Monday, October 25, 2010

Fall harvest









So, I have this list. It's a mental list. A list of all the things I need to do in my life to be the best wife/mother/homemaker/woman that I can be. It's a lengthy list. I am pretty sure that I fail at most of the things on the list. I'm working on it. (Not necessarily doing the things on the list, but feeling like I am okay when I don't do everything on the "list") You know what I mean, you are are all wives/mothers/homemakers/women.

One of the things on the list is canning my own food. I grew up seeing my mother do it every fall. I have been the beneficiary of my mother-in-law's canning work. It just seems like something every good homemaker does. I've never done it. I have actually given away dozens and dozens of bottles over the years as we have moved across the country thinking I would never do it.

This was the year that I finally crossed one thing off the list. I BOTTLED MY OWN FOOD!

It all started with apples. We were able to pick a bunch of apples from a neighbor, and after making apple pie, apple crisp, and freezing apple pie filling, I still had a lot left over. So I made applesauce. I was so proud of my first canning experience.

I was so inspired by the applesauce that I did 1/2 a bushel of peaches, and enough salsa to fill 4 quart jars! Not too shabby for my first time canning. It took a lot of time and made a huge mess in my kitchen, but helped me become more of the person I feel I should be. I guess it was worth it!