Friday, October 12, 2012

Canning for the First Time..... The Art of Preserving Cookbook



Hello!
The kids and I decided we wanted to learn how to can....
The last time I canned something was when I was in Home Ec (almost 20 years ago)
and for some reason I have always been terrified of canning...


 I bought 
a Williams & Sonoma preserving cookbook called

It is a very informative cookbook and I am eager to try out some of the recipes....
I also ordered the Blue Chair Jam Cookbook, recommended by Heather Bullard...


We plan to do some canning this weekend, and then we are headed back up to Apple Hill next week to do some more apple picking.... 
I can't wait.


I purchased some Kilner canning jars along with a quite a few different sizes of 
the weck canning jars (they have lots of canning information on their site)....


The kids are excited about it and so is my husband....
My mother in law, Marilyn has always put in a big garden and has her own fruit trees, she does all kinds of canning each year....
If only she didn't live in Montana.... I would have her come over and teach me how to can...

 On another note....
I forgot to choose a winner for the Creatively Made Home e-course giveaway.....

The winner is Lori B, countryicon@hotmail.com.
Lori please contact Kimberly Taylor at kimberlytaylorimages@gmail.com.
Congratulations Lori!
If you haven't already signed up  for the e-course it isn't too late...
The course starts October 22nd.

I hope you all have a great weekend!
I had planned to post some fall decorating last weekend, however I wasn't able to find the time to blog, I will show you some images from the past few years in the near future.

Take Care,
Maria

Instagram (dreamywhites)

25 comments:

Wendy said...

Maria, was so excited to read about Apple Hill! I lived in Placerville for 4 years before moving here to WA state 30 years ago. I loved Apple Hill! I have only made freezer jam and am afraid of canning too! You've inspired me. xox

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Oh you will so enjoy all your preserved goodies this winter.
I have made jams for years and they are my all time favs!
I also love pickled beats and applesauce.Mmmm good.
I have never used such fancy jars and also wonder how well they seal~Cheers Kim

Anne Lorys said...

I've always wanted to learn canning, too! We live in peach country down here, and even have a peach tree.

I hope to get going on it next Spring.

Have a great weekend!
XO,
Anne

Blondie's Journal said...

You will love canning, Maria! It's time consuming but you have helpers! I used to make red sauce and salsa from the goodies in my garden, I never tried jam but I'm sure it would be delicious! Great books! Have fun!

XO,
Jane

XO,
Jane

Anonymous said...

Hi Maria,
When I was little, my grandmother had a garden and would can her fresh fruits and veggies every year, and I have always wanted to try doing it myself. I wish she was still here so she could teach me.
Let us know how it goes and thanks for the links for the books and jars!
Have a beautiful day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Tricia said...

When I was growing up, my mom would always can things that she grew in her garden. The thing the particularly stands out in my mind was the green beans, since she would make my sister and I snap the ends off and cut them all...oh, it thought it would never end. Looking back I have to laugh, because now I think canning sounds pretty wonderful, especially fruit...maybe that's preserving though, now that I'm thinking about it :) Hope you have a good weekend.

xo

primjillie said...

I love homemade applesauce, so maybe I need to buy a bushel of apples when we go to Apple Hill...I was hoping you'd post some fall decorating, I still haven't done mine and need inspiration!

Jill

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

HI maria,
My mom used to can every summer when I was a kid and I was her reluctant helper. I sure wish that would have paid attention now! Every summer I tell myself that I am going to give it a try but yep....it scares me!! How funny! Glad I'm not the only one.
Best of Luck! Can't wait til you share the results!!
Beth

Daune | Cottage in the Oaks said...

We tried canning for the first time this summer....it was fun! And we have enjoyed having fun little gifts to grab and give...and enjoyed eating the products of our labor. :) Have fun!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Those canning jars are so pretty! I hope your canning goes really well! Have fun at Apple Hill! I visited once years ago when I used to live in N.California and I remember it being the prettiest place.

Shabby chic Sandy said...

I have never canned--but I love that cabinet you use to put the canned goods in! What a pretty aqua color!

Evelina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Evelina said...

Nice pics!
Good luck with your canning!

kråke said...

Beautiful pictures!:)) Looking forward to see the result;))

smiles....

kråke

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

My mother always canned peaches, making them into jam.

She had the entire works and I never even bothered learning it - she died young and I have wished since then I would have learned.

My eldest daughter wants to learn, perhaps one day next fall we do this together in memory of my mom.

Good for you, I am glad you are passing the legacy onto your children, that is so awesome.

Unknown said...

i've always wanted to try it too, it does seem a bit intimidating! hope all is well! susan

Anne said...

Maria I like you am intimidated to try canning.I am looking forward to hearing about your experience.
I wanted to thank you I just received my French market basket! So much prettier in person.This will be used allot! That lavender sachet is heavenly!Thank you so much!
xx
Anne

Mary said...

everything is so pretty!
canning scares me, too! can't wait to see what you make. :)
xoxo

morocco tours said...

nice blog !!!

Heaven's Walk said...

You are going to love canning, Maria - especially when a bunch of you do it together! My husband and I can about 400 pints & quarts of salsa, stewed tomatoes, dill pickles and b&b pickles with veggies from our garden each year. We use it all the time when cooking, and give a lot away as gifts. I can also remember helping my mother and grandmother can homemade applesauce decades ago. Sweet memories.... :)

Have fun! It's really quite easy!

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

Love your blog! I love all shades of vintage white and was hoping to find "like minded" women so I googled vintage white and was so glad to see your blogsite pop up! It's amazing and beautiful! How do you do it all with 5 children and homeschooling, you are amazing!

countertops ia said...

I knew photographers would love the look.

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

I've always wanted to learn to can food. You'll have to let us know how you like the Williams-Sonoma book on canning food. As it happens, there is a Williams-Sonoma store here in town where I live : :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

Lara said...

I am sure you guys will do a marvelous job with canning! The jars look great in your blue cabinet. I have always been intimidated with the idea of canning myself... I think it's because of the whole processing to seal the lid thing at the end. I will try someday though! I got my package from you last week!!!!!! I hope you got my e-mail. :) I love it!!!!
Hugs,
Lara

RSA QLD said...

Good luck on your canning Maria. That's very enjoyable activity.