Last Friday we went on our almost annual trip to pick fruit and prepare for the busiest canning week of our entire year. We were able to pick 2 varieties of peaches, nectarines, pears, and a few gala apples for fresh eating over the next few weeks.
We had a nice time on the outing, it amazes us every year how little time it takes to pick over 600 lbs of fruit. We saved our fruit boxes from years past so they all stacked uniformly in the car and had a nice gentle ride home without bruising too badly.
We canned 63 quarts of peaches the next day. We got all the ones that were ripe done, now we are waiting for the other half to ripen enough to can, hopefully that will be tomorrow. The canning process goes efficiently and quickly with our skilled helpers and 2 canners going at once. We had one set up outside on the propane camp stove and one inside.
We keep work time fun and entertaining!
Before we started the peaches we got one batch of green beans canned so we could reclaim the refrigerator space they had been taking up. After we canned peaches, we did one canner load of corn and also a batch of dill pickles. Oh and Mr. Wonderful didn't want the peach juice to go to waste so he canned that into a jam/jelly of sorts.:) It tastes pretty good!
I really enjoy this time of year, few things top that feeling of being prepared for winter and tighter finances that no doubt will be coming. Knowing we've put in the hard work and that we have healthy foods for our family is comforting. We like that we got to make some silly memories and that the kids are learning some great skills at the same time.
Socially speaking, it can be a little hard because we feel isolated while we focus on all this food preservation (partly because we are so busy, and partly because it feels like most people don't understand our desire for doing this sort of thing), but at the same time it is enjoyable enough work, it isn't so bad. I look forward to getting back to doing a little more with friends and family soon though. I am already brainstorming an idea for a possible fall party of some kind. Maybe, we shall see.
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