Canning

I love to can. There is a feeling of satisfaction and reward that comes from seeing the process from my garden to the finished jars on my shelves. I have been canning for over 25 years. Canning is not difficult. It is time consuming and it can be messy. It is important too, that the process be done correctly to ensure safety in food. Canning is becoming a lost art. My goal through this blog and through teaching is to encourage people to can. We have a generation of children growing up who do not know where the food even comes from, how it is processed and the joy of doing it yourself. I have many fond memories of my mom's basement canning room filled with jar after jar of home canned produce. Learning to can is getting back to those roots and feeling the satisfaction of being there through the whole process from seed to those beautiful jars on the shelf.

We were meant to garden

I think mankind was meant to garden. We were created in a garden. God gave mankind the work of keeping a garden. It's one of the most fulfilling jobs there is. To till the ground, to plant seeds, to tend to plants, to harvest what has been grown -- I love it! Now there is the matter of pulling weeds. Weeds are a direct result of the fall. When sin entered the world so did weeds. At least that's when they became obnixious.

Today I planted part of my garden. I've been planting gardens for many springs but it's only in recent years that I have really focused on my garden, tried new things, and most of all tried to 'put away' the harvest through canning and freezing. Today was the planting of cool weather crops. The tomatoes and other vegetables that love the heat will wait until the middle of May.

I plant in raised beds. I have three and wish for more. One is pretty large and then two smaller. The sides are made from 4x4 treated wood. They won't last forever, but maybe about 5 - 7 years. The sides can be taken down and then my husband rototills and puts the beds back together. It has worked nicely to get the dirt ready for planting. During the fall and winter, we dump some vegetation and compost on top and then that is tilled into the bed in the spring.

Last year was a banner year for my tomatoes. I put in 7 plants and reaped enough tomatoes to can about 60 pints of different tomato products.

I love to can. In fact, I have tried canning just about everything that comes out of the garden (except lettuce). In another blog article I will delve further into the art of canning. I hope to teach a class on canning this summer to friends and neighbors. Home canning is so superior to just about anything you buy canned in the store. Besides, there is such a feeling of accomplishment to go from seed to canned product on your pantry shelf.

Invitation To My Table

Left are photos of a bridal party out on our deck.
Below is a photo of a Thanksgiving table and a birthday party table.















I have a weakness for dishes. There are five sets of dishes in my kitchen (all with a service of at least 12). Then there are my Christmas dishes -- 2 sets, one of which has table settings for 24. My girls have been involved in 4-H for many years and one of the events that we have often taken part in is a table setting contest. They must bring one table setting, table decorations, placemats, etc. and compete with other 4-H members for a champion ribbon. So over the years we have collected many table settings for just 1 person. That bin is fun to bring out ocassionally and set the table where every person has a different place setting. The reason for my fondness of dishes is that I love to set a beautiful table. Candles, centerpieces, placemats, tablecloths, napkins folded to look like fans, boats or another unusual shape and anything else I can dream up. I like to cook but if I had to choose, I'd set the table and then think about the food. A table sets the atmosphere for a great family time. We've been known to linger until the candles are almost burned out. Whether it's just my family or a whole crew of people, I enjoy creating a table that is artistic and inviting.