Making Time to Can

Well I am not as far behind as I thought I was on Saturday when talking to a friend. I am only 3 1/2 months behind. Which is fine...it doesn't stress me out too much. I have several of my blogs written out already so I didn't forget the memories which is the whole point of posting a 'few' pictures and writing the memories so when I get around to finally scrapbooking I have something to look at to spark my memory and have journal entries to add to my scrapbook. I realized though that I am spending a ton of time on pictures which is a good thing as I am working on a new talent but at the same time it's delaying me from getting my blogs done. Plus I am also trying to post more than a 'few' pictures so that adds to the time as well. So I am going to limit the number of pictures for the most part so that maybe I can close the gap and stay closer to being up to date with my blog. If I don't oh well, I still enjoying writing and sharing things and keeping my memories and thoughts documented.

 

So back in October I bought 4 boxes of apples (a bit hasty as 1.5 were still in my garage in January). I feel it's a bit unfair as my busy season at work picks up as the harvesting season picks up. Which makes it hard for me to get all the cannning done as I wish but I keep trying.

I laid out a bunch of apples (11/03/12) and went to town making my first batch of applesauce. Benjamin enjoying handing out with me in the kitchen like normal. I don't remember why he is crying in this picture but I am sure it was tragic.

 

The applesauce turned out great and smelled amazing. The texture is really smooth like baby food my husband told me. I enjoyed it immensly. And I like being able to control the sugar contect and texture. I know others like it really chunky but I prefer the smoothness of it and now I know how to make some baby food.

Speaking of babies here is mine fast asleep.

Briefly! The blender helped to wake her right up. I had her in on the dinning table so I should have known it would wake her up. But sometimes she sleeps through everything.

 

Elizabeth is not a fan of tummy time. She will tolerate it for short bits but really wants to be upright seeing everything going on around her. At this point in these pictures you can tell she is learning how to keep her balance (at 4 1/2 months) on her own. Daddy is very close by as we watch her sit up and wobble over. Sometimes she would fall over and land on her tummy.

I love this photo of Elizabeth with her daddy's big hands. I back in December that my husband gets his large hands from his Opa (his mother's dad). There's just something about it that touches my heart.

Pickled Peppers so Sweet

I had harvested a ton of items from my garden due to the coming freezing weather but I didn't know what to make or do with everything. My friend Heather suggested that we pickle the peppers. I wasn't sure what I would do with pickled peppers but I was game. We had fun hanging out together and letting our kids play.

 

I learned a valuable lesson that day...DON'T breath in the smell of the brine for pickling things. It BURNS!!! I obviously didn't learn my lesson fast enough because I inhaled it more than once. When Heather's husband Kenny joined us after work he walked in and stated, "It stinks in here." We were not surprised.

 

We had some dinner from the crock pot (I am trying to integrate using my crock pot more as it really makes the evening smoother) and relaxed as we finished canning. After dinner Kenny sat down and played my piano a little bit and his son Wyatt joined him.

 

While we were just hanging out Gwendolyn went to sit on her daddy's lap and we all got a good laugh. Kenny ran his fingers through Gwen's hair which had been in a high ponytail and fluffed her curly hair nicely. It was hilarious.

 

It was a wonderful afternoon of hanging out with good friends. And I must admit canning peppers will be on my list of things to do after this year. We've already used them in chili's and other dishes. And the aroma has changed so much that it has a sweet pleasant smell now. Thank you Heather for the great suggestion and helping me get something done!

Canning is a Family Affair

Growing up I learned how to can with my Aunt Cindy. My first experience was corn. I got to sit on the front porch and shuck the corn, that was it. My next canning experience was pears. I got to peel pears, cut out the bad spots and slice them up. My next canning experience I got to do pears again but I got to learn more about actually canning...I got to learn about filling the jars, our special family secret for canning pears and adding the lids.

My Aunt Cindy bought me a water bath canner, a canning book and a few other supplies when I got married. It's been a great gift! I've done mostly jam but I've done a roasted red pepper spread, corn and yesterday peaches.

Jared and I bought a thing of peaches for $8.50. I was super excited for the work to come to put up some home canned peaches. I cleaned up my scrap booking mess from the morning and went to work on cleaning and setting things up for canning. To my delight and surprise Jared helped out. He helped get jars upstairs. We found plenty of jars which I knew I had several but we also found a ton of lids and rings. I've apparently bought them multiple times over the years instead of going through my boxes. Oh well my benefit yesterday!

We boiled peaches after giving them a little X on their butt and then dipped in cold water. We peeled peaches and pitted and sliced them. Both of our kids took pretty good naps while we were doing this which was great. Eventually Benjamin woke up though and wanted in on the action. It became a family affair. I would slice the peaches and then hand them to him and he would throw them into the water. It was pretty fun!

We were able to can 13 quarts of peaches.

Some things we learned:

1. The X on the bottom needs to be in the crack
2. Boil them in the hot water for 2 minutes roughly and longer for green peaches
3. Don't over tighten the rings as the air will have to force it's way out and crinkle the lid
4. My small ice cream scoop is my favorite tool for getting rid of the pit and center
5. Start the water bath water long before you are ready for it as it takes awhile to heat up

I Like Fancy

This morning I was in charge of making breakfast. I decided to make Dutch Babies! Delicious! We were almost out of syrup though so I had to make some more. As I was cooking the syrup I was thinking about how to serve it up at the table. I checked the cabinet and I had gotten rid of my gravy cup. I remembered I had a cream cup for my tea set in the cabinet at the end of the hall. Almost everything was on the table ready to go so I quickly grabbed it and washed it. While washing it Jared commented about how it was too fancy and I would have to wash it twice to use it once and it was unnecessary. I told him I like fancy! So I finished washing the cream holder and filled it up.

Who cares that my hair wasn't brushed, or that my kitchen wasn't 100% clean, or that we were using plastic plates. We were using the fancy tea set cream holder! It made me feel fancy and special!

Afterwards I canned the rest of the syrup. So now I've got some on hand again for awhile.

Jared took this picture of him and Benjamin this morning.

Bread, Bread and Jam!

I've had a pretty productive morning. I've made 2 loaves of Strawberry Bread and 3 small loaves of Zucchini Bread. Both moist and delicious! And I must stop eating it! Because I'm full but it is so good!

Strawberry Bread

Zucchini Bread

And Benjamin kept me company while making the Strawberry bread but slept for the Zucchini bread. He loves playing with his bib now. He's really liking to grab material or toys and hold onto them and put them up to his mouth. Got to love learning!


Earlier this week I made a batch of Strawberry Jam with pectin. Apparently pectin and I just don't get along. It won't set!!! Oh well next batch is without pectin and it will set. So weird! So for now I have Strawberry preserves.