It was so lovely spending part of my day with these ladies. My eldest niece (and goddaughter) and her youngest were visiting from out of state, and came to help me can thirteen pounds of pickles.
When my niece was little her mama (my sister who has passed)) canned pickles nearly every year. My niece and her sister were always tasked with scrubbing the cucumbers to prepare them.
Yesterday, my plan was to teach my now-adult niece and her daughter how to do one thing her mom loved to do.
My great-niece did the scrubbing, but then I taught her to safely use my Cuisinart food processor to slice the veggies. It was so much easier than her mama and me hand slicing! Then I taught them how to fill the jars, clean the rims and seal them.
In the end, we had eight quarts of bread and butter pickles, and two quarts, plus two half pints of dill pickles. Of course, I sent them home with some. AND, I finished everything in time for me to sit down for an hour before I had to shower and be at work for my shift.
I will say I didn't stay up late last night. I crawled into bed early and was soon out like a light.
I'll wash and put away my jars this morning, and will put in a little time with my needlework this afternoon. It started raining last night, and continues today. It's just what we need, so it's a perfect day for hanging out indoors.
Welcome August!
Great photo of two beautiful ladies.
ReplyDeleteVery nice to keep a tradition going (without the bathtub).
A very special day.
Shirley
Hi Shirley
DeleteThanks! I agree about the bathtub, too! Sink much preferred. I love sharing traditions. I think it will help them remember all their loved ones when we're gone.
xo
Donna
The smiles tell me that they had fun, and learned a valuable skill too. I've always loved making pickles but don't have a place to store them safely anymore so I can only make small batches.
ReplyDeleteHi MA-
DeleteI think so, too. I understand the storage part, hon. I had to do rearranging to find a spot in the pantry for these! I need to keep space open for this year's sweet corn and stewed tomatoes. I will can more beans (pinto and baked) and meat over the winter as more space is available. I did enough last year to carry over. Plus, my nephew has already promised more venison this fall. Space is getting tight, and I really don't want to carry jars up and down to the basement.
xo
Donna
Glad you all had fun.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, B&B Pickles!
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn-
DeleteThey're our favorite, and Mrs Wages Mix is really the best.
xo
Donna