Homemaking Mondays: Broadening My Canning Horizons

Hello! 

Today I would love to show you

some of what I have been learning over the past year.

As the snow falls softly outside 

I have tucked yet another item into my pantry

as I have been

broadening my canning horizons. 

I have always loved to see rows of mason jars 

full of delightful colourful things. 

I have been canning jam for quite a long time,

 relish and salsa for not as long. 

I wanted to see what else I could put up in my pantry

for the cold days of winter. 

Today I tucked in some pressure canned beef stew 

to my pantry shelves as the newest addition

to my canning journey.

I really wanted to have some meals put away 

for days that we are rushed or 

not feeling up to cooking.

 

Then this year I also learned to can chicken.

I canned up some pint jars because they are the perfect

size to make a pot of chicken noodle soup. 

The chicken pared with some canned bone broth

and some canned carrots is perfect.

Throw in some noodles and 

you have a hearty meal for the whole family.

This  year I also learned to can 

roasted tomato soup. 

It is so delicious and next year I want to 

can a lot more of it.

I also learned to can pears.

Well....I do have a bit of learning left as you can see

my pears ended up floating.

I canned quart jars of carrots for meals,

and pint jars of carrots to go into soups.

I learned a new salsa recipe 

and it's delicious with chips 

or put into a meal. 

I like to mix a pan of chicken with a

jar of salsa and then put it into 

tortilla wraps with some cheese. 

So..just thought I'd share that as I was puttering in my pantry today.

This past week has been full of wonderful 

outdoor activities.

My boys have been working on building a snow castle

at the local community centre.

We had a nice break partway through our first day

and enjoyed some frozen M&M's on a "couch"

my son had chiseled out.

We've been meeting other homeschool families for outdoor 

skating at the rink.

The one day I forgot to bring my skates but enjoyed staying 

close to the wood stove.

I sure miss the feel of wood heat at home. 

~So this is a nice treat! 

Our community centre is hosting Saturday Family Fun Days.

We were able to borrow some skis for the winter,

and then get a ski lesson.  

Our family has never been cross country skiing together 

and so a couple lovely young ski coaches 

gave us a private lesson. 

I was so impressed with how well the children did for their first time

and it was really fun. 

SO now as the snow is falling outside 

and the children finish up their lessons for the morning

I shall make some lunch and then 

settle down for some knitting. 

Thanks for dropping by! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer