You know that phrase—better late than never. That has certainly rung true this late summer around here.
One day I woke up and realized I had better get my act together as the days were becoming shorter and the air a bit crisper. Fall slowly started to creep in.
When I realized that I was behind in getting my canning done, I did panic for a bit; I literally froze in my tracks and stopped breathing, wondering how in the world I was going to get it all done.
You see, I run a small business along with the farm and, of course, my full-time job, which helps to fund all this madness. The calendar has always been my best friend, so me and the calendar all sat down together and looked at each other,finding just the right amount of time needed to start canning.
I also put together my list of favorite recipes and started the process of getting it all done. As I began the canning process, I realized that time management would be crucial in order to balance my various responsibilities. I decided to prioritize certain tasks and delegate others, ensuring that everything would be completed efficiently and effectively. I made sure to allocate specific time slots for each step of the canning process, such as preparing the ingredients, sterilizing the jars, and cooking the preserves. By doing so, I was able to streamline the canning process and avoid any potential delays or mistakes.
Counting the jars on hand is always my first step; this gives me a good idea of how many cases of jars I need to purchase, because being without canning jars is like living without the sun in my world.
The recipes I decided to focus on are the Spicy Canned Salsa, Freezing Corn on the Cob, Tomato Soup Base, Salsa Verde, Peach Salsa, Cinnamon Applesauce, and Canned Pears. Once I had a clear idea of the number of jars needed, I made a trip to the store and stocked up on the necessary supplies. As I gathered all the fresh ingredients for my recipes, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the delicious results that awaited me.
I carefully followed each recipe, chopping, mixing, and simmering the ingredients until they transformed into vibrant and flavorful jars of goodness. The aroma filled my kitchen, reminding me of the joy that comes from creating something with my own hands and sharing it with others.
Jump ahead a few weeks, and I am happy to let you all know that I was able to can everything I set out to and fill my pantry with jars and jars of wonderful fruits, vegetables, and soups just in time for winter, as old man winter is starting to awaken around here.
The trees are all bare; the squirrel has packed his den with walnuts; and the horses and donkeys are all getting their fuzzy winter coats. The sight of my fully stocked pantry brings me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. As the days grow colder, I look forward to cozy evenings being well fed from my garden and hard work this late summer. I can already imagine the comforting aroma of homemade soups simmering on the stove, made from the fresh produce I harvested and preserved. It’s a reminder of the bountiful harvest I was able to achieve and the self-sufficiency that comes with it. As winter approaches, I feel a sense of peace knowing that I have prepared myself for the colder months ahead.
