Oh Marmalade, How I Loathe Thee...

  Okay, another thing about me.  I'm horrible at making preserves.  I know, I'm really setting myself up for a bad track record here....bad gardner, bad preserver....don't worry!  My kids are fine! 
  My first attempt was cherries.  It could be called a glaze, or rather yet a syrup.  I chose to call it 'bad'.
  Then there were the strawberries.  I thought I had learned my lesson (no pectin = disaster) and added some pectin.  Don't ask me how much I put in, I've blocked the memory.  I do, however, know how they invented Fruit Roll-ups.  DH kindly pointed out that at least it tasted really good as he chewed it off a knife. 
  We threw those jars away when no amount of soaking/prying could get the stuff out.
  So my hopes weren't very high for my huge box of tangelos bought from the FFA that were going to ruin any day.  But two things were at work here.  I really don't like to throw away food and I really really wanted to be able to make my own preserves! Apparently it's a matter of pride for me.  More on that later.
  Three.
  That's how many sets of lids I have bought for this darn marmalade because that's how many times I had to process it!  I won't mention where I found the recipe, but lets say it didn't persuade me to go vegan.  I made the first batch- which might I add took HOURS and sooo many dishes!  Again- picture the DH face. 
  It still 'slooshed'.  Even after the two weeks the recipe said it might take to set up.
  So I reprocessed and added a box of pectin.  It still looked questionable, so I added half of another box for good measure.
  Still 'slooshage'.
  So, resigned that I could only put so much money into these tangelos and only handle so much embarassment, I hit the internet.  This site SAVED my jelly!!

                       http://www.pickyourown.org/how_to_fix_runny_jam.htm

  I could feel myself nodding my head as I read, like a hypochondriac listening to a comercial for Lunesta.  Runny?  Yes!  Frustrated?  YES!
  So I took a chance and bought more lids.  Buying lids for me now is like taking vows.  And I bought more pectin too...that's like pre-marrital counceling :D
  I am proud to say I am now the owner of 12 full pints of gorgeous, delicious tangelo marmalade.  Born on Sunday March 13th at 5:02 - 5:55 p.m. and taking up the entire sink full of dishes.  So don't be shocked when I don't hand out this orange gold and I make you lick your spoon. 
  You've been warned.

P.S.  I did share a jar with my friend whom I bought the tangelos from.  Nevermind that I wrapped it in four layers of bubble wrap before leaving it in her locker...