Crazy Canning Lady

My boss recently dubbed me the "Crazy Canning Lady" because every weekend and even during the week if asked what did you do this weekend? last night? my answer is always canning this or that! I have stayed up until 2 am canning green beans which I swear I will never do again; too hard to go to work the next day.

My husband has helped a great deal and I think takes great joy (in a - "haha you have to can all this") in bringing in buckets full of beans, tomatoes and potatoes. He helped me "put up" a lot of our vegetables this year.

Tomato Fence in Raised Bed

Cucumber Fence in Raised Bed

I have been blessed this year with a beautiful garden! I am so pleased with the fences that we put up for the tomatoes and cucumbers to grow on. I still have squash which is unusual this late in the summer. the squash bugs usually have destroyed the plants by now.



I took a day off this week just to do canning. I am still getting tomatoes, banana peppers and cucumbers. I have probably about 100 jars on my dining room table.

Canning 2016

My canning list - summer 2016 (125 jars to be exact!)

6/30 - Bread & Butter Pickles - 9 pints
7/02 - Bread & Butter Pickles - 8 Pints
        - Banana Peppers (Cowboy Candy) - 5 1/2 pints
7/04 - Vegetable Soup - 14 quarts
7/05 - Green Beans  - 11 quarts
7/10 - Tomatoes - 11 quarts
7/11 - Tomatoes - 6 quarts
7/16 - Spaghetti Sauce - 14 quarts
        - 14 day pickles  - 2 gallons
7/17 - Chili Base - 5 pints
        - Banana Peppers (Cowboy Candy) - 6 pints
        - Dill Pickles - 4 quarts
7/23 - BBQ Sauce - 7 - 12 oz jars
7/24 - Salsa - 9 pints
7/26 - Cucumber Relish - 13-1/2 pints
   
Most of the recipes from this list came from my Home Preserving Book and several of the recipes came from family members.  One of the best way to  keep the tradition of canning going is to pass it on to the younger generations. If anyone is ready to learn how to can just leave me a comment and I will be happy to show you.  I will be canning more Salsa and some potatoes in the next few days.   Its a lot of hard work but come winter when you open a jar of Salsa or green beans it will take you right back to summer! 

4th of July - Canning

Instead of celebrating America this weekend I spent most of my time canning. Saturday I made bread and butter pickles along with some "cowboy candy" which is made with jalapeño or banana peppers.  Sunday we went to the Steadman family reunion. ,Monday the 4th my husband and I canned vegetable soup.

We have been so blessed this year with an abundance of vegetables. Canning to me is a very satisfying chore. It's hard work and I love hearing the lids "pop" when they seal.