Gigi&#039;s Blog &raquo; Tales of the Mortician&#039;s Wife

November 7, 2018 - 5:32 pm

Shirley – So beautiful and uplifting…such a balm to visit your blog Gigi.

My Grandma always kept her red geraniums on her service porch over Winter. I think of her when I smell them.

I have had good success keeping a poinsettia plant indoors for three years. It never bloomed again after the first year, but it became so lush and big that I enjoyed it even without any flowers, I gave it away this year as it was outgrowing my small space.

Thank you for the lovely hymn…it is now humming in my heart…and for the reminders from Elisabeth Elliot.

You are a treasure❤

Shirley

November 7, 2018 - 11:29 am

Laura Smith – Hi Gigi another lovely post. As I read and comment I can see my red geranium hanging plant on my back patio. In Texas our flowers get a second life as they get relief from the sweltering heat. My husband purchased the flower basket this spring and we actually had a sweet finch couple build a nest in it and lay some eggs. My husband carefully watered the plant during this time and a few weeks later we had chirping baby chicks. We were even blessed to see the babies start to leave the nest as they hopped around on our patio and eventually the family flew away. All that to say we don’t typically need to over winter our flowers but if we do get a freeze we do move any potted plants into the garage and cover with a blanket. This is usually for a short time and they are back outside enjoying the sun an 60f temps.

October 31, 2018 - 8:58 pm

Gigi – Yes, indeed, Bethany. Always so good to hear from you. 🙂

October 30, 2018 - 11:26 am

Bethany – Such a great reminder in these times! <3 Our hope is in the Lord which means we can have peace in our hearts even when events around us are extremely upsetting.

October 29, 2018 - 10:45 am

Debby in Kansas, USA – I could smell the geraniums just looking at the picture. We had a garden full of those year-around in Southern Cal and I loved them. Red ones. My grandma always had them in her garden when I was growing up. And calla lilies. I haven’t tried either since moving to Kansas, but maybe I will next year.

I have a couple of plants I bring in for winter. A rather large Ficus tree that is taking over my dining room right now, Christmas cactus, and some kind of flowering succulent that was given to me several years ago.

The madelines look delicious!!

October 28, 2018 - 6:29 am

Gigi – Sue, yes, overwhelming is the word – this is when we need slippery shoulders and to pass the weight onto God! A quiet heart is preferred. 🙂 I will be praying for you.

October 28, 2018 - 6:28 am

Gigi – Teresa, it would be so lovely to have pansies in the home. I should look at getting some, too. I don’t think I know of any place that would still have them, but that is a great idea.

October 27, 2018 - 11:20 pm

Teresa – I have overwintered potted plants in the past. This year I didn’t get to. My mom has kept the same Poinsettia potted plant alive indoors for three years. It should be blooming soon. I love keeping potted flowers alive during winter it does brighten up the home and helps winter not to seem to dreary. I thought about purchasing some pansy to see if they will bloom all winter indoors. I believe they are still available to buy in the garden centers.
A very lovely post have a very cozy evening and weekend.

October 27, 2018 - 9:01 pm

Sue – Thank you Gigi for this wonderful, encouraging and admonishing post which i so appreciate at this time in my life. Sometimes during a time of trials, it can feel rather lonely and overwhelming but now i see that as an opportunity to nurture a quiet heart before the Lord. I also like this quote from Ann Voskamp which says “You have to let hope always carry you, or fears will carry you away. God Bless You and Yours.

October 27, 2018 - 5:09 pm

Gigi – I did not know you could overwinter mums … what a grand idea!

