Meet “The Jam Lady”

So, who is this Jam Lady, anyway? Well, my name is Amanda Averill and I am a 26 year old single mother, [former] teacher, foodie, and adrenaline junkie.

I better start from the beginning…

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the quaint Brookhaven neighborhood. My mom and I spent each spring and summer hulling strawberries and stirring jam; using the same spoon her mother and grandmother had used many years before. My aunt and cousins joined in the fun as we made summer "Jamborees" a yearly tradition. From my mother I acquired an admiration of strong, independent women and an appreciation of the tranquility of time in the kitchen. From my father I gained gratitude for Mother Nature and the peace one can find in it without ever looking. I lived in the city, but thrived in the woods; hunting, fishing, hiking, baking, and sewing. I avoided boredom by finding new and exciting challenges, from chasing wild boar and catching alligators to stuffing homemade ravioli and icing 8-layer cakes. After high school, I attended Georgia Southern University where I received my B.S. in Early Childhood Education and went on to teach fourth grade in Cobb County for 3 years.

It was during my first year of teaching that I was blessed with the gift of my daughter. After deciding to adopt, a selfless birthmother made me a mom and for that I am eternally grateful. Ansley Jennifer was born on September 20^th, 2007 in Colorado Springs, CO. She is my angel, my guiding light, and one hell of a drummer.

So, here we are: three generations of gals sticking together for the long haul to share our family's tradition with the world.

What can I say? We be jammin!