By definition: noun
The process or business of sealing food in cans or tins to preserve it.
But it is so much more, its an art. It is a way to care for your family and friends. It is that personal touch. It is what I believe is missing from the lives of many the hoarders out there . No really, think about it. It is natural and instinct to “squirrel away” food and prepare for winter. To stock up and such. Well I think there are so many people who have lost touch with the earth and there true nature, but there instincts are still there. So they grab and store and store meaningless and trivial things that give momentary satisfaction. They have all the intent to “give this to” so and so.. or “this would be great for” but it never happens. Or maybe I am completely wrong and because I fight the desire to keep every thing and hoard “stuff” maybe canning is an “acceptable” form of it and I am just trying to rationalize it .. Ether way winter is on its way fall is in full swing and although my garden was not out of this world bountiful, do to a very wet summer, I am in “squirrel” mode, and canning every thing I can get my hands on.
I just cant seam to get enough jars filled with all sorts of fruit and veggies, and ohhhh the Jellies and Jams with their shiny jeweled tones, they are so pretty and so yummy. The verities of mixtures are just endless. Then when you give them away and you get a card from an 80 something year old woman who is admitting to being brought to tears because she has so missed the taste of “real food”, well it feels good! …. oh and as for de-cluttering we are getting rid of 2 fridge’s and replacing them will more efficient fridge and freezer.. and because we are doing that my pile of stuff to go that has been keeping my hall way occupied is now (mostly) in our Jeep waiting for a drop off.
So far I have canned 25lbs of peaches, 25lbs of Roma tomatoes, about another 25lbs of mixed tomatoes into salsa and stewed tomatoes, a sink full of Italian plums, 1 gallon freezer bag full of corn off the cob, bushels of pears, lots of jams and jellies, and this week coming up.. I have about 6 bushels of apples to prep.. :)
