Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[tdhenson86]

Well, I can't remember if it was on this thread, or not... BUT I posted that I had hit the free motherload with blueberries earlier this week. There is a blueberry field just on the corner, and the farmer was turning to come down my road and lost several crates off his truck. He picked up the crates and left the blueberries, because they hit the ground, so now no good. His loss... Expensive loss, poor guy. Anyway, the neighbor across the street, myself, the neighbor nest to me with the chickens, and several residents from the apartments across the street and down a bit made shrift work of those blueberries.

I picked up 5 meijer bags of the berries. Gave a bag to my sister, a bag to my friend from work, and made 5 16oz jars of blueberry jam, one 8 oz jar and froze 2 gallons. I still have one bag to clean and pick through that I am going to make pie and more jam out of. Now... about the jam. I have never made jam before, wow, was that easy. I have never canned either, though last year I did want too, but people were constantly stealing my produce and between that and what we consumed, never got to can anything. Well, I canned for the first time and YEAH! I am happy with myself. Sweet.

The jam, by the way, is really good. I did a spoon test before jarring it, and it set perfect!

That's awesome! I grew up on a small farm where we can everything. Blueberries tend to set for jam better than any other fruit I know. Once, my mom even forgot to add the pectin and the jam still set with no problem.

Congrats on all the blueberries and your newfound jam making abilities.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Very nice photos.
You can help protect your pond by running string or fishing line over the pond.

Oh, I did not mind that he was here. I enjoyed the show.

Beautiful indeed. I want to know- how did you get him to pose like that?!

My pic is not nearly as nice, but I found the subject matter cool. While I was away, I saw this nest near Garden, MI (Upper Peninsula) I thought I saw 3 huge babies in that nest. I showed this pic to a US Forestry Ranger, and she identified it as an Osprey. ...Which I don't think I've ever seen before.

I like your photo too. I did not "get him to pose". I just watched out the front door and the bathroom window. I am surprised that the pics came out as I really need to wash my windows

Sitting for my four beautiful grand girls today. It's going to be a busy day!

Oh, sounds like lots of fun!

Just keep Mr. Great Blue Heron away from any chicks, I'm sure he'd find them a nice snack after the frogs.

I don't have any chickens

Well, I can't remember if it was on this thread, or not... BUT I posted that I had hit the free motherload with blueberries earlier this week. There is a blueberry field just on the corner, and the farmer was turning to come down my road and lost several crates off his truck. He picked up the crates and left the blueberries, because they hit the ground, so now no good. His loss... Expensive loss, poor guy. Anyway, the neighbor across the street, myself, the neighbor nest to me with the chickens, and several residents from the apartments across the street and down a bit made shrift work of those blueberries.

I picked up 5 meijer bags of the berries. Gave a bag to my sister, a bag to my friend from work, and made 5 16oz jars of blueberry jam, one 8 oz jar and froze 2 gallons. I still have one bag to clean and pick through that I am going to make pie and more jam out of. Now... about the jam. I have never made jam before, wow, was that easy. I have never canned either, though last year I did want too, but people were constantly stealing my produce and between that and what we consumed, never got to can anything. Well, I canned for the first time and YEAH! I am happy with myself. Sweet.

The jam, by the way, is really good. I did a spoon test before jarring it, and it set perfect!

Oh wow! That is really wonderful. I make a spiced blueberry peach jam, it's my DH's favorite.

There is a thread on here called "What are you canning now" that I check out quite often.

Welcome to all the new members!

 

[NovaAman]

That's awesome! I grew up on a small farm where we can everything. Blueberries tend to set for jam better than any other fruit I know. Once, my mom even forgot to add the pectin and the jam still set with no problem.

Congrats on all the blueberries and your newfound jam making abilities.

BBB has a recipe in it that is just blueberrys and sugar. That's it.

