Jam Session

When I learned that Tree Ripe Citrus would be in the area, I marked it on the calendar. July 7th rolled around and I took Gabe over the border to Wisconsin and picked up 125# of Georgia peaches and 25# of Michigan blueberries after waiting in line outdoors for about 20 minutes.

What began as excitement turned into a major project. When we got home I began the search for my canning supplies. How difficult could that be? One box was labeled "small canning jars." Easy enough. After unpacking the jam jars that were clearly labeled on the moving box, I continued to look for the hot water bath canning pot, lids and recipe to no avail. I went through several boxes and gave up. It had already taken up quite some time to unpack the jars. Then I noticed the LEGOS everywhere in the basement and all over the house. Distraction. For two days we sorted LEGOS. Yes, that's a bit OCD, but they truly were everywhere.

Fast forward from Tuesday, July 7th, to Saturday, July 11th. It was time. If I didn't get this stuff canned it would rot. Luckily, the fruit was not super ripe when we picked it up on Tuesday. Guess where I found the remaining canning supplies? In a box labeled "painting supplies." Really? Worst. moving.company.eveeeeeeeer.

[I can't help but take a small topic detour here. Just to give you an idea of how bad the moving company was, one worker did not show up until two hours after everyone else and he could barely walk a straight line. No joke. He was either high or had a hangover. Let's give him the benefit that he was a diabetic and had low blood sugar. I found myself getting very upset with strangers (two specific men in the moving company) and firmly told them they were not being careful enough and THEN they decided maybe it would be a good idea to put padding on the walls, something that should have been done prior to moving everything in.]

Back to the canning.

We had many setbacks, but we kept the Wisconsin motto of "Forward" and slaved away into that Saturday night. I had many able hands (including my Knight) that pitched in and we got the job done. I believe we finally wrapped things up at around midnight on Saturday. I doubt I will never can when I'm 9 months pregnant again. I would have never made it through the pioneer day. There is a reason I live in the 21st century! I enjoy canning for leisure, but would not have liked to do it out of necessity for survival.

Aren't they purdy? There is great satisfaction in counting "popped" canned goods as the lids seal. Only one didn't. That one went into the fridge.

34 pints of blueberry, 42 pints of peach (minus the 1 that didn't seal)

Francesca was a dear and made four mile high peach pies today with the remaining box of peaches that didn't get canned. She also made 8 loaves of peach bread. She loves to bake!