Getting Ready

The 2012 canning and preserving season is about to pick up the pace around here.

A good friend called me this morning to let me know she might have some boxes of peaches for us this week.

We have a bunch of tomatoes in the fridge and sitting on the counter that will need to be canned in a few days as well. Our 3 tomato plants have done great this summer and since we (I) don't eat a lot of raw tomatoes, most will be canned.

Dan's mom gave me the update on their sweet corn. Looks like Wednesday is the day for freezing corn. The kids and I will head to her place and spend the day there. So that leaves Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for canning tomatoes and peaches (we're busy Friday-Sunday).

I think it's going to mean some late night canning sessions. I normally can and freeze produce during the day (especially during naptime) but Edwin hasn't been falling asleep at naptime (although he is required to stay in his room for a certain amount of time) so my best bet might be to do a bunch of canning each night after the kids are in bed.

Can I do all this?

I basically have to. It's either get everything canned or watch perfectly beautiful food go to waste, and that would be a crying shame. Plus, it's all worth it when I see those jars sitting in the basement just waiting to be eaten over the winter.

I used to think my Mom's photos of her canned produce were boring and kind of odd - who would want to take pictures of canned fruit? What's the big deal??

Now I understand. Sorry, Mom.

Summertime Fun

Watching a little worm.

"Ned do that on Ned own."

(frequently heard these days)

This next, Mom!

Two birds with one stone: drying sheets and making a tent. 

(The shade is necessary in our back yard on days like we've been having.)

And my littlest helper:

I can't get enough of her grins and giggles!