Canning Season Is Here

I've been busy in the orchard, and in the kitchen this last week.
Picking apples before the deer eat them all is an never ending "chore" around here.

Once we picked the organic apples, then "putting them up" is the next task on the list.

Thankfully, I've had the best kitchen help possible...my foodie fanatic daughter. Well, I must say, that is "fanatic" in the very best way! She keeps me sharp in my kitchen skills, and mostly, we just have a lot of fun together.

No wonder women of yesteryear, did things in groups. Sewing circles, quilting bees, and even preserving the harvest together. I've decided that together is the best way to accomplish what other wise may seem like a chore.

So, if you don't seem me around much on Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, or Etsy, just know that I'm in the kitchen, laughing and perspiring, and savoring the sweet smell of cooking apples.

Canning 2012

Planning for Fall

The apples on our trees are quickly telling me that in a week or so, I will be busy making applesauce, pies, and who knows what other goodies I'll come up with.

In preparation for this years canning season, I came up with some new canning sticker designs. By nature, I'm an embellisher...if there is such a word. I enjoy adding a "little something" extra to most things that I do. So, with that in mind, I embellished these vintage inspired canning stickers with felt buttons and some raffia bows.

I'm excited to get started "putting up" this year's bounty, and use these fun labels for gift giving.

Cottage Style Canning Stickers

It was so much fun to add to my current canning sticker, label and tag collection in my Etsy Shop. Just recently added are these cute, Cottage Style Canning Stickers.
I love the checked border, and then contrasting the black checks with a fun splash of colorful buttons and glitter flowers.

These stickers will also be cute as gift tags on packages. They can "dress up" whatever purpose you use them for.

Featured in Mother Earth News Magazine

I'm so honored to be featured as one of the shops on Etsy that offers unique, creative, home goods canning jar tags. Mother Earth News has a whole section of their magazine set aside for information on home canning and preserving. Along with the how to's, and where to buy supplies, they also feature links to shops on Etsy where you can purchase your favorite style canning jar tag or label.
Go here to check out the article: http://www.motherearthnews.com/canning.aspx

Rainbow Button Stickers

Making these darling little button labels was like being a kid in a candy store! Rubber stamping, a favorite of mine; rainbow of colors that are so bright, and then top them off with adorable little buttons...what could be more fun?

I originally planned these stickers for canning jars, but they can be used as name tags, gift labels, and even organizational tags. Just a couple of additional thoughts on ways to use these cuties. Do you have any ideas? Let me know.

Planning for "Canning"

Planning ahead is often hard for me to do. I am working on stocking my little shop with canning jar labels and tags so that the "home preserver" can be ready when the harvest comes on. Come by the shop and take a look at the home canning items that are in stock and ready to ship.

Canning!

This last week has been spent in a hot kitchen, with boiling pots of water, wonderful spicy smells, all surrounded by people I love.

My daughter and I were able to spend the week canning applesauce, peach jam, and apple butter! 36 pints of applesauce, 12 half-pints of peach jam, and 36 half-pints of apple butter! Whew!

It has been such a fun and rewarding week, seeing all our efforts pay off. From picking the apples off our trees, to slicing, cooking, and processing; to the finished product.

Reminds me that my Father's love for me is the same. He never gives up in the process. From "picking" me, to washing, cutting away the bad parts, putting me to the test in "boiling water" , and sealing me with the Holy Spirit. He never tires of the process, and I am forever grateful!