Kathee’s Jam [Strawberry & Chocolate] — part of the Friendship Series

**FRIENDSHIP SERIES!**

Introducing Kathee; the inspiration for the April Edition, the fourth in the Friendship Series Jam lineup:

Kathee Boyer…

I had recently moved back to the San Fernando Valley from San Francisco, and after scoping out the surrounding communities looking for a local Community Theater where I could spend some time, I found The Conejo Players. While exploring these theaters, one of the first people I ran into was Kathee… and I was immediately struck by her.  She was fresh, vibrant, and alive… she has a boundless energy about her, she’s dynamic, engaging, and one of the most supportive, caring and giving people you will ever come across — and she will call you out in  a heartbeat; from day one, I adored her!  My ‘way in’ was costuming… her Mother, Joan was a supremely gifted Costumer who ended up being one of my favorite people to be around… I LOVED sewing with her; we would sit there and work on costumes, and she would regale me with stories of her wonderful past for hours on end.  And from that foundation, my relationship with Kathee, her children Adam and Megan, and eventually her husband Ken grew.

After a year of slowly getting to know people there, I was allowed to take over directing one of the ‘Afternoon Series’ shows… getting a crew wasn’t that easy; I didn’t really know anyone. But Kathee immediately came forward, and volunteered to be my Stage Manager… Once I had her, I was in!  The rest of the crew came easily, and from the first time I sat in that theater, watching a rehearsal with Kathee, eating chocolate covered strawberries and getting yelled at for having food in the theater from Dick Johnson, I knew that someone special had come into my life… so special, that to this day, she is the only person I call ‘my Sister’; a chosen sibling is someone whom you will always hold close to your heart, and for me, that is truly the case with Kathee. Who is also one of my all time favorite people to share a cocktail with; whether we’re having that cocktail on land, or on the sea!

When I queried Kathee about her favorite fruits and flavors, her top responses were strawberries, boysenberries, chocolate, and cookies.  Once I saw her list, I flashed back on the chocolate covered strawberries, and I knew what I had to do… 🙂  So, as an homage to MY SISTER, I created a jam using strawberries and dark chocolate, with a healthy dose of strawberry liqueur… a decadent jam if ever there was one!  But a jam made with love, for a woman I deeply love and respect.  And that’s Kathee’s Jam.

ENJOY!!

NOTE:  An introduction to this jam can be found HERE on YouTube.