As a young girl I helped my Mom can. Our family enjoyed eating fresh things from the garden during the nice weather. When winter came we continued to dine on what had been grown the previous summer.
The old cellar shelves were packed with green beans, beets, tomatoes, applesauce, and peaches. Special relishes jams and jellies completed the list.
At the end of the season Mom would gather in the last of the harvest. With the final picking she would make green tomato mincemeat and homemade vegetable soup. .
Today I continue to follow in my Mother's footsteps. A summer-filled jar being opened when winter's winds are howling is a special gift. It serves to remind me that some things are still worth doing.
Hope you have a beautiful day. God Bless!
I agree. So many people today don't even know how to grow their own food, let alone 'put it up,' as my mother used to say. Our growing season is too short, and the weather too variable, to be able to grow many things up here, but I do have an apple orchard and several pear trees. Fortunately, my sister lives down in Redlands and together (she's in her 80's) we tend a large vegetable garden.
ReplyDeleteLove the sketch of the tomatoes!
Blessings,
Victoria
I've always been fascinated by this. Pickling is very big here, though some of the things end up looking decidedly questionable lol!
ReplyDeleteI never even knew you could can things at home much less eat eggs and meat you get at home. I thought you only got those things from a store until I met my husband. His family gardened and canned everything. I learned how from his mother and now know how to do it all, except for the meat part. I couldn't hurt one of my animals. Nevertheless, it is a shame more people don't garden and can. It is very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteGreat post
ReplyDeleteEnd of the garden salad and old fashion piccalili mother use to can are favorites.
Hi Debbie, a beautiful and heartwarming post. I agree, some things are still worth doing!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, I love this post!! I have never learned to can but have been around those who have all my life! I wanted to but a full time family business job kept me busy and time passed me by.....but I still want to do it!! I have put up tomatoes and corn but not beans....shame on me! I didn't put a garden out this year because of the move but this is on my bucket list....lol!! Blessings and a wonderful weekend~~~Roxie
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie! I've missed your beautiful posts! It is so important to not loose these traditions from our past. I love to make homemade jams and marmalade but have never tried vegetables. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you make it and grow it yourself. Beautiful tomato sketch! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThe closest I've come to canning is one year when I attempted to make crab apple jam. I did something wrong but at least every one of my jars sealed. LOL I've never tried anything else but then we never lived on a farm where we grew our own produce. Note though, the crab apple tree was in my yard so I gave it a good go. LOL I agree that some things, some traditions should be kept and this is one of them.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you -- but I do think canning is coming back in vogue -- I follow too -- and can, freeze and dehydrate ... Love to pull out the summer harvest in the middle of winter .. like bringing back the sun!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you!
So true, Debbie. Enjoy the fruits of your labor when that wind is howling and snow falls. I'll be thinking of you. I don't can but during that time of year we won't mention is when I make lots of hot soups and stews. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I love making jams and preserves. I make several varieties, unfortunately, they seldom make it to winter. I hope you are having a lovely week. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteDebbie , this is so you! Of course you preserve and can.. !!!
ReplyDeleteI do have a friend in Biloxi that grows his own and cans them too. BJ
God bless you Debbie, your post reminds me of good times . There is so much love in preparing preserves they can't help but be good. I do less and less every year though but still...my prune jam is the best in the country, I'm sure. :)
ReplyDeleteNothing taste's better than canned food fresh from the garden.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the tradition continues on with you. It probably brings back such wonderful memories too. Nice sketch! Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteoh how I agree with your sentiments. I too remember muma's pantry shelves packed with jars of bottled fruit and jams. She didn't do the veg, we stored root veg in bags or in the soil, and i remember there was always a plentiful supply of greens and leeks and parsnips. I'm more lucky than muma, I have a freezer, but still make plenty of preserves, so much prefer them to the bought ones...
ReplyDeleteThe elderly woman we bought our house from, 23 years ago, was BIG on canning, so much so, that she left dozens and dozens of "filled" jars on the rows and rows of shelves in the pantry. I had no idea how old it all was, and therefore tossed everything. I do know that all the produce came from her garden, of which she was very proud.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma canned everything, and boy did I love it all! I think I could eat a quart of green beans at one sitting!!! And her dill pickles were the best. I may can tomatoes this year-I think our crop is going to be huge....
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