A big thank you to Jill Waldman of The Main Event for letting us show off La Joya Dulce yesterday. Jill plans weddings and events through her company, The Main Event. She organized an opportunity to meet friends and contacts in the wedding and events industry. Hannah Hopkins of Mambos provided yummy hors d'oeuvres, and the Jacobsens put out a few bottles of wine. Beautiful floral centerpieces were supplied by Steamboat Floral, on tables supplied by Colorado Event Rentals. All of this while our lovely musician, Haley, serenaded us.

We met local photographers, officiants, wedding planners, videographers caterers and even a few brides to be. Kathie showed off our facilities on a sunny and warm November afternoon.

Speaking of warm Novembers, raspberries usually don't go on sale in the late fall, but Kathie saw a sale – 4 boxes for $5 – so it was time for Wayne to make jam. It is ridiculously easy to make jam that is far better than store bought (and far better than what we normally taste at farmers' markets). Follow the directions in the pectin box, but increase the fruit by about 50%. For instance, instead of 5 cups, use 7 1/2 cups. Sugar stays the same. Yum.