October 27, 2018 - 9:33 am

Monica – Lovely photographs! Yes, I do overwinter my potted plants and usually have success. Last year I lost a couple of plants due to it just being too cold on our screened in porch (when it got down to 13F one morning)…mums are great to overwinter, I didn’t have to purchase any this year. Geraniums are so pretty, I don’t know why I don’t have any. The recipe looks so good, light and fluffy, like a doughnut without the glaze. Yum! Yes, I work on a quiet heart constantly. Just in my speech, thoughts, responses, general attitude. It’s constant work! I love the quotes from Elisabeth Elliott…reminds me of the quote I’ve seen that says “The Sovereignty is God is the pillow upon which I lay my head”….knowing that God is in control of everything is so quieting to our hearts if we would just rest in this. ❤️

What Is in Your Teacup? 🌹

Monday, October 15, 2018

Tea is wealth itself,
Because there is nothing that cannot be lost,
No problem that will not disappear,
No burden that will not float away,
Between the first sip and the last.
THE MINISTER OF LEAVES

After a long, hard day of many chores, tasks and homeschooling, I do so love to sit in the afternoon for a cup of tea. There is something so peaceful about the sound of hot tea pouring out of the spout into your pretty teacup … knowing your chores are mostly finished … children are happy and tucked in for naps or playing quietly … laundry is folded, dinner is in the oven … it is then that I have my little tea break.

In fact, my day does not even feel complete unless I have had a moment to have a real cup of tea. No rushing about, no sipping coffee from a paper cup or even a big, chunky mug from the kitchen island, sipping between tasks of teaching grammar and kneading bread dough … no, I’m referring to actually sitting down, quietly, resting, reading a chapter from my book and actually drinking tea from a lovely tea cup. As a girl and a young lady, I always loved tea, tea parties, tea cups and anything relating to tea. It only makes sense that, in the throes of my adulthood, I would indulge in an afternoon tea ritual …

{My husband purchased this second-hand beautiful teapot for me – I just love it!}

If you love tea, you must make yourself a pot of rosehip tea …

Have you tried rosehipstea? Just the name of Rosehips sounds so romantic and feminine, doesn’t it?

Simple place your rosehips into your loose leaf strainer and pour boiling water over. Let it steep for 10 minutes. You may add cloves, if you wish. I did not have any and simply prefer the gentle taste of rosehips, the precious fruit of the rose flower. You may purchase rosehips from Amazon or you may collect them wild, if you are so blessed to have a rose garden.

Not only is it a lovely tasting tea, it’s also fantastically full of vitamins and nutrients.

Rosehips actually contain 50% more Vitamin C than oranges … so this is a great tea for your children, especially in the upcoming winter months.

From the Keepers at Home magazine:

“The medicinal value of rosehips is extremely important for our health. Rosehips are full of so many beneficial compounds which include vitamins C, A, B1, B2 and B3, as well as calcium, iron, selenium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, silicon, tin and zinc. Rosehips have been used to treat fevers, influenza, diarrhea, stress, infections, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory conditions and also to lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, boost the immune system, strength capillaries, build strong bones and teeth, shorten the duration of a cold, heal wounds and prevent cancer.”

This is a beautiful tea to serve to your family and for yourself. Add in a little raw honey for your children if they wish to sweeten it – personally, it is just perfect me without any sweetener.

Of course, teatime is much more enjoyable if poured from a tea pot and into a real tea cup. If you do not have a tea cup yet, visit a thrift store. You will find delightful ones for a decent price. It is fun to have a collection of tea cups for yourself and your friends and family to use. When is the last time you visited someone and they actually served you tea in a teacup? It rarely happens anymore – but as my grandmother says … tea must be served in a teacup!

“Sometimes quick experiences pay big dividends.
You need refreshment and renewal.
Don’t let yourself become so overwhelmed by your responsibilities
that you forget how to nourish yourself with those things that give you a lift.. .
like a cup of tea, perhaps?
-Emilie Barnes

Around the Home, Health, Herbs & Health, Old Fashioned Living, personal, Tea at Two on Tuesdays, Uncategorized

by Gigi

9 comments

October 25, 2018 - 4:13 pm

Shirley – This is such a lovely post

We love tea time in my cottage.

