Oh the joys of the harvest

From reading the title you would think that I was pioneer enjoying a first crop or at least a farmer whose livelihood depends on a good growing season. So maybe the title is a bit sappy but I was feeling a bit sentimental today. Olivia and I headed out back with a milk crate to see what was in the garden. We got yellow and red tomatoes, green and yellow squash, and picked the rest of my peaches, started picking the first nectarines and ate some blackberries right off the vine. All this was done in our pajamas. We also have a huge grapevine that feeds all of the neighborhood kids after school (and many of you know I sometimes have at least 9 extra kids running in and out of the house on any given day).

After reaping our bounteous mornings harvest (it took like 30 minutes) I got the canning bug. I only did 3 quarts of tomatoes and 2 pints of the nectarines but while I was peeling all of that I got to thinking about what I always think of when I am doing something extremely domestic. I was thinking about all of my ancestors before me. All of the Campbell and Davis and Pickett women who really did have to can to survive the winter and crossed the plains to settle this valley over 150 years ago. Then I started thinking about what life was like for women back in the really old days. How canning, quilting and bread making were daily chores. And yet many of these women turned it into an art (note my red and yellow tomatoes sharing a jar in a harmony of colors).

I don't know, I guess I get all nostalgic and grateful for all of the hard work of generations past. And maybe my canning and domesticity are a way of paying tribute to the past. I know it is a way of carrying on tradition. I am big believer in tradition nad heritage. I hope that as small as my "crop" is that the generations gone by are a bit pleased to see someone still doing it the old fashioned way. I hope my family appreciates it as much as I do the taste of homegrown food in the dead of winter.

I may as well tell you all now (no not pregnant...heaven forbid I EVER have to make that announcement again!) that I am on a mission to grind my own wheat flour and make my own wheat bread. I have tons of wheat in my basement because that is what Mormons do. I know how to make pancakes from it but that is it. However I have been on a health kick and have recently been to the most amazing store called Honeyville Grain. Those of you in my area (Cara, Avree, Mel Linda etc.) need to go.
That combined with amazingly good results of mine and JaDee's cholesterol has inspired me to keep up the good work and maybe do better. Thus my urge to go natural and at least try to make my own bread like the little red hen!