The End of One Season and On to Another....

With the first of September tomorrow, this month brings an end to the farmer's markets I attend.  Easton Farmer's Market will be held just two more Thursdays, the fifth and the twelfth. I had an amazing time each Thursday I was there.  I LOVE the atmosphere.  The water park in the middle of the square with the families playing and relaxing in the lawn. the music that is played to "drown out" the traffic noise.  It makes each evening a fun and different experience.

The New Concord Farmer's Market will hold it's last session on the 28th which is the last Saturday of the month. Lots of time to still get fresh made apple butter, fresh baked goods and fall produce.  Even though we have had some rainy days, the sunny days made up for it and we had lots of people attend and purchase amazing tomatoes, potatoes, rhurbarb, freshly baked pies and some Joyful Jars!

So with the end of Farmer's Market season, so begins Bazaar/Craft Show season.  I have lots of ideas for cute baskets, many themed for the holidays. What is easier than picking up a package ready to give? Fall favorites and Winter themed goodies will be back on the stove for processing.

Speaking of processing, look at those beautiful organic pears I purchased the other week.  Oh they were wonderful and sweet!  They became wonderful Vanilla Pear Butter, Cran-Pear-ry Jam, Pear Jam and a few jars of a special Vanilla Caramel Pear Sauce.  YUMM.
I love using good, local produce that I know hasn't been altered with sprays and etc.  I have had bushels of organic apples, peaches that have turned into delicious flavors of jams and butters.

Back to work.  Spiked Apple Jelly is needing my attention.

August??

A picture of my coneflowers from my garden.  I love flowers and my flower gardens,  even though they get somewhat neglected with my canning business now.

My kitchen looks like a produce department at the local grocery store! I've had tomatoes, zucchini, onions, plums, peaches, apples, peppers, hot peppers, cucumbers tucked in boxes, bags and whatever else so I can to keep them handy and ready for use. Canning jars strung about the dining room and kitchen.  Who's kitchen doesn't look like this in mid August if you enjoy canning and gardening?  Sometimes I get a bit jealous when I read of others going to Farmers Markets in January and etc.  They are bringing home good tasting vegetables and it will be months before I can even buy a tomato plant let alone eat a fresh one from the garden! But I don't think I would ever want to live anywhere else. 

Over the last few weeks I have processed Bread and Butter Pickles, Yellow Squash Relish, Spaghetti Sauce, Seedless Bread and Butter Pickles and of course, many jars of jams and jellies!  It was fun doing the veggies...something different!  I even think I will do some Zucchini Salsa over the weekend!  :)

Wednesdays lately have been "Mom Work Days".  I can up jams and jellies throughout the week and on Wednesday, my mom comes up and will "clean" the jars for me so I could label them for the markets that begin on Thursdays.  It has been enjoyable and a nice way for her to "feel part of the business".   Today's lunch was fresh green beans, potatoes, onions, ham and kielbasa, simmered all morning.  I even baked fresh bread!  I topped a slice with fresh warm blackberry jam.  It was delicious! 

Enjoy life everyone.  I know this is rambling and not much sense to be made, but I guess that is how I am feeling right now...as I look at the produce sitting here!