Hey, I’m not writing during August. (See below.) Look what I did instead!

My mother planted a huge garden this year and then went off to Seattle to visit my brother, leaving tomatoes dropping on the ground. So, rather than watching them rot, I canned them. I’ve helped my mother can all my life, but this is the first time (at the age of 38) that I’ve ever done it all by myself.

This must be how Emily (now six) feels when she manages to get her own hair into ponytails.

This not-writing thing is quite a lot of fun. I’ve canned tomatoes, started on Niall Ferguson’s The War of the World, gone exploring on my morning runs (instead of pelting around my set course and coming straight back), weeded the garden, and slept in.

Oh, and by the way…they’re BAAACK.

Showing 6 comments
  • angela

    Hi Susan. Just heard your on line conference about writing. You had to rush off at the end because of time… just wanted to say thank you. It was very helpful:o) I hope you know just how inspiring you are to the many home school moms out here. I am grateful for all the hard work you’ve done that has made home schooling our children easier for us.

  • Sylvia

    I read your post after having just finished a batch of peach ginger preserves–I finally discovered how simple jam is–also at age 38. Our tomatoes won’t be dropping from the vines for another four to six weeks, though, and my husband will have to can those–the processing time is too long for me. I need projects that can be completed in the time of one nap (not mine, alas). I don’t know why it is so fun to read about your vacation, but I’m glad you’re sharing. It reminds me I have something to look forward to when the little ones are not so little. Thanks!

  • shanmar

    Good job on the tomatoes. I’m too much of a wimp to can things; if I do manage to grow something, I just freeze it. I enjoyed what I heard of your talk today. First I had to take my newly 14 yo to get his permit, causing me to miss the first half hour. Then, my sound petered out the last 20 minutes. I was glad I had heard most of it before. Thanks for sharing, again.

  • Melissa

    I would like to add my thanks as well. That is, for the online conference. I found it very helpful.
    Have fun preserving!!!

  • mary kathryn

    Well, I missed that online conference – phooey!
    I noticed you use the upside-down method for canning. I’ve used that for years for jams, but didn’t know it worked well for tomatoes. I read online that it was dangerous, could cause sealing failure, germs, etc. I’ve never had trouble with it! If I had to put everything in a water bath, I think I wouldn’t can at all!

    Glad you’re enjoying your vacation. Don’t forget to eat chocolate.

  • mel moore

    wheee! my favorite part of our canning process remains squishing the tomato goo int othe cans until it oozed out of the top 🙂

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