I’m sure some bloggers remember
my leaving comments on their blogs
about how I was so looking forward
to canning, and freezing, and growing
everything from scratch when we
moved up here.
It’s harvest day every day,
up here right now.
This is like the fruit capital of Canada or
something….and everyone is trying to give
fruit away to friends and neighbours.
We get offers from complete strangers who know someone who knows someone who knows us….it’s there for the taking, it’s wonderful, it’s free, and it’s a heck of a lot of work.
How woefully unprepared I am for doing anything other then the limited amount of freezing that I have done so far. I have to ask myself as I pit my millionth cherry…who’s great idea was this? Oh right, this is what I wanted.
Where are the steamy memories of my Mom wiping the sweat from her brow, as she blanched and peeled yet another peach…plucked green beans till her fingers bled, and canned cherries, plums, apricots and blueberries. Our hot little kitchen just a glowing with the canned fruit, and jams lining up the countertops, all neatly covered in clean tea towels. The popping sounds would echo through the house all night as the jars cooled, and the lids contracted.
I remember skipping in with bare feet, dusty legs, and tangled hair, damp after playing in the backyard sprinkler all afternoon, and there was my Mom in the kitchen. Dishevelled, tired, and so happy that she had once again attacked that mountain of fruits and veg they picked up at the country stands all in order to save her family from starvation that winter.
Apricots and peaches our favourite, cherries, and blueberries the close second. We didn’t like the canned plums, those lasted until the next spring, and the masses of peaches were gone by Christmas.
Do you can? Did your Mom can? Did you live the life of delicious canned fruit for desert in the dead of winter? I still have those glorious memories of jars of fruit all lined up….
Pitting cherries again….Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Oh Jen. Such memories. My grandmother canned, teaching my mom (her daughter in law), who taught me, who taught my daughter. I do not can to the extent that mom did--she did red beets by the dozens.. As a child, it was my job to pick rhubarb and or apples, cook them up, and freeze them before I could ride my horse. Day after day. All summer. Now I do it because I love the fruit mid winter. Peaches will come soon. There is a a great sense of accomplishment to see the beautiful fruits in the in jars cooling on the counter. Beautiful photos today to match the memories.
ReplyDeleteMy mum was more a pickle and relish maker, though I do remember canned peaches. I'm waiting for some enterprising person to drive a truck from the Okanagan to the Island with a load of fruit - then I'll do a modest amount of canning.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom canned and still does. She has enough canned goods to feel all of Africa. No joke. I refuse to can. It's too much work for me and I never really learned how to do it without poisoning myself. The closest I've ever come is to do freezer jam. Jams & jellies I like, but I don't like canned fruit and would rather eat the fruit fresh.
ReplyDeleteYou do live in the fruitful Okanagan and what a blessing to have so much of it available. My mum didn't can or make jam or pickles but my mother-in-law sure did and we ate her produce all winter. I make jam and pickles but that's it. I think with the way the weather and poor crops are today we should be doing what we can to produce and preserve our own food. I just need to get a garden going. It's a lot of work but so worth it. (not speaking from experience!)
ReplyDeleteMemories are sometimes much better than reality Jen. LOL! I remember those days of peeling, blanching, cold packing, etc, etc. It always taste good in the dead of winter though after all the burns and blisters heal. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYep, this really hit home! My mother canned a lot of things but the thing I remember the most was the peaches and having them in the winter. I LOVE being around all the fresh fruit and veggies, but haven't not had the desire to "can." I bake, but canning seems a little over my head for me right now. I will just enjoy the shared from neighbors and friends. :-) Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteMy Mum canned and made jam all summer long. I mostly freeze the fruit and then deal with it in the winter. Happy canning, you'll be glad of it in the winter!
ReplyDeleteI freeze! when fruit is in season, I still freeze some in the small snack ziplocks to enjoy when they are gone. I bought cherries at the store today! I love them!
ReplyDeleteJen, you will be so thankful when winter comes that you did this...it is hardwork, the Lord will bless your efforts....
ReplyDeleteWow such pretty pictures. Send some my way. Cherries are expensive down here.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember my grandmother canning anything. I did make freezer jam many years ago when I first moved to BC.i just pick up homemade preserves from the farm in the valley.
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet memories Jen. My family gardened and yes canning was a popular thing around our house. My fingers ached from all those beans and peas. And the okra leaves your hands itchy. I enjoyed eating it all too. Thanks for sharing your memories - it prompted me to remember my busy mom.
ReplyDeleteAlas, my mom didn't can and I never learned how. I have an aunt that lives hundreds of miles away that cans and has a standing offer to teach me. But my mom did do freezer preserves which I LOVED! Thanks to your beautiful photography, I'm really craving cherries right now. *wink*
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Sweet post, Jen! My mom and grandmother canned a little. And I used to make Strawberry and Raspberry freezer jam when I was a stay-at-home mom with toddlers. Those were the days! Your post is so honest about the back-aching work of it...and the joy.
ReplyDeleteMy mom never canned, but I have made some jams in the past. Peaches can be sliced and laid out on a pan in the freezer. Once frozen, pop them in bags to use all winter. Very easy :)
ReplyDeleteMy mom did little canning...we ate what we picked in season. I hope I can pick or grow more in the coming seasons and can some. I would love getting free fruit from neighbors and strangers...I can eat cherries and blueberries all day every day!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen - those are my plans too. Lots of jam, frozen corn, peaches, chili sauce, pickled beets, corn relish, canned tomatoes...J
ReplyDeleteGrandparents canned. Parents were too busy for such things.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just the work that makes it difficult for me to tackle canning. It's the fact that I have an auto response issue whenever I see fruit. Actually there are two sets of muscles working in tandem. My mouth opens and my arm has an involuntary thing where it grabs the fruit and bends and puts it in my open mouth. I've tried getting help for this mysterious malady but I haven't tried very hard or with a serious look on my face. In fact the mouth part is really a problem right now as I gaze at your cherry photos. I might need to leave work and find a fruit stand. Or die. :)