The tea pots and cups stay out all the time and folks are always stopping in for tea.

I taught a Bible study once and the atmosphere was a bit quiet as ladies were shy at first. I brought my Aunt Bee tea pot….a chubby little pot covered in calico wearing a pearl necklace around her tea lid, along with China tea cups a quilt for our tablecloth and nice tea. Don’t you know the whole study was warm and open after that.

When the study ended a lady wrote me about missing Aunt Bee and tea time Bible study.

Tea really is a special treat.

And your husband has good taste in tea pots.

Hugs from Shirley

October 17, 2018 - 5:30 am

Gigi – Oh, Monica, yes, I understand. Well, this would taste so much better than sugary tea, I think! At least, it will be healthier! Yes, those little bulbs are the rosehips. 🙂

October 16, 2018 - 9:51 pm

Monica – Ah, this post is so “you”! 🙂 Love the tea set…it is very lovely! Good job, husband!
Do you know that sweet, sugary iced tea is HUGE here in the south? As in, drink with every meal?! So I am definitely going against the norm. I know no one, personally, who drinks hot tea. But me…my children like it too if they have colds.
Sigh, I do so love tea, at least once a day…(coffee is my first love!) but I admit that I have only a white ceramic coffee cup that I use all around. A couple of years ago I went on this minimalism kick where I got rid of doubles of everything and then bought “white” everything..yeah, one of those phases inspired by Instagram or Pinterest, I can’t remember. Sigh. So it’s time to get me a proper teacup! 🙂
I’ve never tried Rosehips! I have several rose bushes…so the little bulb things…little balls…that’s the Rosehips, right?

October 16, 2018 - 8:12 pm

Gigi – Debby, yes, you should have a pretty tea cup! I don’t think I have been to many tea parties, unless I have hosted them myself, which I also think is a shame. My sister and mother, however, threw me a tea party for my bridal shower many years ago. It was lovely. Everyone brought a teacup for me to keep. I was so blessed! I would love to see more tea parties being hosted.

October 16, 2018 - 6:21 pm

Debby in Kansas, USA – Your teapot & cup are lovely! Aside from my childhood tea parties, I never actually attended a REAL one until my niece’s baby shower when I was about 35! It was so wonderfully girly!
I made it a point to have several of my own. I should made a point to do this again. It’s been several years.

I should also treat myself in a lovely cup, that I have several of. I’m guilty of the microwave/mug thing. Shame on me!!!

October 15, 2018 - 2:52 pm

Gigi – You are right, Regina. It is our every day moments in which we need to use those lovely teacups … your collection sounds wonderful!

October 15, 2018 - 2:52 pm

Gigi – Rosehip is so tasty – you should certainly try it! Raspberry leaf is lovely, too. And chamomile tea is a favorite of mine, as well. Herbals teas are so wonderful…

October 15, 2018 - 10:57 am

Regina – Oh I just love tea and yes, it must be served in a pretty teacup! I gave myself permission to actually use my teacups regularly now instead of waiting for special occassions. I did this after seeing ladies like yourself drinking tea from such elegant teacups. Even my husband thought I should have some teacups to use on a regular basis. Most of my teacups second hand. My mother-in-law gave me several teacups before she passed that belonged to her mother. Then there are teacups that I and my daughters received in online teacup exchanges.

Rosehips tea sounds really good. I should check and see if Republic of Tea has some.
Have a blessed day.

October 15, 2018 - 10:20 am

Sarah – I have never tried rosehip tea, but must now! I love herbal teas. For many years I only drank black breakfast tea, however over the past few years I have learned the benefits of herbal teas and have been amazed. Red raspberry leaf tea and chamomile tea are two teas I drink daily. I loved reading the health benefits of rosehip tea. What a lovely way to get extra vitamins and minerals! : )

Children Won’t Wait

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

~ Children Won’t Wait ~

Helen M. Young

There is a TIME to anticipate the baby’s coming,
a time to consult a doctor;
A time to plan a diet and exercise,
a time to gather a layette.
There is a time to wonder at the ways of God,
knowing that He guides our every step.

