Daelith

I've got to pick green beans tonight. We're getting over run with cherry and grape tomatoes. Cucumbers are coming in slowly. I need about 10-12 to ripen at the same time so I can make some sweet relish. Reminds me I need to look for a recipe that doesn't call for onions. DH hates onions.

I also turn on the radio. Usually country music while canning. Might listen to a movie I've seen a number of times. I always have my dogs to keep me company so I also talk to them. They help keep the floor clean when I drop stuff.

Our new rental home has a glass top stove

Do you mind canning outside or have a place to put a camp stove?

Tractor Supply has a 10,000 BTU dual burner camp stove - http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/masterbuilt-double-burner-camp-stove

Currently on clearance for $59.99

LOL, Cat. You brought a smile to my heart.

 

Yesterday was very busy doing research and development....

 

I get right on it and see what I can do.

 

I got it working today. Had to file a report as a false positive then update it. Working fine now.

 

Armadillos in TN? I thought they were mostly desert dwellers.

 

We have a friend who traps bob cats every year. Last year he got around 200.

 

They've been migrating out of the west for some time now and I don't think they really care if the live the desert or the humid South. We seem them all over the place here.

I love the old comedy movies - Ma and Pa Kettle, Blondie and Dagwood, Marx Brothers, Andy Hardy, etc.

And Mae West. TMC was having a marathon of her movies a couple of weekends ago. I made it through 2 before getting too sleepy to hold my eyes open.

We have quite a variety. Hawks, owls, hummingbirds, finches, doves, woodpeckers of all sizes (Pileated to small Downy), turkeys, lots of little common birds, deer, foxes, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, squirrels, chipmunks, some little lizards and snakes (rat, king & cooperheads are ones we've seen).

Of course, we have mice around too. Part of country living.

I've seen in our area but thankfully not on our property - skunks, beaver, ground hogs and bob cats.

Good article with lots of good points. Especially the power outage situations.

I have not yet gotten brave enough to can meat. Well, I did put up some beef stew this winter and some ham stock from my left over Christmas ham bone. But I'm getting there as I get more comfortable with my pressure canner.

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone!

Now I have to figure out why my home laptop virus software doesn't like this site.

Yeah but you're closer to the mountains. Lucky lady!

Memphis area

Last year, we decided to do a small garden plot. We have not had a vegetable garden in over 20 years, but I still had some seeds from the last time we did at out old home. I really didn't have much faith in anything sprouting from my old seed stash which had been in the refrigerator crisper drawer since we moved to our current home 18 years ago. Surprising they did come up though. Had a good crop of dill, yellow squash, zucchini and beef stake tomatoes. This year I planted some of the okra seeds. I should be picking okra in a week or so.

Afternoon! I stumbled onto you web site some time ago while searching for something online. Been lurking long enough now and I figured it was time to start trying to be a little active. Mainly been reading to learn from those who have way more experiencing canning than I do.

This is my third year of canning. A neighbor down the street got me started when she asked if I wanted to help with some peaches. We did a bushel and a half that day and I was hooked. So far this summer, I have put up 18 pints of green beans, 6 pints of potatoes, 6 quarts of Razzleberry pie filling, 8 half pints of bruschetta, 3 half pints of peach pie jam and 6 half pints of Blushing Peach jam.

Thanks everyone.

I had a few bits of chopped tomato left over and I put some on my garlic toast that I was serving up with our spaghetti dinner Sunday night. Drizzled the left over brine over it and it was yummy.

I made bruschetta yesterday. Turned out very good. I used the recipe out of The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. Ended up doubling the liquid brine portion because it was did not look like it would be enough and I was right. Had about a half pint of brine left over. I'm going to toss it with some chopped cucumbers for my husband since he won't eat tomatoes.