What to do with 220+ lbs of produce – Day 5
10:02am
I’m so excited to taste my peach butter! It’s actually still burbling along, having been on all night. It’s going on 12 hours now — seems my crockpot just simmers along at a nice low temp and doesn’t go crazy about anything as I’ve had no splashing. It’s about ready to get after with the immersion blender and then can. Just trying to figure out if that’s something I can tackle with my little guy underfoot. Might blend and leave it on “keep warm” til naptime.
Mom is coming!!
She’ll be here within an hour. Whew!! We’re going to get into the rest of the tomatoes and peaches. I imagine the yellow sticky note with the tally of boxes of produce left is going to see some Sharpie-crossing-off-action today!!
Come back for updates and pics – this promises to be a fun day!
1:17pm
The cavalry in the form of my mom arrived with her tools in hand – a big green Tupperware bowl (I remember it well from my childhood!), a stainless steel bowl, and two knives. She was ready and raring to go! A quick lunch of a yummy caprese salad and we are off to the races!
She has skinned and chopped peaches for a second round of slow cooker peach butter (the recipe is AMAZING if I can toot my own horn – I will post it tonight when I have a chance to sit down and breathe), and I’m about to spice it up. Now she’s moving on to the Grade A peaches to skin and can some and I’ll chop and freeze more.
Whew. Anyone in North Van want to come by and help? All are welcome!
9:43pm
I’m just now sitting down and taking a breather. Though I am not sure it’s fair to say that as my mom really did all of the big work today – this woman is a machine! She knows what she is doing, doesn’t hesitate and gives great tips (I’ll share one with you in a pasta sauce recipe post in a few days).
The day yielded 10 jars of peach butter, 9 quarts of tomatoes, 9 quarts of peaches, and many bags (I didn’t count but probably 15) small bags of frozen peaches. There’s also another crock pot of peach butter that has been on since this afternoon that I’ll can tomorrow. All in all, excellent.
I didn’t get many photos today as I was so busy zipping around in the kitchen, feeding my mom crackers and hummus and snacking, and chasing down Finn.
I want to say though, if you’ve never canned with your mom…you have to. It’s such a nice way to spend a day. It brought me right back to the kitchen of our farm house, and it warmed my heart that she was right here for me in my hour of need (without me even asking!).
Tomorrow: cooking and canning the last of the peaches and tomatoes!
I’ll also post the amazing peach butter recipe.
Live like you mean it,
Tamara
What is really great about the kind of day we had yesterday is that it really doesn’t feel like work. It seems like a visit- a day spent chatting and laughing with someone you love. Having the right company is what it’s all about. Still grinning every time I think of the good laugh I had about something Finn said and did! Fun,fun,fun!!
Tomorrow your sis and I get to do it all over again at my house, though we will just have tomatoes to do.
Mama, I couldn’t agree with you more! I find the best way to hang out with people whose company I enjoy is in the kitchen making something. (Well then again, there aren’t many people I am actually happy to cook with…so strike that…I think the fact that it’s YOU I am happy to share my kitchen with says a lot!!)
And really, thank goodness for the comic relief provided by our little guy!
Have fun with Tanya – wish I could be there!
Love you.