That would be your Ball canning jars, of course. I've been so busy today that I haven't even taken a picture but I did a get few vintage canning pictures off the internet. I've got eight pints on the counter cooling and hopefully sealing and four more pints still in the canner. I always think it will take me less time to do a batch or two of green beans than it does. I will admit I didn't really get started until after one because I was doing other things like laundry, and making August and Levon cards to send to them at camp.
My cards are so messy and ridiculous that they would look better if August and Levon had made them themselves. But look what Lily made!
Camp cards!
She's amazing.
I felt like I should maybe send Jessie some mail too. I mean- she is at camp. But I didn't.
She's amazing.
I felt like I should maybe send Jessie some mail too. I mean- she is at camp. But I didn't.
It really does take a long time to snip and snap two sinks-full of green beans. I'm getting pretty good at judging by eye how many beans will fit into how many pints. I was perfect with that today. I am not, however, a Master Canner like the old woman up there in the top picture. Not by a long shot, but today brings my total of pints up to 36. I have now used just about every pint jar in the house including the ones I keep in the glasses cabinet that we drink out of. I still have some quart jars and also some half-pint jars. I might put up a few quarts of green beans while I'm at it. A pint is a good size for Mr. Moon and me but quarts would be better for things like Thanksgiving.
I got a house/cat sitter for when we're going to North Carolina! Our friend Mark, whom I have talked about many times, is coming. This makes my heart so happy. I texted him this morning and before I could even say that I would totally understand if he can't do it, he had written back that he would love to!
Hurray! He is such a good house-keeper and I know that all is well when he's here.
Hurray! He is such a good house-keeper and I know that all is well when he's here.
So that is done.
And that's about all I did today and I have to admit that I'm tired. That's a lot of time to stand on my feet in the kitchen. I did sit to do some of the bean snipping and snapping but it isn't that comfortable.
I'm going to make us a sorta-like Nicoise Salad tonight using our cherry tomatoes, a cucumber from the garden, and our own potatoes too. And basil. Last night I made delicious chicken with lemon, olives, capers, and garlic with two smushed up anchovies in it. Served with orzo, it's so good it almost makes me weep. Anyway, I still have some anchovies and will use a few of those in the vinaigrette for the salad. I have always disdained anchovies but have learned from the New York Times cooking app recipes that they can add a beautiful smack of umami to things. I am constantly amazed at the number of things I am still learning at my age. For instance- the word "umami". I learn some things over and over and over again because I learn them and forget them and have to relearn them, but that's okay too.
That's me, my bosom swollen with pride over the neatness and abundance of my pantry.
Shall we meet again tomorrow?
I hope so.
I hope so.
Love...Ms. Moon
I’m amazed at all the beans you’ve already canned!! I just planted bush beans a few days ago and they’re all up and happy looking no😋Of course I’ll be spending a few weeks in Norway during the summer, so it will be very exciting to come back and see how the veggie garden is doing - every year is different! I love those camp cards- I hope your grands will have a great time! Xo, Rigmor
ReplyDeleteThis time of year I want to visit the garden at least once a day. Everything is growing so fast!
DeleteI can remember how satisfying it was to look at my jars on the shelf! It is a lot of work and a lot of time on your feet! BE PROUD. And those beans will taste so good all year.
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited to be eating our beans in winter. I really am. It's sort of silly.
DeleteThe boys will be happy to get your cards at camp. Does the camp have a parent/grandparent visiting day? I've been to a few of these and it is great to see the kids and their new friends showing off their camp skills...water skiing, new swim strokes, horseback riding, archery and so much more. The camp experience is terrific. The ideal is: All kids should have this opportunity. Your canning project is outstanding. Having fresh veggies throughout the year is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteNo. I don't think the camp does have a parent visiting day because it's only for a week. Maybe they do for longer sessions. I'm just excited to hear the boys tell me about it all. If they will. You know little guys. "How was camp?" "Okay. Do you have any gum?" Etc.
DeleteTo qualify as an expert canner or preserver of beans, it is essential that you wear a frilly 1950's style apron and I very much hope that a member of your family buys you one for your birthday that is of course just round the corner.
ReplyDeleteOh honey. I do have frilly aprons. I used to hang them on the wall as decorations and sometimes I would wear some of them.
DeleteHank and Glen's birthdays come before mine. We have so many birthdays this time of year!
I’m surely not your only reader whose mind immediately went to a female version of the orange felon’s grabbing advice. Margaret
ReplyDeleteHa! I just got what you meant! But do we have to be famous?
