Sunday, August 17, 2008

Domestic Goddess~~

...sewing...knitting...cooking...canning/preserving...etc.
That's me...out of necessity!

Most already know I grew up such a tom-boy that the idea of seeing me doing "domestic work" is probably pretty amazing, if you had known me back then. I've learned these "crafts" over the years out of necessity.



My Granny started me out very young...and my Mom did her part by sending me to "sewing lessons" when I was 11. When times were lean I sewed for the kids and myself to make sure we all had something new to wear on occasions. My grandparents always had a huge garden so we didn't have to worry about missing out on the summer harvest...until now. They've been gone for several years now, so I buy my produce at our local farmers market. With grocery prices going up I'm using this past knowledge to "squirrel-up" for the winter. I've frozen peaches, blueberries & corn. Made jams & "experimental" bread & butter pickles.



Experimental because I expanded on something my Granny used to do with her yellow squash & zucchini. I'll let you know how they turn out! I have orders placed with my "favorite farm" for some green beans to can. Who knows what else might strike my fancy in the coming weeks!

Don't get me wrong, I love doing this...I just hate cleaning up after myself!



I have also been busy with my Ravelympics project -- Nicole



Not sure that I'll be crossing the finish line though, 6 days and counting...I would really like to wear it at the beach in a few weeks!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

10 comments:

JustApril said...

Canning is cool - we used to do that when I was growing up and we had a garden which produced WAY more than we could use in any given Summer/Fall Harvest thing =) Your stuff turned out so pretty, too.

Very nice knitting, too, very very pretty - is it cotton?

Dani said...

Oooooh, your pickles look so good!

Firefly Nights said...

I see you freeze blueberries and peaches. You'll probably think this is a dumb question, but other than slicing the peaches, do you have to do anything to either fruit other than washing, drying, and putting them in freezer bags? I've been thinking about freezing some of each and you seem to be a good person to ask.

Aunt Kathy said...

I love bread and butter pickles. I never learned how to can or jar food, Bummer

gourdongirl said...

Bread and butter pickles sound interesting. I've never done anything like that but my mum did. I love the knitting too. Looks really cool.

Anonymous said...

You have been so productive. I wish we had a local farmer's market. It is such a good idea to do this. I grow my own, but don't often have lots left over to freeze or preserve. Although we've planted new fruit trees so that might change over the next few years.

Anita said...

Oh, I love canning! I haven't done it in a couple of years... I need to do a few this year. :) I've put all kinds of stuff in my Bread N Butter jars, cukes, peppers, squash, onions.... it's all good!

Bubblesknits said...

I'd love to learn how to can. Although, it'd help if I had a garden to get fresh veggies from first. lol

Nana Sadie said...

Canning does make a big mess, but it's worthwhile, in cold January/February, huh?
(((hugs)))

Mindy said...

I really, really want to learn to can. And to make homemade jellies. Both my grandmothers were avid canners.

The only green beans I'll eat are home-canned.