Thank You Ma Fletcher

My sister, Angel, gave me several boxes of canning jars this summer.  Today I was making some Hot Pickled Mix and got out some of those jars.  This was one of them.  The labels says FROM THE KITCHEN OF Ma Fletcher CONTENTS Sweet Pickled Peppers DATE 9/84.  This gesture from the past made my heart sing.

I love canning and I love it for many reasons.  One of them is because of the long history of generation after generation of women preparing food for their loved ones.  The time it takes in the preparation, the gathering of supplies, the hot sudsy water as you wash the jars.  Jars that if you are lucky are passed from woman to woman, family to family.  The love and care and yes, the science that goes into preparing foods that will stay good and will nurish your loved ones.  I love canning in a quiet house, my kitchen sounds, the running of water, the fire of the gas heating the pots on the stove, my footsteps going back and forth to the sink, island, stove.  These are the sounds my kitchen and I make preparing foods with love for those I love.  I also love canning when my family is home, the gazillion tv's, the laughter of the boys, even the squabbling.  My kitchen noises are drowned out by the sounds of the family I love living life.  Their footsteps racing through the house drown out mine...but mine are still there..following in the footsteps of all those who have gone before me.

I was lucky enough to know 2 of my grandmothers, Mamaw Cheek and Grandma Doan.  Both women shaped my life and who I am today.  Most of my happy memories revolve around the time I spent with them.  I took their quiet lessons with me and they live within me.  I didn't get to know my Grandma White, but my Uncle Bruce told me some about her..and I know I would have loved her.  We are so similar and I am proud to be their granddaughter and to carry on the traditions that I know they loved.

So, thank you Ma Fletcher for your jar.  I will happily fill it will love over and over.  And Ma Fletcher...if by some chance you have moved on...could you please tell my 3 Grandmas hello..thank you for the life lessons and I love and miss you.
Tina

Farmers' Market Guilt...and Glee :)

So...rainy day...get to Farmers' Mkt and there is ONE 1 ONE  vendor Out In The Open..so I MUST buy from him...because well he hung IN and all... and isn't in the Covered Area..so... well...I Have To, Right??  So, I did...2 beautiful cabbages.  And then I went inside..and bought lots of peppers, and broccolli and cauliflower and did I mention I bought more peppers??  So...Hot Pickle Mix, and Peppers...all to be canned is on my immediate horizion and I made..YUMMMMM...broccolli cheese soup :)
Peace,
Tina

At Least My House Smells Great!

Made up 1/2 bushel of Spy Apples into Apple Butter this morning.  The yield is :
Pints=12
1/2 pint=21
4 oz jars 10.

I still have 2 1/2 bushels left!  I am going to do the rest in applesauce and sliced up and frozen for apple pies/crisps.  Clearly I was clueless to the amount of apples I was getting!

Banana Peppers
When I went to the farmer's market last time I picked up a 12 qt basket of banana peppers.  There was a mixture of red, green and yellow.  I canned them up with some vinagar and sugar and salt.  They have to sit another week before the guys can dig in.  Super easy and I think they are so pretty!  Next year's garden will definitely include banana peppers.
Tina

Spiced Pear Butter, who knew?

Saturday I got tired of tripping over the bag of pears I picked up last week and dug out my ball blue book (bible) and made up some Spiced Pear Butter. OHHHH MY HECK! Incredibly good. I had a little more pears than called for so I added a bit more of this and that and the other and it turned out so dang good. I canned it up and now we will have it to enjoy for awhile. Hopefully there will still be pears when I go to the farmers mkt this week and I will make up more. I had no idea this would taste THAT good.
Tina

Boo!

Jamie and I are going to go to a grown up Halloween Party tonight. We are going as Shrek and Fiona!! Oh the costumes are sooooo funny. We are like a couple of silly kids giggling with excitement and anticipation. Things were a bit rough for us for a few months and this feels really really good to be able to share this fun and anticipation as a couple. I can't wait to share pictures with everyone!

Tomorrow we are going to my sister's house and going to see Mom and Harry too. Going to take the boys to a pumpkin patch near Angel's and have some fun carving them.

My weekend is promising to be loads of fun and I hope yours will be as well!

Take care,
Tina

Finally!

I have tried for the last couple of years to become a "runner". I have never really felt comfortable actually saying that I am a runner, more along the lines of I run or I'm trying to become a runner or I like to run sometimes and even I ran " x-amount". Finally, with my efforts over the last few months I am comfortable saying "I am a runner". My inner definition is that I am capable and comfortable of running for a minimum of 15 minutes and a minimum of a mile. And I enjoy the actual run itself. I am starting to run less in the shape of a "C" all hunched over, eyes on the ground and more of a shuffle than a run. I find I am standing taller, head up, butt tucked and able to actually look around at the passing view. Shoulders squared. I think this is partly my voice in my head telling me to stand straight but, also, my confidence is growing in my running. I no longer feel like I am a "fake runner" but can say with confidence, I AM A RUNNER!