Labour Day Weekend

My summers, for many years, have all been the same. First I go to  the trailer, then I  come home and do some  canning. This year is no different and so today started early with a trip to the market.

Locally, our most famous market is the Keady market.   http://seasonalontariofood.blogspot.ca/2009/06/visit-to-keady-market.html

Each Tuesday year round, both local and far-away vendors set out their produce  in the Keady Market space.  Many of the vendors are Mennonite.  In addition to the great foods they produce, I, for one, enjoy a brief  glimpse into their very different way of life.

A friend and I go to Keady annually to get our canning supplies.  We leave home at 6:30 - first come, first served - get our supplies then wander and gaze at the bounty.

Back home by 10 with my table covered in produce,

I am ready to begin my annual canning spree.  Well re-begin as yesterday I did some dilled beans and some Strawberry Marmalade.

You will notice in the top photo a new appliance.  Thanks to Sandra of Curlerchick Blog, http://curlerchikparttwo.blogspot.ca/ who tipped me off to how helpful a food mill can be to the home canner. When I stopped at the store for jar lids they had very cleverly displayed the Food Mill right beside the lids. Too easy.  Hopefully it will shave hours off my home made spaghetti sauce. Thanks Sandra.

I  hope to have a year's supply of Chili sauce, Spaghetti Sauce, Peach Pie Filling,  Canned Peaches,  9 day Pickles, Dill Pickles and Salsa ready for the cold room shelves by the end of Labour Day Weekend. They don't call it that for nothing.