It’s normal for northern Minnesota to have a period of fall rains. But holy cow have we been blessed! I guess it’s a good thing in one way. I’ve been canning double batches every single day. It’s really stacking up. Literally! Will has been lugging full boxes down in the basement for me. When I went down there to get supper fixings, I was amazed at how many boxes of canned food were down there, stacked up, waiting for me to put them away on shelves. Well, that’s a good thing, right?
Will’s been busy hauling in truckloads of firewood from that logging site 7 miles from us. We even stopped by there on the way to leave the car at the repair shop and again when we brought it home, each time, he filled up Clifford, his big red Dodge Ram. Then, while I was cutting up tomatoes to roast, then can, he and grandson, Drew, hooked up the big equipment trailer and went to load it full. When they got back, I’d gotten a crate of sweet corn shucked (the very last!), and the tomatoes, peppers, and onions ready to go in the oven. They got a very nice load, which they’ll split between them.
Yesterday, David came with his family and picked their pumpkins. I always love watching granddaughters, Delilah and Melanie, rush around to find the perfect pumpkin. Melanie picked a tiny one, the size of her head. I didn’t even know there were any out there that small! Of course, David grabbed two Big Max giant pumpkins that he could barely carry. Then another, just because he couldn’t resist. Boy, there are a lot out there yet!
Today, I’ve got the roasted tomatoes in the waterbath canner and the sweet corn ready to cut off the cob and can up. Because it’s sunny this morning, I’m going to help Will split up a big bunch of cut wood and haul it into the woodshed. We’re really late in doing this and feel like winter’s coming like a freight train. Must hurry!
— Jackie
What a beautiful scene of your woods!! I got my wood done early this year and am off trying to get other things done. I can hardly believe its Oct in 1 more day!! I love hearing about all of your canning adventures!
I love the picture too, but it’s the woods at the logging site, not our home woods. I wish we had all our wood in, but we’re working on it every day now. Will stacked up five tractor buckets, heaping full, yesterday and we’re hitting it again this afternoon. Yea!!!
Nature does nurture our souls, bodies and minds! Last Saturday I had the blessing of attending a retreat about being present to God, other people, & ourselves. The healing we receive from nature was one of the things that we talked about. Jackie, your blog, pictures & the comments from your readers go along perfectly with that! Thank you, God bless you and all who appreciate Creation!
Yes, indeed, nature does nurture our souls as well as our bodies as we work and minds as we relax and enjoy life. It has healed countless people and continues to do so for us, every single day!
Thank you for all the help you give us in many different spheres of life. Speaking of canning, I have a question. I have been gifted a few cans of different kinds of vegetables, corn, Carrots, green beans, have frozen peas, raw onions and small raw potatoes. I would like to mix them up and can in pints to put into beef or chicken soup this winter. What pressure should I use for such a combination of previously canned vegetables from the store plus some raw vegetables? Thanks so much.
I meant to add, how long should I pressure them?
You always can for the ingredient that takes the longest time in your mixed recipe. I also can a lot of various mixed vegetables as they are so very handy when you want to use them. Remember to thaw and bring to room temperature, any vegetables that are frozen. I often add frozen peas to my mixes and am always sure to thaw them well first.
I’m also glad to have you reminding us not as doom and gloom but preparedness! Our ancestors didn’t run to the store every little thing. I grew up with grandmothers who canned my mom taught me the short cuts:) I was reminded today of her quick way of preparing pears. 2 canners going of pears! Yesterday I canned up tomato paste following you Jackie Thank You for your books! I’m continually opening them for everything Yes Paul’s words are so true and important.
Just go an email from Denali saying that October is the last month of canning. Hmmmm I can year round . Follow your tips for freezing thawing out when time to can items up. Bone broth this weekend. Take care everyone
I have to laugh when folks say they’re all finished with canning for the year! I mean really laugh! I can every single week of the year, whether it’s on-sale meats like turkeys or hams at holidays or juice to make jelly, midwinter, when things have slowed down some. There’s always something!! And I enjoy it so much!!
You know, Jackie, you’ve sounded the clarion-call for preparedness time and time again. I just thought it was neat when I saw Paul telling the Corinthians, Brethren, the time has been shortened. He went on to tell them to prep spiritually and physically for hard times. The year was 55AD. Trials and tribulation were on their way. You, too, Jackie have kept us on our toes.
I try to keep encouraging folks to be as self-reliant as possible, including stocking up for bad times, without all the doom and gloom, the world’s going to end uptake.
We all, like Paul, have had our own trials and tribulations. It’s just a good idea to be able to look out for yourself as much as possible.
Don’t we live the most amazing lives out in the country with nature, awesome sunrises/sunsets, and watching storms rolling in, and the wildlife! Why would anyone want AI and such. They miss all the grandeur and life! Regards from far northern California.
I thank God every single day for our life out here in the woods. Little things, like the leaves changing color, the fox lying on top of one of our round bales, sleeping, regardless of us passing by, the bounty of our gardens, our health, our wonderful family. I wouldn’t trade all this for all the money in the world!