Sunday, September 2, 2007

Crazy Eights


So, between Friday and Saturday I canned 80 quarts of peaches. Canning is such a daunting process but it is so much more fun when you have help. This was my first attempt at canning peaches- I hope those internet directions work. And you're laughing because you think I'm kidding?


Saturday morning I arose early (5:30 to be exact) so Jess and I could get our 8 mile run in before I had to teach piano lessons and finish my canning project. Seriously, who gets up early on a Saturday to run... that would be the same sucker who vows never to teach piano on Saturday mornings and keeps doing it!!

I blanched, peeled, pitted, sliced, sugared, lemon juiced, watered, and sealed all the live long day. I was dead tired, but I put in the last jars to be processed at 4pm and Jeremy took over so I could catch a short nap before we went out. I was so tired, but we haven't been out in a while so I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity.

We went to dinner where I 8 (I'm such a geek) too much, but seriously is there such a thing as too much Snow Shrimp? I don't think so. Then we finally went to see Harry Potter... I know we probably are the last people in the country to see it! It was good and makes me excited to get back to finishing #7... J.K. you should have quit at 8 to stick with my theme.

PS... this is post 200!! Amazing that you all have stuck around so long.

19 comments:

Melissa said...

80??!? Holy smokes girl! You are the canning queen! We canned peaches and pears when we lived in Oregon... soooo good! Of course, half of the peaches never even made it into the bottles :) Now they are just too darn expensive to buy and it's too hot to can. Never thought I'd say that I miss canning, but I kinda do.... how weird am I??
Oh, and we still haven't seen Harry Potter #5 :(

tharker said...

I can't believe that you canned 80 jars! That's so awesome Heather! Now I fully expect a peach crisp on my doorstep sometime this fall! Just kidding, I'll bring you one instead!

I'm only up to 150ish posts. I'm so impressed with your 200!

JustRandi said...

80? I can't even picture it. And this weekend you're doing tomatoes too?
You're Wonder Woman!

goddessdivine said...

You are a canning fool! You go girl. I've never canned one thing in my entire life.

And yay for 200 posts!

Kristy said...

Once again you amaze me with your domestic abilities. I used to help my mom can just about everything. Fun memories! Now I need her to actually teach me so I can do it on my own.
Seriously...eight miles!? You are awsome.

Sarah said...

Heather you are like Martha Stewart and Lance Armstrong all rolled into one. Where do ou get your energy from?

Marilyn said...

1. I have never really canned before.
2. 80 cans? That is a crazy amount of peaches.
3. 5:30am? You and my husband should talk.
4. Too much snow shrimp? never
5. You can't be the last person to see Harry Potter...because I must be.
6. You are the Domestic Goddess of Pasco, or at least giving Phyllis a run for her money.
7. Congrats on your 200th post.
8. Where DO you get all of this energy?

Jessica said...

You are truly my hero! Cause I must add that with all that you baby-sit too! You must teach me how to manage my time better!

Chele said...

Truly are one in a million. SO how long does it take you to run eight miles. Good job on the peaches. It is fun and they test a lot better then the ones that you can buy at the store.

Lacey said...

80 quarts all by your self is truly amazing! I thought I was doing good with 130, but I had LOTS of help! The word of wisdom must be working well for you to run 8 miles and not faint!

PRP said...

Seriously, just when I start thinking I'm cool, you go off and do something else AMAZING.

Pisses me off.

Just kidding. You are amazing! Peaches and running and movies, oh my!

shoeaddict said...

I'd love to be able to can. I never have. And I couldn't run for 8 minutes!!!


Congrats on your 200th post!

lindsay>boo said...

Count me in on the list of people amazed! 80 jars, running, and a fun date in one day! Impressive.

Lee said...

Oh.. congrats on #200.. I just hit mine today. I can't believe you canned so much. that is crazy. I buy mine in cans at Costco. I am a heathen I know. But dangit it is easy. You are doing awesome running. 8 miles.. very impressive. You are one busy talented girl. My Saturday was spent behind my camera all.day.long.

meohmyers said...

Maybe we should have you teach a class on canning instead of cake decorating! Or maybe both! How about if you just take charge of Enrichment and teach a class on running, and getting in shape, too! We can stick in some piano lessons, toddler sign language. It can be an All About Heather and Her Amazing Abilities Night!! Sounds good to me! You really are amazing.

Kris said...

Way to go Heather. That is a lot of stuff to accomplish in one day! I do like to can, and peaches, they are soo messy, but there is nothing more satisfying than seeing all those jars sealed and ready for your food storage! Great job and send some of that energy over my way!!

The Garden Maiden said...

You are an inspiration! Everyone I knows who runs has extra energy so there must be something to it. The real payoff with canning comes on a cold winter day in January and you open a can of your home canned beautiful sunny August peaches and get a bit of summer and sunshine in a bowl. Can I say again you are inspiring?

hatch said...

You really do impress me with all of your awesome abilities. I have 50lbs of peaches staring me down that I need to can as we speak. I usually am excited to can peaches,(or at least done and in my food storage) but this year I can not get to into it.

Elizabeth said...

Yay for 200!

And 80 quarts of peaches...that is awesome! Doesn't it feel good to stock those up on the shelf? Wow...I am impressed!