There is a TIME to dream of what our children may become.
A time to pray that God will teach us how to train the children He gives.
A time to prepare ourselves that we might nurture this new soul.
But soon there comes the time for birth, for Babies won’t wait.

There is a TIME for night feedings, for colic, for baby tears.
There is a time for rocking and a time for walking the floor.
A time for patience and self-sacrifice,
a time to show our children that this new world
is a world of love and goodness and dependability.

There is a TIME to ponder what a child is–not a pet or a toy.
But a person, an individual–a soul made in God’s image.
There is a time to consider our stewardship.
We cannot possess another human being. Our children are not ours.
We have chosen to care for them, to love them, to enjoy them, to nurture them,
and to answer to God.
We resolve to do our best for them … for babies don’t wait.

There is a TIME to hold them close and tell them the sweetest story ever told;
A time to show them God in earth and sky and flower,
to teach them to wonder and reverence.

There is a time to leave the dishes,
to swing in the park, to run a race, to draw a picture, to catch a butterfly,
to give them happy comradeship.
There is a time to point the way,
to teach their infant lips to pray, to teach their hearts to love God’s Word,

to love God’s day, for children don’t wait.

There is a TIME to sing instead of grumble, to smile instead of frown,
to kiss away the tears and laugh at broken dishes.
A time to share with them our best in attitudes–a love of life, a love of God, a love of family.
There is a time to answer questions, all their questions,
because there may be a time when they will not want our answers.

There is a TIME to teach them so patiently to obey, to put their toys away.
There is a time to teach them the beauty of duty, the habit of Bible Study,
the Joy of worship at home, the peace of prayer, for children won’t wait.

There is a TIME to teach them independence, responsibility, self-reliance.
To be firm but friendly, to discipline with love, for soon, so soon,
there will be a time to let them go to try their wings, for children won’t wait.

There is a TIME to treasure every fleeting minute of their childhood.
Just eighteen precious years to inspire and train them.
We will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position,
or business success, or professional reputation.

An HOUR of concern TODAY may save years of heartache tomorrow.
The house will wait. The dishes will wait.
The new room can wait. But children don’t wait.

There will be a TIME when there will be no slamming of doors.
No toys on the stairs, no childhood quarrels, no fingerprints on the wallpaper.
Then may we look back with joy and not regret.
There will be a time to concentrate on service outside our home;
On visiting the sick, the bereaved, the discouraged, the untaught,
to give ourselves to the “least of these.”
There will be a time to look back and know that these years of love were not wasted.
We pray there will be a time to see our children upright and honest souls,
loving God and serving all.

God, GIVE US WISDOM to see that today is the day with our children.

That there is no unimportant moment in their lives.

May we know that no other career is so precious, no other work so rewarding,
no other task so urgent.

May we not defer it nor neglect it,
but by Thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously,
and by Thy grace realize that the time is short and our time is now …

For children won’t wait.

Around the Home, Large Family, Old Fashioned Living, personal, Uncategorized

by Gigi

4 comments

October 10, 2018 - 8:17 pm

Gigi – Yes, his farmer’s tan … *sigh* Hugs right back to you!

October 10, 2018 - 8:16 pm

Gigi – Thank you, Shirley. Always so lovely to hear from you!

October 10, 2018 - 2:58 pm

Shirley – So lovely Gigi. I always enjoy my visits here. Beautiful children and home.
Have a sweet dayShirley

October 9, 2018 - 8:58 pm

Monica – Love all of the pictures! Look at little Loyal giving his momma kisses—love his little farmer’s tan! And the girls…so delightful! This is a beautiful essay—full of truths! Oh that we can find the balance of doing everything as we should! This balance has to be given from the Holy Spirit. On my own I get it all wrong. I desire it so greatly! Hugs my friend.

