canning

After enduring 3 cold winters in Central Asia, we have learned something...the importance of canning! There is little more available in the bazars than potatoes, carrots, onions, and beets. This summer I (Jen) have been busy every few weekends with canning jam, spaghetti sauce (no Prego here, baby!), and salsa. Ella is a great helper so during these days of canning she was a big helper to Mommy! Here she is with the finished products, clockwise from Ella: spaghetti sauce, strawberry jam, raspberry jam, plum jam, and salsa.

Growing up, I remember my Mom doing plenty of canning in the summer time as well. One thing I will never forget is how she would pick the final product up (peaches in particular) and and admire it a little bit and say, "Isn't it pretty?" I have to admit, it does bring one satisfaction to see the final "pretty" product after the hours of labor one puts into it. Here is a closer look at a few....
postscript: After taking these pictures, Ella picked up a small jar of salsa and promptly dropped it on the tile. One less jar for winter. O well.