Just Like They Did.....

Do you ever do something and immediately feel connected to your ancestors?  Well, I do.  For me, it is canning, cooking and baking. It makes me so happy to stand in my kitchen all day and do things I know my grandma and great-grandmothers did.

My dad's mom, Grace was quite the canner.  She died when I was 5, so I have very few memories of her.  But, my dad has told me plenty about all she canned.  She canned EVERYTHING!!   In fact, he said he was shocked as a child to see canned peaches in the store!  He didn't know stuff like that existed since all his food came from mason jars, canned by his mom.  I remember spending time in her home after she been gone for many years.  My dad lived with Grandpa Burt before he passed away.  She had a 2nd kitchen downstairs that she used exclusively for canning.  I was intrigued by it then.  Now, I dream about it!  I sure wish she was around to teach me a thing or two more about canning....

My great-grandparents on my mom's side started a restaurant right before the Great Depression hit.  When my mom was younger, she worked there as did her siblings.  It was a family affair!!  My uncle ended up taking it over and still owns the homemade chocolate candy part....YUM!  I spent many hours there.  Visiting my grandma as she cooked that day's special.  I ate many a delicious meal there and that is where I first had split pea soup and have loved it ever since.  Don't even get me started on their homemade rolls and apricot jam....and their pies.........!! I love to hear stories from when my mom worked there.  She tells me my favorite ones over and over and they never get old. How fun would it have been for me to work there as a teenager, with all of them there??  My great-grandparents, Uncle David and Aunt Rita, Uncle Rich....if only I had a time machine.  So, whenever I spend a bit of time in the kitchen baking, cooking or making apricot jam, I think of them all and smile.  I draw strength from their experiences of being ultra-frugal; running a restaurant during the Depression was no easy task.  My great-grandfather would go around town picking apricots from those who already got what they needed from that year's crop.  He them turned it into the best jam ever.  And pie!  Nothing was ever wasted. 

I am grateful for my mom who taught me how to can, to make jam and to bake.  I am also grateful she came over today to help me.  Salsa and Peach Pie Filling...........round 1 of canning done!!