Learning to can......

So, I wrote a while back about buying a canner and teaching myself to can. Well, I guess I didn't really NEED the canner. I've only water bathed so far but I WILL pressure can something soon. I think....... I'm building up to that.

This is what I have done so far.

I have grape jelly, apple jelly, hot pepper jelly, watermelon jelly, vinegar pickles, banana pepper rings and jalapeno pepper rings.

The grape jelly and apple jelly, I made from frozen juice concentrate but all the other stuff is fresh from the garden. Well, I didn't grow the watermelon(mine didn't come out this year), but my neighbor did! Aren't those shiny jars just beautiful? I have to say that the watermelon jelly is so good I want to eat it right out of the jar with a spoon. It's quickly becoming a famous item in Lacassine, La. lol

I was so nervous making my first couple of batches but I've relaxed and it's becoming quite fun. I really, really enjoy it. Even if you do just a few jars a day it really adds up. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to learn such an important skill. I mean, really, it's just jelly and pickles but it kinda goes deeper than that.

Today I have to deal with this......

But, I'm not complaining. I'm very blessed to have it to deal with. I love not having to buy peppers from the store. I just have to decide what to do with them. Can them, freeze them or dehydrate them?