If you are wondering if I've been keeping up with my own family as well as items to sell, I have on some things, but not so much on jelly and jam. We go through many jars during the winter, due to kids packing school lunches.
I canned 2 batches (6 pints and 4 1/2) pints of blueberry jelly, but that's not enough for my family for the winter. These jars will be gone all too soon. I am told now, that they prefer blueberry over grape. This year I was lucky to get 20 lbs. of blueberries this late. They are out mid-July around here, and next year I will have to be more prepared. We really need double that amount.
I blanched and froze 3 quart bags of tomatoes, with the help of my 15 year-old.
Canned 20 - 1/2 pint jars of Peach Jam.
Canned 4 more pints of Sweet Pickle Relish.
Canned 6 pints of our first canned salsa. The last two years I have made "fridge" salsa. This recipe was the Jalapeno Salsa recipe from Ball's recipe book. Instead of 3 cups jalapeno peppers, I mixed 1/2 cup jalapeno with 2 1/2 cups green bell peppers (2 varieties). Uh, I'm gonna need to plant more onions next year, and larger ones. I still need to can sauce and I'm running low already.
Dehydrated more garden potatoes. These were sliced this time. It was suggested to put a coffee filter between the jar and the lid for storing them in jars.
Canned another 12 pints of blueberry jelly.
I need to go out before it rains, and cut more oregano to dry. I am using it in my canned salsa and seasoned tomato sauce.
I know you are all probably tired from reading our updates, but I know it will pay off over winter. I'll try to relax some today, and post a less tiring blog post. My son said to me yesterday, "Are you ever going to catch a break Mom?"