Washingtonians

[weaveagarden]

I'm just nosey. I was hoping for canning. I wish I were doing that right now. I would love to have some home canned things in the cupboard. I keep saying next year. Here I go again. I think I am going to get a little bit of pineapple preserves done, only because I plan them as a gift.

 

[weaveagarden]

I have never done it solo. But, if I lose my nerve, maybe my mom can come along and give us a lesson together. She has done it for years.... Less now, but I have helped her can all kinds of fruit and veg. Also pickles and pickled veggies. Jams, and even salmon and chicken. It is amazing how much better they are than store bought. And you can also add the herbs and spices that you would use if cooking from fresh.... So they are better tasting as additives to dishes, like cassaroles, etc.

It is a date!

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
I am so there!

 

[Kittymomma]

Woohooo! I made it back online!!!

I do a lot of canning. I haven't done pickles solo--used to do them with grandma when I was a kid, but I do lots of other stuff. I canned some elk and smoked fish last week. Jam is super easy for anybody just starting out, you don't need anything but jars, lids, and either a water bath or dishwasher. I'd be happy to help anyone that wants to learn.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
Don't be scared jump right in and do it. I finally did a little this year for the first time. I canned tomatoes, made freezer jam and will be making regular jam soon, froze apples for baking and froze green beans. I don't like store bought frozen beans but with the recipiethe neighbor gave me they are way better than store or canned. I got advice from neighbor but she wasn't up to help when I was canning tomatos at 3:00 am so I just winged it and they turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. And the DW likes all of what I have done, she is not able to safely do this.

 

[weaveagarden]

Glad you are back KittyMomma

Looking forward to meeting the duck tomorrow. I will get info to the kids in the AM. I will see that the crate makes it back to you in the near future. The way things are going, it may have a Roo inside when it returns.

Nyrial, I think Kittymomma may be able to give Pinky a home. I will keep you in mind in case he doesn't work out with her flock. Thanks for the offer.

 

[justbugged]

I love making jam.

The only store bought jam i have bought in the last 27 years is a little bit of orange marmalade. That's because I really love King Kelly's Marmalade, and I am still working on the right recipe for it.

I don't make much jam any more, because it's just the 2 of us, and we eat very little jam anymore. I put up some of the tomatoes this year, but I just froze them. It was easier to do that that, than can just two jars.

I loved going over to Yakima and the Valley in past years. I would buy boxes of peaches, pears, and apricots. The kids and I would always eat them up. I love the pepper farm over in Wapato the best. I hope you all can find it. Now I just don't think it's worth the effort to can for myself and a DH at is home only on weekends.

It sure sounds like fun if you could all get together and work at canning some great homemade food.

I have to brag.

I got my first Welsummer egg today. I was really surprised. I didn't expect any of them to lay before next spring. She laid it out in the run, so I am hoping that she will get smarter over the next few days and start laying in the nesting boxes. I got pictures so I just have to share.

So now I think I have 13 laying hens out there in the coop.

The most eggs I have gotten in a day is still just 7, so I am still hoping that I will see more eggs yet. But I have to consider the season, and I know the girls are doing the best that they can. On the other hand I have 4 dozens eggs in the refrigerator, and that's after I gave away a dozen to one of the neighbors. I need to find out if I can donate them to the Senior Center in town.

 

[rainplace]

I think it's age and having just finished their molt. They are just now coming of age. They were born in early June. It's possible they will wait to lay their first eggs till it gets warmer. However four of my runners are production runners meaning they were bred to lay year round.

 

[weaveagarden]

Well, I am dreaming of eggs for Christmas (if not before) for you.

I have my son and dil coming down today for our holiday together. We will go out to dinner later, but just hang and talk today. I can't wait until they get here.

 

[chookchick]

Justbugged--that is a beautiful egg! Where did you get your Welsummers? and Cuckoo marans for that matter? It will be interesting to see if it starts to become more of an even all-over dark brown over time. And it looks pretty good-sized also!