It happens sometimes. I just sort of back out of here slowly, hoping no one will notice the stagnant blog void. But, you do, and I get the sweetest emails from concerned peeps who wonder. So I just want to say, thank you for caring, and for the blogaversary wishes too. Those years went by so fast! I'm always so grateful for those of you who still stop by here to visit my little corner of the blogasphere, even when I'm off on a ramble. These past few weeks have been incredibly busy as summer winds down and the garden output ramps up.
Where have I been? I've been canning pickles! With the cucumbers from our garden this time (recipe here). And turning wild blackberries into jam,. And generally filling pantry shelves. Because it is a tragic heartbreak to run out of homemade pickles and sweet jammy goodness in the middle of winter. (As we sadly discovered one time, and it wasn't pretty.)
The other day, as I was standing in line at the store someone observed me buying more jam jars and suggested I make freezer jam instead of, “going to all the trouble”. I smiled politely, not bothering to differ as this seems to be the mainstream hurry-up attitude about life in general. But in my mind, I was thinking, Of course I know freezer jam is a no-brainer; if you don’t mind using plastic containers for long-term food storage (something I worry about); and convenient if you have extra space in your freezer (which I don't), and additionally, own a back-up power generator when the electricity goes out during stormy weather (as it inevitably does here.) Oh, we do have our reasons for going to all the trouble.
And something else wonderful happens. When I allow myself to relax during these long tasks--everything slows down. Time actually seems to expand. My daughters are usually gathered around and helping. They open up, share things. I listen. We take turns stirring the pot and filling jars. There’s a rhythm to the day that develops and bonds are made. A sticky sweet bond! Not just jam, but memories in the making.
The pantry got a make-over too, with the addition of cute wallpaper (from Waverly), that I bought a few years back and never got around to putting up. Well, I finally did and I love it, just as I knew I would. It's quaint and homey with little images scattered about bringing to mind 'peace and plenty'. Perfect!