DeleteThat was more than a day's work, on your feet. How I remember my mother's fall days of preserving. And summer. Peaches, tomatoes, grape juice were her three main products, but what a lot of work.
ReplyDeleteIt is work but at least I now have air conditioning! I can remember being a young hippie mama and making pickles in a hot water bath canner and sweating my ass off half the summer. But I sure did make some pickles!
DeleteThat's a lot of work, given that you also grew the beans.
ReplyDeleteThe chicken sounds like something I must make a note of. I've always loved anchovies, and usually been outnumbered. Nowadays I use anchovy paste.
But it's GOOD work- you know? You do know.
DeleteI have used anchovy paste too but honestly, smushing the little fishes themselves into a paste lends much better flavor in my opinion. Still, I keep the paste in my refrigerator.
BALLS yes!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I think of home canned green beans my mind goes to Housewife's revenge- a slight crack in the lid, sorry you are dead. Botulism beans- yum yum.
The cards are wonderful! Pop up cards are highly entertaining, the boys will love those!
"...sorry you are dead." Good thing I love my husband, right?
DeleteThe boys will love those cards.
Yes, let's please meet again tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThere's not much abundance in my pantry these days since I'm feeding one person and one cat, but there's plenty in the freezer. The cards for camp are terrific. We don't "do" camp here in Australia as far as I know. There are sometimes school excursions where kids go away for a few days, with a couple of teachers and a few parent volunteers, but there isn't the annual summer camp like you have over there.
Freezers are great too! These green beans just don't freeze that well. The canned ones taste so much better.
DeleteThere are parents here who send their kids off to camp for most of the summer! I've never really understood that.
Those camp cards are delightful. Good job on the canning!
ReplyDeleteThank you, e!
DeleteThat’s a very proud bosom and an umami smile. The cards by Lily are wonderful. Excuse me now, time to grab my balls.
ReplyDeleteYou have my full admiration for all that canning!
ReplyDeleteMy mother did that religiously, she also made gallons of redcurrant and cherry juice, there was a basement room full of jars and bottles in my childhood home. It was all a treat, even the pickled pumpkin. Whereas we just freeze literally everything and make jam.
Pickled pumpkin? Well. That's certainly something I've never even heard of. I bet the cherry juice was a treat.
DeleteFreezing works great. But yes- making jams and jellies and pickles is fun for me.
Your vintage pictures are a delight. Hurray for canning season! I'm so happy that this makes you feel proud--even if it also means you're (understandably) tired. Susan from Ohio
ReplyDeleteTired but good tired.
DeleteYou sound so busy and happy, Mary. Cute canning memes!
ReplyDeleteI do like to stay busy.
DeleteMy son and I enjoyed canning... jams, spaghetti sauce and so on, but now that he is gone, I don't feel like doing it.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. I'm so sorry.
DeleteI only want to can if I am allowed to have one of those frilly aprons like in the "we'll have lots to eat" image! My mom had aprons like that. I don't think I ever saw her wear them.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of umami until I met Dave. I don't think it's a thing we were taught in Central Florida!
I LOVE Lily's camp cards! I would have been thrilled to get something like that as a kid. I bet yours are nice too. :)
Steve- I will gladly send you a frilly apron! I bet you could even find one yourself at one of the thrift stores in London.
DeleteI'm not sure when "umami" became a known thing here in the states but I don't think I ever heard it until at least ten years ago. Maybe more like five.
My cards are rather embarrassing. I should go back to gluing glitter to madonna night lights.
Love Lilly's cards! You have a delightful family.
ReplyDeleteI learn new things with every blog I visit. I'd rather read blog posts than books, for the most part. I love biographies and autobiographies, so that figures, I guess..
I hope your family had a nice Father's Day weekend!
I used to can, pickle and freeze, but I get very tired quickly now, at 73, with Fibromyalgia and arthritis! My wonderful mother-in-law taught me ( very patiently) how to do it all.
(I've now been married 57 years, so I was a young bride. She was a special mother of nine, a farmer's wife, and she and I got along fine. I lucked up in the in-laws department.) I'm glad to say, if I needed to do it again, I believe I remember how with my recipes. We don't have a garden anymore, but I think I could manage if I had to! I'm sure you could, or already do-- as well. I think if it comes down to it, we can do it all again to feed and clothe our families!
Your "grands" are great. I have 3 grands and 3 great grands, and love them all!l I can tell you feel the same about yours!
Have a lovely week, Mrs. Moon!