October 5, 2009

It started with apples

I have an apple tree in my backyard. This apple tree has produced a massive amount of apples. I started to feel bad because they were going to waste. I didn't want them to just rot; I decided to bottle some apple pie filling and apple butter. I went to the store and bought the mason jars. While there I decided that I could also do a batch of strawberry jam. (I mean come on, who doesn't love homemade strawberry jam on toast?) On my way to the produce section I saw that raspberries were on sale. I bought two flats and added raspberry jam to my rapidly growing list. Then on the drive home I saw a fruit stand and thought that I might as well add peaches too. I figured I was going to be in the middle of canning hell anyway, why not add something else.

After 3 trips to the store, 25 lbs of sugar, 8 hours on my feet, ridiculously sore hands from peeling apple, I was done. The finished product was 16 quarts of apple pie filling, 10 quarts of peaches, 18 half pints of raspberry jam, 20 half pints of strawberry jam, 18 half pints of apple butter and 5 half pints of pepper jelly. Yeah, somewhere along the way I added pepper jelly.


You would think that I would be sick of canning, but I am not. Next week on the agenda is tomatoes and salsa plus a few other things. Green beans, chili, pumpkin pie filling, and maybe some potatoes. I am working on getting my food storage ready. I figured this is a good start.

Hope you all had a great weekend. I will also be posting my thoughts on General Conference a little later.

15 comments:

reagan: said...

Always be prepared! RIGHT? LMAO...
Well you were only doing what a good boy scout would do! AND if you acquire a taste tester, may I offer my assistance?

allison said...

Oh my goodness! I'm shocked how much you have done! you're a hard worker! good for you. impressive

Kristina P. said...

Holy crap! You are more awesome than Martha Stewart and Opran put together!

Little Ms Blogger said...

How cool. I've always wanted to learn how to can stuff.

Let me ask a stupid question, the apple pie filling you canned, would you use it to make a pie or is it more a warm topping to put on ice cream? I know probably dumb.

Did anyone help you with this?

Stephanie said...

Little Ms. Blogger... You can use it to make a pie, or on ice cream. My mom did it with me. She's a doll. :)

Jared and Tiffany said...

wow, i remember you making candy and yummy stuff all the time but who knew you were so domestic? I am really impressed. I am glad you call it "canning" cuz i read that it should be called bottling. I have always known it as canning.

Erin said...

Wow! Amazing! Way to go!

Andree and Josh said...

Wow! That is amazing! We canned some apricot jam and nectar a couple months ago, and I thought that was tough!

Rebecca said...

Steph, you are a domestic goddess! I hope I can be like you when I grow up.

Anonymous said...

WAY TO BE! I always think I want to do stuff and never actually do...

Unknown said...

Good grief! That is awesome! I had tons of peaches you could have had, you should of told me. I was to lazy to can this year, I just gave everything away to whomever wanted it! But that's totally awesome, I miss the applebutter my mom used to can growing up! Trade you one for peach syrup (it's really good)?

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

OMG, I'm totally channeling Baby Boom right now. JEALOUS!

Miriam said...

I'm so impressed! You are amazing. I really need to get on my food storage.

Kelsey K. Hartley said...

This is hilarious and reminds me of the children's book, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie." Congratulations, in 8 hours you just built your entire year's food storage!!!

Nomad said...

i just stumbled onto your blog so i dont know if this is something you normally do but i am super impressed... all this fresh jam and stuff, i wanna learn how to do this, or more importantly i want to eat this... do u just store it up or sell it???