Food Preservation

So our whirl-wind summer is over, but it seems like we are in for a whirl-wind fall now. (does it ever really stop?) Anyway, so here is the update. Mike is currently in D.C. (or Maryland rather) doing a firefighter training course through FEMA with their volunteer incentive program. I hate having him gone for very long, but he was so excited about the trip, I couldn't say no. So I have been trying to keep myself occupied while he is away, but I think I may be over doing it. I have made a new nightgown for Penny, a new skirt for me (I hope I can put together a tutorial on that one), cleaned my whole house (though you wouldn't guess it looking at it now), and I have been canning the harvest.
Mike and I have been a little tighter than usual with our finances that usual and so I have been trying to find ways to cut back. Lucky for me it is harvest time and I have family with big gardens.

My grandparents have one of the most incredible gardens I have ever seen. I was able to get lots of carrots and summer squash from them. (Best tasting carrots ever by-the-way). We also have been enjoying summer squash from my mother-in-laws garden. (I turn green with jealousy every time I see her garden).

Grandma and Grandpa D. were also able to give us some beats. I know some people think they are weird, but I love beats, and these are the best. They are in high demand so I tried not to take too many.

Were were also able to pick some onions. These ones are just sitting out to dry. I use onions so often that I wanted to pick more, but guilt over my greed held me back.

My mom bought me a box of Peaches from... I can't remember. Anyway, these went several ways. Some were baby food, others frozen for smoothies, and more for peach jam (yummmmm). I wanted to make some peach pie, but I ran out of peaches. If anyone has extras, you know were to send them.

We also were able to go out to Layton and pick tomatoes. I only got half a bushel this year (I still had some left over from last year and didn't need a whole one). The smaller jars in this pick are my peach jam jars.

I use a different kind of pectin than I usually use. I think it turned out okay, but I think I will save this kind of pectin for when I make jellies instead.
All in all it has been a very productive two days of food. I took a class through the extension office on freezing foods. I think I will give some of the things I learned there a try if I find the time. Well I hope you all are enjoying your own harvests.