I was looking on line at presure cookers, and looking with in my budget, I see the Presto Pressure Cooker... Anyone have one? Looking that the 23qt one, looked at the manual online as well, and it say's its good for canning meat/meals. My mom told me to not get a pressure cooker cuz they can blow up, and just to can things that I can do with water bath. I told her I want to be able to do EVERYTHING. She used to just pickle everything...even the beans and carrots. Ick. and never did meats or potatoes. If I am going to can, I want to can more than jams, jellys, fruits and pickled items... SO, back to the pressure cooker, does any one have the presto?

 

[NovaAman]

I am going to try a cinnimon...why can't I spell that... blueberry jam tomorrow. I say a recipe for blueberry lime jam too. That sounds interesting.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Nova, I remember reading on the canning thread that some folks have the presto pressure and they are happy with it. I was lucky this past Christmas and my sister and kids all pitched in together and got me an All American. I just recently did some beef stew and it turned out great. It's makes a quick meal for those times when I am either in a hurry or too "sick" to cook.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I think my PCooker is a Presto. Hard size (8qt i think) to find replacement seals for tho. Works great but never canned in it. I think the blowing up is an old wive's tale... As long as the release valves are functioning properly *and* you properly cool your dish before you try to open it, you're fine. Boil over is a concern however, but again, cooling reduces/eliminates that risk.

I'm thinking about making zucchini relish and pickles for the freezer.

 

[preciouskitty]

BBB has a recipe in it that is just blueberrys and sugar. That's it.

I was looking on line at presure cookers, and looking with in my budget, I see the Presto Pressure Cooker... Anyone have one? Looking that the 23qt one, looked at the manual online as well, and it say's its good for canning meat/meals. My mom told me to not get a pressure cooker cuz they can blow up, and just to can things that I can do with water bath. I told her I want to be able to do EVERYTHING. She used to just pickle everything...even the beans and carrots. Ick. and never did meats or potatoes. If I am going to can, I want to can more than jams, jellys, fruits and pickled items... SO, back to the pressure cooker, does any one have the presto?

Nova,
My first PC was the 23 qt Presto. It is awesome (replacement parts are easy to find for the 23 qt...got my new seal at local hardware store ). I bought it cuz I wasn't ready to shell out the coin for the All American before I was sure that I would really get into canning. (Got the 21 1/2 qt AA for sale on amazon for $175 last Oct....right now the best price I see is $200 on the All American site).
IF you can swing an AA, you can pass it down for generations; BUT, I still use my Presto, too.

Blowing up. Yeah, I had that fear. If you read all the directions & pay attention, nothing is gonna blow up (well, I have heard of jars breaking inside, but it has never happened to me). The Presto has a safety plug that'll blow if pressure gets too high AND a safety latch that won't even let you take the lid off til the pressure is back down to zero.

Also, the Presto is nowhere near as heavy as the AA. I also found it just a tad easier to use with the dial gauge vs. AA's weighted.

Bottomline: if that is what your budget allows, I highly recommend the Presto. I think you will be more than happy with it AND all the yummy canned goods that will quickly begin to fill your pantry

PS: fresh blueberry pie is my FAVORITE!!

 

[nluoma]

Morning everyone!
Just sitting here drinking my coffee and listening to my big roo teach my bantam roo to crow. First a big, full cock-a-doodle-do, then this tiny little awk a awk ooo.
What a way to start the day.

 

[RTFchickens]

Awesome awesome awesome! One more thing I have in common with you guys, canning!
Great job on the blueberry find! I find that things taste better when they are free! We have pressure canned meat and soup and such in the past, but usually do jam in a "water bath" in a big pot.
I make homemade yogurt and put the homemade "jam" in the yogurt. When I make the "jam" for yogurt, I don't crush my fruit. It still cooks down a bit, but its not all combined like jam. It's more chunky.
I have an heirloom Greek yogurt starter if anyone would like some, pm me and I would be happy to share. One starter keeps culturing for a lifetime, you just have to make it every week...

 

[Opa]

I've decided that I've got way too many chickens and I will be cull older hens from my layer flock as well as my bantam blue orpingtons unless someone comes to the rescue. Beautiful birds absolutely free for the taking.