::learning to can::

I have always wanted to learn to can, but was intimidated by the process.  I started off the canning season by spending a day helping Jamie can salsa.  She taught me the basics and helped me get a better understanding.  

I have had such a great year in my garden that I couldn't let all those tomatoes go to waste.  After getting my first canning lesson, I decided to toughen up and get myself going.  

The first thing I canned was tomato paste.  All jars sealed!!!

That got me going and I was ready to try some other things.  

I didn't have a canning wrack, so I read up about how to make one from extra lids.  

It's worked perfectly, but I will invest the $25 to buy one. 

This season I have canned; tomato juice, paste, diced, and marinara sauce. I am making plans to convert our unusable old basement into a storage area for canned produce and a root cellar.  

I still have hope of canning more juice and sauce this year.

I am really enjoying canning, it suits my hippy heart.     

::schaefer cabin trip july 2020::

In July we loaded up and went on a full Schaefer family vacation. 

We rented a large house in Gaitlinburg.  COVID was still a very real scare but we tried hard to not be in crowds and stay home for most meals.  

The boys had an awesome bunk room.  

This was our first store trip!

All the snacks.  

Lily spent so much time playing guitar. 

Off on our adventures.  

This cracked us up every time.  

At a flea market we met this wood burner that I bought some art from.  

I got the greatest pink cake plate.  

Lily got a guitar.  She was so surprised.