Creative Joys

Canning. Such a homely activity. Seems antithema for me to enjoy it, but I do. In the last two weeks I have 'put up' (my grandmothers always said it that way) 46 jars of seed strained raspberry and marionberry jam. I love both of these, but hate dealing with the seeds, so after much experimentation, I have come up with a way to remove most of them without losing the texture of jam. Oh, they are good, right now especially over ice cream!

As I stirred and boiled and poured, I had plenty of time to think about why I was taking time to do this. I decided I truly enjoy the whole activity. My favorite part of canning is taking the jars out of the hot steam and hearing the lids suck down. Such a satisfying sound! Then I get to stack a whole cupboard full, stand back and enjoy my work. Like the Creator, thinking, This is Good.

I have two more projects awaiting the garden's produce: zucchini relish and dill pickles. I can't wait until we can harvest and get started.

Canning, summer, grandmothers - these live together in my happy memories and are part of the creative joys of my life.

It's Summertime

Ah the joys of summer! Yesterday we put up 18 jars of jam- raspberry and blackberry from our yard. Tonight I picked another 6 cups of blackberries and made berry crisp. To go with the BBQ chicken I harvested 3 potatoes, 1 zucchini and 2 small heads of broccoli which are steaming on the stove. Dad’s out BBQing by the pond. It is very tranquil out there. Three of the neighbor girls just stopped by to pick berries for their dinner. I love this place. Both the Bing and Rainier Cherries tasted really great (all 6 of them). I can’t wait until the tree produces enough to share. Wish you all could be here to enjoy the bounty. Takes me back the Summer of Courtship.