Applesauce {Preserved} & Roses of Contentment

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year,
bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil.
And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time,
do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November.
Rose G. Kingsley
The Autumn Garden

Reaching down, I grasped the two handles of the bushel basket and heaved the heavy basket onto the outdoor table. Beautiful, red and green apples lay inside the bushel basket, a product of the fall harvest here in Ontario. Greedy wasps swarmed around the basket, wanting their share of the prize, but I swatted them away and tried to keep my distance from the tiny, painful pests.

{Did you know apples are part of the rose family? What a precious fact!}

Sitting down at the table, I pulled out each apple and began slicing and dropping the cubed fruit into my big stock pot. Looking up I could see fresh, clean laundry – the lace curtains from the backroom, along with the daily load of laundry – dancing in the crisp breeze. The girls, after a morning of helping with chores and school work, were free to run and play – they were squealing and making happy children noises from the trampoline. The two little boys were settled in the sandbox, happy to be playing with their tractors and making a sandy mess.

The October sun was shining bright and clear. Careful not to cut my fingers, I managed another glance around the yard … red tinged maple leaves scattered throughout the branches of our largest Silver Maple tree told us of the forthcoming winter months … there were a few straggling Canadian geese, clumsily honking and flying the wrong way (perhaps there was a pond they were attempting to reach for a snack and flying break) … and the smell of rain in the air. This indeed is my favorite time of year. It is so cozy, so comfortable, it draws one home and begs for popcorn and apple cider, impromtu bonfires and early cozy nights in warm houses … not to mention, visits to apple orchards for apple picking.

As my knife deftly sliced through each apple, my thoughts wandered … these were moments that I truly felt contentment. I’ve been working on this character trait for a while. It is not always easy, I must admit, to feel content when situations do not go my way … perhaps my husband is required to work extra long hours and is not able to take a day off with the family … or my day does not go as planned and there are quite a few unforseen interruptions, throwing school and life off schedule … maybe a little one wakes up in a foul mood and decides to be miserable for most of the day … a little one is unwell and needs extra attention … whatever it may be, on some days, there are many reasons that I am tempted to feel discontentment.

I find if I fill my mind and heart with encouragement – Bible verses, hymns and encouraging, wisdom-filled books or writings – then I can easily handle those moments that threaten to topple me into the depths of despair.

Also, looking at these sweet children of mine that the Lord has blessed me with … well, that always cheers me up. 🙂

Let your conduct be without covetousness;
and be content with such things as you have: for he has said,
I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5

I am working on holding my tongue, refraining from speaking complaints and negative thoughts … I also am praying over the situation that is causing me trouble, giving it to God instead of worrying or fretting about the details. It is easy to find the thorn in our day, but not so easy to always find the hidden rose.
I’m working on focusing on the roses –like these two little Men in my life …

{my new-to-me stockpot … just a bit bigger than my first stock pot}

Here is one rose in my day … my eldest daughter and I were able to slip out to a thrift store recently with the two little brothers. I spied this large stock pot (on the left) at the thrift store and just sang up a praise to God! I have been wanting/needing another stock pot for some time. And at $8, this was a great find. Thank you, Lord! I have used it for all my canning since then.

Speaking of canning, here is the Promised Apple Sauce recipe which was requested. I feel silly calling it a recipe because apple sauce is really just cooked apples – you may add sugar, vanilla, spices (cinnamon or nutmeg) as you wish. And that is it.

Place all your cut up apples in a large pot and cook gently over a low heat. Add whatever you wish, according to taste. I have added sugar to one batch and also processed a batch with just plain apples.

In this particular batch you will find a dash of cane sugar, some cinnamon and a splash of vanilla.

Once your apples are cooked and soft, use a hand immersion blender or a food strainer to puree your apples. And that is it, my friends!

