Later in life, after I was married, my husband and I brought a house that had many fruit trees. When my grandmother came to visit us one fall the fruit trees and grape vines were all ripe. My grandmother must have thought I was crazy because I had not started picking the fruit and making ready to start canning the fruit. She hastily started the process. We ended up with applesauce, apple butter, preserved apples, peaches, grapes and plums. I think my husband and I had jars of fruit for two years. I must say that it was wonderful smelling the fresh aromas of the fruit and later tasting the rewards of our efforts.
I have not canned any fruit or vegetables for quite some time. After I got out of the Navy I went to work in food processing. Of course I enjoy the electrical and mechanical aspect of food processing. I also love automation and much to others dismay, I am always looking for new ways to make tasks easier, safer and faster with out losing quality.
This past weekend I was looking for recipes to make for our anniversary dinner. I ran across one of the recipes that my grandmother had hand written for me for canning the apples. A flood of memories overwhelmed me and the simplicity and joys of the days I used to spend with my grandparents canning and freezing our summer’s bounty.
It made me wonder how much quality time is lost with family with all the conveniences of today. It is cheaper to go a pick up a can of green beans or a jar of preserves than it is to make it yourself. The days we spent preparing the food to freeze and can were some of my best memories. Laughing and joking as we prepared the food.
What traditions or time that you spent with family has changed since you were going up due to modern conveniences?
Love this post! I live in Alabama and my grandparents used to do the same. I was always helping snap those green beans too!
ReplyDeleteI think the memories I miss most are my Christmas ones. Christmas isn't the same anymore. I miss it!
I still can. I never canned growing up though. I do it as a cost saving measure. We always have a garden and if I don't can the extra I freeze it. Less preservatives is always better. I need to go make blueberry jam and use up all the blueberries we picked. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!
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What a wonderful post this is! My childhood memories that I treasure most are of going on drives to the country with my grandparents. I grew up in Massachusetts and have terrific memories of growing up there. I will be back to read more, I am now a GFC follower!
ReplyDeleteI just plain miss my grandmother (maternal) and everything we did together ~ thanks for this post ~ namaste, Carol ^_^ ~ wondering????????
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I miss my granmother's sweet pickles, she canned all the time. I also miss working with my dad, he taught me so much.
ReplyDeleteMy family canned everything they could get their hands on. It was WWII and with everything rationed, what grew in our garden is what we would have to eat come the snow-bound days of winter. My mom kept all the canned food in the basement, everything lined up on long, long shelves. Each vegetable and fruit were stored together so we could readily find whatever mom sent us to the basement to get. How my sisters and I hated that basement and being the oldest, I was generally chosen to turn on the one sole light and grab the chosen jar. Mom even canned lard when dad butchered a pig. Nothing went to waste. Even when the war was over, she continued to can the garden. It wasn't until we moved to CA in 1956 that she quit canning. I do have to say, that I know how to can just about everything that grows. No freezers in those early canning days, so I still put things up in jars. Good memories. Well, not the basement. But the days of canning are a good remembrance.
ReplyDeleteWe canned too, my mom was the leader of course, I blanched tomatoes for vegetable soup and just plain tomatoes which are still my favorite! Store bought are not the same! We also canned green beans, corn - which can be tricky! Occasionally it would pop open and make a hugh mess! I loved having those cans to pick from in winter. I think we miss a lot too in the comraderie and family time nowadays. I need to figure out a way to teach my grands how to do this.
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Fun post, thanks for the memories! Hope you have a great week! Angela
great blog, interesting story.
ReplyDeleteNice and let me tell one thing that it not my hobby to post comment on other blogs but you written it very well so i made up my mind to post comment.
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