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  26. Lucia whitten

    Thank you for the heartwarming story and the chance at these wonderful infinity jars! I enjoy your blog and often use your tips, experiences and humor to keep my spirits up when things are rough with a huge chore list.

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      OH, Lucia, your comment just made my day! I’m glad that my ramblings have been a motivation for you. Don’t forget to put your feet up for a few minutes and take breaks during that huge chore list! My daughter Bethany used to take 15-minute breaks during her work days and just read a good book. She plowed through several thick books the summer she did this! So even a little break can be beneficial!

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  27. Debi Beeuwsaert

    Love your stories. Now water — it’s everywhere here in the State of Michigan. I reside in the Upper Peninsula situated between both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan — so I have it the best. Plus I have a clear flowing creek that passes through the southern portion of my 10-acres. As for the Infinity glass, I’d love to have for my collection.

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  30. Cynthia Rose

    I love old bottles too. I have one from a ghost town that is the same color as the one you found. The infinity bottles look wonderful – pretty color and saves products. I am tired of dead brown herbs!

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  32. rose

    I must grab some of these! I, like you, have many herbs that I dehydrated but had no idea about these jars! I even had my husband smoke some jalapenos, anaheim, poblano and then dehydrated them into spices. Ohhhh what flavor and smell! No comparison to anything. So you see, I have to get some of these jars! My herbs are starting to explode in my sandbox garden. 🙂 So, these are a must!

    Is that a wheel barrel of woodchips or leaves in your top pic?

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    1. dramamamafive Post author

      Rose, dear, that is a wheelbarrow full of leaves! Although, as you can see, I’ve loaded quite a lot of woodchips in there, too, along the paths. My mom–bless her!—brings me pick-up loads full of oak leaves! She rakes up so many at her place that she doesn’t (happily!) have a place for them all! So she brings them to me. I use them to mulch in-between rows and they add a lot of great organic matter to my soil. OH. Your hubby’s dried peppers sound WONDERFULLY delicious. I must try that this year! Sandbox garden . . . picture! Picture, please, dear Rose!

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