Last year was very interesting to say the least , when I tried my hand at making blackberry jelly. It had been many, many years since I had canned anything. Matter of fact, it was when I was a little girl. I remember very vividly helping Mom make jelly and pickles.
I always loved helping. Now that I think about it….I have to wonder if I REALLY was much of a helper? I don’t know the answer to that….but she sure did make me feel as if I played a big part when we admired the finished product!
The other day I went to purchase some jar lids. As I compared name brand versus off brand tops, I remembered times when Mom must have been out of lids herself and would use paraffin. Funny how things like that will pop into your head after laying dormant for sooooo many years. Gulf Wax….I can see the box in my head plain as day.
While picking out lids, I happened to pick up some pickling spices too. I’m hoping that I will get around to that too, before the season totally ends. There again I remember helping mom wash the cucumbers, using a recipe that required us to soak them in lime. She would stress the importance of rinsing them really well. Then we let them soak for a while in cool water, rinse and repeat this process several times. Making the pickles was not a quick process, but man were they ever good!
I needed more lids because I passed a fruit stand and had to buy some peaches. They were huge and looked delicious.
As I looked at the different kinds, a lady that worked there asked me if I was making jelly with them. When I told her yes, she directed me to a spot that held several BIG bags of peaches. They were ripe and ready to go. If I was making jelly in the next day or two…. she would recommend these. I remembered last year having to let the peaches sit for a couple of days for them to soften up a bit. I was delighted that she shared that with me. AND because they were already ripe….they were much cheaper.
The next day I got everything ready for a day of canning. As I retrieved my jars I felt like I was 8 again. Helping Mama gather the jars from the cabinets. I was small enough to wiggle into the back of the corner cabinet ….where things would often get lost it was so deep. Washing them in the hot soapy water….I could almost feel the wooden chair underneath my knees. Remembering how Mom would push a chair to the sink so I could reach. I would kneel on my knees and wash the glass jars. Sometimes getting fascinated with the bubbles, and get lost in popping them. Or wading that dish rag up just right so I could slip my small hand into the mouth of the jar and clean it all the way to the bottom. If I didn’t know better I would have thought I was back in the kitchen on Linde street.
Plum jelly was one that mom made a good bit. We had access to plums from our tree in the yard and friends that had plum trees as well. Friends that lived in the country would share their abundance of vegetables with us. I fondly remember picking vegetables straight out of the garden. That was work and fun all rolled into one.
I tried to remember why we quit making jelly….and pickles. I suppose it was due to the fact that it was more convenient and economical to just buy it. It does take a lot of sugar and time to make jelly. I honestly don’t know how Mom had the time or energy to can anyway. But… somehow she did…..and she let us help on top of it. Like I said earlier, I’m not sure how much I really “helped”. I might have even got in her way a good bit, but she never made me feel like that.
I proceeded to rinse and peel the peaches. Funny how I felt much more confident this year, after venturing back into the canning world last year.
The peaches were just beautiful!
I peeled and chopped and peeled and chopped and peeled and chopped. That was indeed a BIG bag of peaches!
The smell of those peaches were wonderful, especially once they came to a hard boil. The aroma was heavenly. I actually got a little brave on the last batch and added some cinnamon. Now that……smelled good!
All in all it was very uneventful this year, thank goodness.
I will have to say the pop of the tops is music to my ears. I absolutely LOVE hearing the jars seal.
There is a great since of satisfaction when it is all said and done.
Of course they are finished at this point….but I like to decorate the jars. A couple of nights this week at the end of the long summer days, I cut my fabric and made my labels.
As I was finishing up the jars…..Billy said…they sure look good don’t they?
I had no idea he was even paying attention, since we both had different things we were doing. He admired the jar as I applied the label. I admit….it made my heart skip a beat.
The jar glistened as I held it up with the pretty peach colors shining through. It’s that…. AH….moment.
I sure am glad Mom let me spend that time with her in the kitchen so many years ago. It is a neat thing to be able to pass things like that along to your kids. Although I might have forgotten some things about the process…there are some things I will never forget. The hard work, the wonderful aromas, the laughter, the music of the lids as they seal and the smiles that came afterwards!
It isn’t just the satisfaction of “hey….I did that”.
It’s being thankful for the things God so richly blessed us with, food and family to enjoy it with.
Now, I just need to make some good ole buttered biscuits…and everything will be.… just peachy!
I've Gone Country 