I did a mid-preserving season count last night, and was surprised to find I have processed 78 jars of food already (since May)! And this doesn't count frozen items. It seems like a lot, and I remember a few years back when 100 preserved items TOTAL was my goal for the year.
And then D was at the farm store, and the woman checking him out said she canned 50 jars of tomatoes yesterday. See? I'm not an over-achiever at all! Most of my canning is done in batches of 3 to 7 jars, and only an hour or two of labor. Once I get up to speed, have my equipment at the ready, and have a decent attitude (that one can be harder), it can be pretty painless. This weekend I finished up a batch of applesauce while we had (unexpected) company, and I'm not sure they noticed!
The world is full of tasks that seem hard from one perspectives, easy from another.
So true! I do think a lot of the difficulty in canning is getting everything out for the season, and finding your rhythm again. I managed to can 9 pints of tomato sauce yesterday with no electricity and didn't really feel like it was a challenge -- more like a welcome distraction.
Wow, that's awesome, though I guess if you're stuck inside it makes sense! And you're not alone, somewhere on-line I saw it referred to as "Huricanning" :)
Hmm, lots of pickles here at the start of the season, and I tried pickling eggplant and other veggies that we had too many of! Now tomatoes, our peppers are running late so just plain stuff at first, and now a little bit of salsa. Oh and applesauce--I'm debating doing some apples for pie too, but not sure whether to freeze or can?
Hah is right! Actually, he was getting the car fixed, killing time in the canning aisle checking jar prices :) If only she knew what a able canning accomplice (or is it enabler?) he is, I'd really be in trouble!
Oh, that kind of "checking him out." I thought that at first then decided he meant a cashier/checker. If it ever got out about his prowess as an accomplice, he would really be popular.
My mother canned 50+ cans in a day and was exhausted for a week. An elderly lady was canning when I went to her house--just a few jars at a time. So, I learned a less strenuous way to can. Besides, here I was, thinking a person had to have several bushels in order to can. Silly me!
So true! I do think a lot of the difficulty in canning is getting everything out for the season, and finding your rhythm again. I managed to can 9 pints of tomato sauce yesterday with no electricity and didn't really feel like it was a challenge -- more like a welcome distraction.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you canning?
Wow, that's awesome, though I guess if you're stuck inside it makes sense! And you're not alone, somewhere on-line I saw it referred to as "Huricanning" :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, lots of pickles here at the start of the season, and I tried pickling eggplant and other veggies that we had too many of! Now tomatoes, our peppers are running late so just plain stuff at first, and now a little bit of salsa. Oh and applesauce--I'm debating doing some apples for pie too, but not sure whether to freeze or can?
So: D *told* you about a woman checking him out at the feed store? Hah!
ReplyDeleteYes, one little jar at a time and blammo, full shelves of the stuff.
Glad to hear you're okay, Ali. And still canning w/o electricity! When you gotta you gotta.
I'm deep in tomato madness right now but I know myself: I will pull them all in about a month. This too shall pass!
Hah is right! Actually, he was getting the car fixed, killing time in the canning aisle checking jar prices :) If only she knew what a able canning accomplice (or is it enabler?) he is, I'd really be in trouble!
ReplyDeleteOh, that kind of "checking him out." I thought that at first then decided he meant a cashier/checker. If it ever got out about his prowess as an accomplice, he would really be popular.
ReplyDeleteMy mother canned 50+ cans in a day and was exhausted for a week. An elderly lady was canning when I went to her house--just a few jars at a time. So, I learned a less strenuous way to can. Besides, here I was, thinking a person had to have several bushels in order to can. Silly me!