Gaining Twenty Five Pounds

I haven't talked too much about my garden this summer, although last year, it was a hot topic! I'm still insanely interested in growing and preserving our own food. We've expanded the garden into a sunnier area for next year. Yes, that's for next year. Now to order some good black dirt to fill up our extension. Sun has been an issue in our garden. It seems there's just not enough of it when all of the tall trees are in the way -- so the new addition will solve this. Today, I'll be canning tomatoes. This mighty bowl weighed in at, you guessed it, 25 pounds.

"Gypsies, Tramps and Theives ..."

... or is it .... "tomatoes, ramps and beets?" Having a good blast of music while canning is essential. Today I've been pulling up old songs on Playlist and singing so loudly that I'm sure it still isn't loud enough to conquer my rickety stove hood fan. Next off beets -- and while I don't actually have any ramps they sure made a great addition to my canning jingle. (ramps are wild onions!). Twelve quarts total and counting. More tomorrow.

(click here for a dose of Sonny & Cher)

4 Beautiful and Spacious Quarts

The training wheels came off and I canned these four beauties all by myself! It was really fun and I have more picked tomatoes ripening inside. Last night we covered our entire garden due to a frost scare. Six blankets later, it looks like more tomatoes are on the way. It's been really nice to can in small batches.