On a hot humid day in August one can sense the ripeness of the year. The earth is producing an abundance of fruits and vegetables that beg to be preserved for the coming winter. The four big canning and freezing jobs in August are corn, tomatoes, peaches, and applesauce.
Years ago, when I was feeding a family of six children, I canned fruit in two-quart jars and did 100 quarts each of peaches and applesauce. I don't remember how many dozen ears of corn we did but we needed six cups of corn for one meal. We all pitched in to husk a huge pile of corn. Now, I put only one cup of corn in a pack. Peaches and applesauce are in one-quart jars and that is enough for at least three meals. Green beans are in pint jars, pickles and relishes in half-pint jars.
I only did eight dozen ears of corn this year. A grandson came one day in July and helped us get it in the freezer. It was such a small pile I didn't think to take pictures that day.
Today my supplies of the big four are complete and stored away for another winter, thanks to a daughter-in-law, Velma, who volunteered to help. Yesterday she came to help can peaches for another daughter-in-law, Kelly, who has two small children. I had done my own peaches earlier so these were all for Kelly.
Sam is six-months-old
Today Velma brought the green beans and tomato products she canned for me at her house and helped can applesauce for both of us. Bless her heart!
Everybody helped, even Grandpa
Abi stirred the red hot cinnamon candy into some of the applesauce to make her daddy's favorite flavor.
I am grateful for the help with canning. It would have been a lot of work for me to do everything by myself. Thanks also to the people who had extra green beans and pickles in their gardens they were happy to share. We are blessed!
2 comments:
mrs. stauffer, i so enjoy your blog. and the one with family helping to can bought back so many memories of my mom canning. i am not a mennonite, but i am a follower of Jesus Christ, my Lord and savior. i have a question,i came across a church, east fairview mennonite church in milford nebraska online. im thinking all mennonite churches are not the same? (just as all baptists are not),is this one a conservative one? what are the differences? thank you so much for your blog. love your books. i am a widow, from MD. currently in SC to be near my daughter. keep me in prayer please. i miss my parents so much, and miss visiting their gravesite. curious about mennonite churches. suzanne rapacki
I am not familiar with that church in Nebraska but it seems to be at least mildly conservative. Yes, there is a great variety among Mennonites. While Mennonites and Amish have the same 18 articles of faith, there is great variety in practical applications of the principles, especially on separation from the world. For the Amish this means no electric, cars, and other things. There are Old Order Mennonite groups that allow electric but no cars. Then there are those, like me, who allow cars, computers, and other technology but not TV and have distinctive dress patterns, do not vote or serve in the military. And on the other end of the spectrum are Mennonites who look no different than non-Mennonites and are involved in politics.
You can learn a lot about Mennonites on GAMEO. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Welcome_to_GAMEO
I'm sorry for the loss of your husband and parents. May you feel the presence of Jesus giving you peace and comfort.
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