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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Prepare for the worst, hope for best

"Nobody knows what will happen," Pa said. 
"Prepare for the worst and then you've some grounds to hope for the best, that's all you can do."

   First thought I'd share last night's sunset, framed by our casement windows. As part of the re-do of our fixer upper home, Hubby took out the old windows back to the brick in order to install new windows, as opposed to replacement windows. Only regret? That they are not TRIPLE paned, only double paned. Otherwise, love, LOVE these windows, so very easy to clean.
   Okay, mostly I read non-fiction, and for the record, my all-time favorite novel to re-read is Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice.
   But right now I'm re-reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. Yeah, I know it's juvenile fiction, but the can-do spirit of those books never fails to spur me to greater action. And while in the middle of reading her novel, The Long Winter, where the little Ingalls family nearly froze and nearly starved through seven long months of blizzards, I was spurred to clean out our pantry, as I wondered how we'd manage through such a winter.
   Since learning that the BPA (bisphenol-A) plastic lining in most canned goods actually LEACHES INTO THE FOOD stored in them over time, I have stopped buying up cans for long term storage. But while looking for alternatives in glass containers, we've been eating our way through the foods already stockpiled.
   And while waiting for our FDA to catch up to the science on this issue (not to mention the many other countries that have already banned BPA), I'll be buying only enough canned goods that I can use up quickly. Getting harder to save by stockpiling these days. *SIGH*
   No need to get discouraged though. This BPA business is just one more reason for me to learn how to can & put up more fresh, organically grown produce from our own garden. Surely I can learn to can and preserve something other than freezer jam & frozen chopped peppers. Surely!
   Hopefully by next winter I'll be able to show off a pantry filled to the brim with beautiful jars filled with our garden's bounty.
   I'm sure I'll be visiting many of your blogs for ideas, so wish me luck!

7 comments:

becky3086 said...

Learning how to can, freeze and dehydrate thinga are definitely great skills to have.

Practical Parsimony said...

I have my eye on a dehydrator that is sooooo expensive. The BPA worries me, too. The dehydrator should take care of many items of food. Then, I have a water bath canner also have pressure canner and use both. Now, if someone will just please give me the energy to run them...lol. I am afraid of my mandoline. Maybe I can get someone to do the slicing of fruits. I want to dehydrate eggs!

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

That is one organized pantry! It's comforting to be prepared for anything. :0)

Ashley W said...

Ha! How funny that I am also reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and am going to be plunging into the world of Canning and Preserving this year with my own garden (fingers crossed) an adventure indeed!
I could recommend a book that I was gifted for Christmas, "Put Em Up" by Sherri Brooks Vinton. I have been reading through it. Lovely photos, good recipes and every question answered!

Dmarie said...

@becky, couldn't agree more!
@Practical, we have a dehydrator...Hubby uses it mostly for venison jerky. will have to remember it as an option come harvest. thx!
@Spicy,thx!
@Ashley, thx, will look that up & maybe we'll learn together!

Lynda said...

Canning is terrific...I love it. A word of advice...start buying your jars now...a bit at a time...otherwise the cost will cause you to have a coronary. I invested in Tattler lids last year: that was my big expence...hopefully I won't have any BIG ones this year. Visit my blog for lots of pictures of last year's mega canning marathons: over 400 pounds of tomatoes!

Ohiofarmgirl said...

sure you can can! do you know about this site:
http://www.pickyourown.org/canningdriedbeans.htm

i used to be afraid of my pressure canner - now we are best friends.

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