Canning, Panning and Fanning

If you're wondering based on the title what this blog is about...you're not alone! I have no idea either...I have it all planned out to make some sense in a non-sensical way.  You'll see.  Bear with me.  I was in a very rhymonious (not sure if that's a word, but I'm runnin' with it!) mood, AND I'm canning AND I'm blogging, AND there are 6 children running around my house at this exact moment whilst my 5 year old son, Coconut is crying his eyes out, AND my hubby is chatting with me with me about various desserts he wants to make...at which I am nodding encouragingly hoping he'll head to the kitchen and whip something up.

News Flash Readers: He just turned on the TV so dessert is off the radar....

Anyhow...I'm canning..and I'm panning, thinking I need a second canning pot for the machine that is me....and I am hot and slightly bothered so I am fanning myself.  I'm also trying REALLY hard to ignore the demands of the 6 children...don't worry no one is hurt!!

I have become a little obsessed  focused with my canning.  Here's the list so far this season:

Peach Melba Jam, Honeyed Peaches, Lemony Blueberry Jam, Watermelon Pickles, Zucchini Relish, Applesauce, Apple Onion and Maple Relish, Sweet Dilled Pickles, Def Jam (cherry, strawberry and blueberry jam), and just 15 minutes ago - Tipsy Black Forest Preserves.

My goal this year is to not give anyone botulism.  If I shared some goodies with you - let me know if I can checkoff this goal as completed.  My second goal is to make some pretty darn good stuff.  I am canning while the veggies and fruits are cheap.  The downside is my kids keep eating all of my preserved stuff that is supposed to take us through winter!  Eat a fresh peach already...gosh!

I can't believe it but.....I am multi-tasking and accomplishing! 

Keeping it all together,

Kathy Pettit

Can I Can That?

Totally in love with canning!  I am a machine.  3 weeks ago I opened my new canner that I got for Christmas from my hubby - and I haven't stopped since.  I was worried it would be some sort of weird science experiment that I would suck at.  I envisioned exploded jars, jam on my ceiling, and blisters from the heat.  I am proud to share that none of that has happened.  I have made some pretty delicious things!  Even my picky 9 year old is excited about helping and tasting!  That, my readers, is a feat unto itself!

Given the fear of drought, floods and plain old world-coming-to-an-end winter - I figured I would buy fruit and veggies while the going was good and preserve them in all their summer glory with the cost still being reasonable.  So, when peaches and apples are $4 a pound....I can open a jar of my honey poached peaches :)  Mmmmm...yes I am bragging a a little bit, but hey - I have worked my tail off canning up a storm - I deserve a bit of bragging rights!

Hands down, best place to get fruit and veggies - our local markets.  Shop near the end of the day when vendors are anxious to sell their stock and not pack it back up to rot in their facilities!  Buy it up...buy it all up and can can can.  Or, just do the can can dance move if canning is not your thing. 

I can't believe it but...I am canning!

Kathy Pettit, aka Canning Queen (self-titled)