Canning Factory

What’s a lady to do when there is so much produce to can but not enough time? Go to the canning factory! The pressure canners are huge, about three foot wide by four foot tall. Many jars will fit in this contraption–more than you can physically fill with produce. Everything is pressured in one canning session not numerous cookings like it would take at home.

Sterilizing jars was quick and easy at the canning factory.

Skins and cores had been removed, tomatoes had been chopped in the food processor and when it was all said and done, this five gallon bucket of tomatoes was filled to the brim. I canned homemade pizza sauce, stewed tomatoes, and whole tomatoes for Jim to eat with crackers. I feel good about canning all of this low sodium, heart healthy food!

I also canned bell peppers to go in stews, meatloaf and other recipes.

Best Lunch in Southwest Virginia

Today I had the best homegrown lunch in Southwest Virginia. Yellow and red Mr. Stripey Tomatoes, peaches and cucumbers. Yummy!

Passing Down the Tradition

On a recent trip to my friends, Donald and Cathy’s beautiful country home, I enjoyed their darling little granddaughters and seeing them pass down the tradition of home canned food to these little ladies.

Thankful for Tomatoes

Due to all of the rain last summer, the tomatoes did not grow well and I didn’t get to can any. It was a repeat this summer–lots of rain and no tomatoes. I received word from a few counties over, that my friends Cathy and Donald had some tomatoes. Thank you for sharing your bounty!

Strawberry Cranberry Jam Recipe

I’ve had a request to share my strawberry cranberry jam recipe and am happy to do so. Strawberry cranberry jam is yummy on ice cream, homemade biscuits, toast, waffles or pancakes.