To preserve your apple sauce, ladle sauce into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch head space.

Wipe the rims clean, remove any air bubbles and place your lids on the jars. Process in the water bath canning for 20 minutes (start timing from when the water begins to boil).

Once the time is up, remove jars carefully from your pot and let them cool on your counter for 24 hours. After 24 hours, remove the rings and check for proper seals. Here are a few of the jars finished … the rest of them have already been stashed away neatly into the Provision Room.

P.S. Here is another rose in my day … my inlaws picked up some fresh pears for me (so grateful as I was wanting to preserve some for winter) and I found these adorable potholders at the thrift store …

Aren’t they adorable?

I hope you can find some roses in your day, as well.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:
Isaiah 43;2-3

Around the Home, Canning, Families, Uncategorized

by Gigi

7 comments

October 9, 2018 - 5:15 pm

Gigi – Kristal, good question! You should remove the rings once your canning has sat on the counter for 24 hours. It will help ensure the lid is actually sealed. Rings are just for the processing time.

October 7, 2018 - 12:01 pm

Kristal – Really lovely post GiGi. Always an encouragement! I’m going to sound really silly (at least to me I’m going to sound silly, haha), but can I ask why do some of your cans have rings on them and others do not? I am not a canner (yet), so I really don’t know. Does it matter if the ring is on it? Is it merely for closing the lid on tightly after opening the can? 🙂

October 4, 2018 - 10:18 am

Milessa – Once again you have made me in the mood to can something, applesauce. After putting 1 bushel up, apples in freezer for apple recipes and apple sauce in fridge to eat on for 4 days. I do want to say thank you, because I was not feeling doing apples again so soon. Enjoy the fall. Just a little something to make me smile, I have 2 napkins/dollies left that my moms cousin crocheted Lace edge around material for my wedding present 27 years ago. Thanks for making me smiles this morning.

October 4, 2018 - 6:11 am

Gigi – Yes, Lavender has the sweetest disposition (when she’s not over tired)! 🙂
I know you love a good thrift store visit, as well!

October 3, 2018 - 8:50 pm

Monica – Look at the pretty apple pickers (oh my, little Lavendar just gets to my heart)! So blessed, and great words on complaining and discontentment. I heard someone say tonight to think on only those things that are true. It struck a cord with me bc how many times to i allow my mind to dwell on things that aren’t true, that probably *wont* happen, or that probably isn’t the full picture which causes me to complain or be discontent…it’s easier to grumble about things when we see them all disproportioned.
I love the potholders! Nothing like a successful thrift store haul! 🙂

October 3, 2018 - 5:35 pm

Gigi – Oh, Debby, I am humbled. We are learning this all together … life is a journey, right? We’re not perfect, but if we keep filling our hearts and mind with God’s word, we will soon learn Paul’s secret of contentment.
And I love that you have the same potholders! Aren’t they darling? How special that your mom and grandma made yours! How precious to have those as keepsakes.

October 3, 2018 - 5:24 pm

Debby in Kansas, USA – Gigi, those apples made my mouth water! I had to tell you that I have two sets of the very same red rose potholders! Except one set is pink. My mom made the pink ones and my grandma made the red ones.

I used your quote about filling your heart and mind with encouragement. In my housewife notebook I keep, I keep pages of “Encouragement”. When I need them, I don’t want to go hunting for them. I love that I can just open my notebook and go to a section with about a dozen pages of quotes and where I got them. Yours will be on the next page I complete & print. I hope you don’t mind.

The Season of Autumn

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

“After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once,
“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those
on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens
but just those that bring simple little pleasures,
following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

The Autumn wind is gently blowing through the pine trees that line our driveway … it’s one of my favorite sounds here at home … it reminds me of what Heidi would hear up in her mountain chalet with her Grandfather … so soothing, peaceful and strong. The girls and I have been kite flying in the back field this week – the little ones watched with sheer joy as the coloured kites flew up into the brisk, blue sky.

