Mason Jars...
I don't know about you... but I grew up with mason jars. Every summer seemed the same... lug the mason jars up from the cellar, scrub them with super hot water and soap and make sure your did not chip the glass lips. It got to the point where I wished I would never see a mason jar again.

Now that I am much older and with a little bit of Martha Stewart-style creativity, I have found mason jars can go from being used solely for fruit and jam canning to being a great addition to any rustic-styled home.  Well-loved mason jars, with or without lids, can be used as-is or spruced up with a number of different decorative accents to brighten up any farmhouse or country-styled home.

One of the best applications for old or unused mason jars is to use them as drink ware, especially if you have a large matching set.  Though they may never make the cut for formal drink ware, they’re great for big glasses of lemonade or iced tea on the back porch or to use as a rustic water glass with hearty stew on a cold winter’s night.  The quart mason jars are great for tea, water, and lemonade, while the smaller round jars a nice for a glass of orange juice with your morning toast. For those in the know I understand mason jars were the jar of choice for good "moonshine."

Mason jars also make great vases.  They’re especially nice for large bouquets of flowers as their large mouths accommodate large bunches of stems without any trouble.  They can be left unadorned, letting the flowers take center stage, or you could wrap a bow around the neck of the mason jar to add a personal touch.  Another attractive option is to wrap the neck or mouth of the jar with stems or vines; grape vines make a great wrap for a decorative touch.

Another nice way to use mason jars in your home is to use them as candle holders, especially around the holidays.  Any candle will fill the jar with a nice warm glow, illuminating any writing or etching on the sides while the tall sides of the jar keep the candle from being blown out.  The deep jars will also accentuate the scents of any scented candles since the air inside will be well-heated by the flame, making them great for filling a room with great smells.  Colored candles also add an attractive splash of contrasting color to the room.  Don’t be tempted to wrap the candle-filled mason jars with anything flammable, as the jars can get quite hot if they hold a lit candle for a long period of time.

Mason jars can always be used for canning jams and preserves, but why let those beautiful jars of fruit and jam sit in the cupboard?  Dress up the jars with a bit of ribbon or cloth, either wrapped around the neck of the bottle or screwed into the lid, and keep the fruits of your garden out on the counters or shelves of your kitchen for all to see.

Finally, if your mason jars have out lived their usefullness you can always put them to use in your garden. In the early spring they make great covers for protection to tender plants.  Just remember to remove the mason jars in the moring, otherwise you will quickly cook your plants.