We are studying Orville and Wilbur Wright and happened to have a windy day. It all just came together – so kite flying took over bits and moments of our afternoons. While reading our book on the Wright brothers, we found it fascinating that kites may be the second oldest “toy” in history (with dolls being the oldest toy). How interesting!

September is a blessed month – the garden needs cleaning up, all harvest brought in (mostly – there are still carrots out there and a few straggling beets) … our sweet feathered friends leave for the South and we now see different birds gracing the tree branches … summer flowers being to fade as the beautiful, vibrant colours of fall begin to appear in the leaves of our trees …

With the last batch of tomatoes, I decided to make a BBQ sauce. Last year, at this same time, I was canning our homemade BBQ sauce the night I went into labour with Loyal. Contrary to what some may think of the night of having a baby, it was a peaceful, beautiful evening. The moon was bright and the sky dark … my husband and I were outside, timing the contractions and working on finishing the sauce … we had oil lamps lit on our outdoor kitchen table and the warm September evening was incredibly peaceful. All the children were tucked into bed … and in my heart, I knew there was an exciting day ahead, Lord willing, for them on the morrow. Indeed, a little baby boy joined our family that night! And while I did not get to finish water bathing all the jars, my memories of this BBQ sauce are fond. 🙂 My mother ended up taking home the last jars and finishing them up for me (thank you, mom!) ….

With that rambling introduction, here is a BBQ sauce, taken from the Keepers at Home magazine:

Homemade BBQ Sauce

32 cups ketchup (2 1 gallon cans if buying)
9 cups brown sugar
6 cups molasses
2 1/2 cups of pineapple juice
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cup of Worcestshire sauce
1 cup ground mustard
1 1/3 cup sea salt
1/2 cup black pepper
1/2 tsp. cayenne (optional!)
3 12 oz. can of tomato paste (optional)

Mix all ingredients together in a large stainless stell pot. Slow boil for an hour to let the sugars caramelize and flavours meld together. Stir occasionally. Pour into jars and water bath for 10 minutes. Makes approximately 12 litres.

We have also been apple picking lately. Oh, does that not just say “Autumn” in it’s finest way?

The girls helped me can apple pie filling (in fact, they made most of it – as I was busy sorting through the Provision Room, organizing the newly filled canning jars on shelves). I am delighted when the girls learn these skills without even realizing it … they are learning without me hovering over them and being too picky … they know if they don’t wipe the jars properly, they won’t seal and they know if they don’t stir the pot, it will burn on the bottom.

All the little things …. they are learning as they help … it’s wonderful ….we have also made applesauce and apple butter. Our lovely neighbour delivered some more seconds (apples that have fallen from the tree) so we will be making some more sauce and canning apple pieces for oatmeal, muffins or cakes.

The recipe is from the Ball website.

Apple Pie Filling – Canned

12 cups sliced peeled cored apples, treated to prevent browning* and drained (about 12 medium)
Water
2-3/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup ClearJel® (cooking starch used for preserving)
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2-1/2 cups unsweetened apple juice
1-1/4 cups cold water
1/2 cup lemon juice
7 Ball®(16 oz) pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands

PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set bands aside.
BLANCH apple slices, working with 6 cups at a time, in a large pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm in a covered bowl.
COMBINE sugar, ClearJel®, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large stainless steel saucepan. Stir in apple juice and cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, and cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice, return to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Drain apple slices and immediately fold into hot mixture. Before processing, heat, stirring, until apples are heated through.
LADLE hot apple pie filling into hot jars leaving 1 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.
PROCESS jars in a boiling water canner for 25 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

I have many thoughts swirling around my head for some posts, but I just need some time to sort it all out. Thank you for reading and showing encouragement. I am so grateful.
Have a beautiful September day.

Around the Home, Canning, Uncategorized

by Gigi

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