Saturday, August 23, 2014

Labels for your stuff




Labelling can add so much to your canned products. And it can be fun too. We use Avery label products because they are available everywhere. Check out their variety in retail stores or on their website. They have hundreds of templates which can be downloaded or simply used from their website! Large, small, oval or circles for every need and jar! When you look at your pantry and see all those beautiful labelled food products you will be proud of what you did last summer! The rewards endure all winter on your table. 


However don't just consider summer as the only time to can make yummies for your pantry. California navel oranges are best in autumn, and the Indian River grapefruit from Florida is excellent at the new year. You can make marmalade! We advocate shopping locally, but California and Florida always guard the quality of their citrus. Salsa can be made anytime you get a deal on peppers! And you can freeze the little chipotles for extra hotness while it snows outside! Wine jellies too! We use Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Italian red in ours! And Italy NEVER runs out of that one! So don't restrict yourself to only summer months.


And once you start with labels, the creative possibilities are endless! Design your own with custom fonts and pictures. (Be careful not to use copyrighted photos though) yet with a simple point and shoot digital camera, you can visit produce markets and get great personal photos for use on your canning efforts! And check out our reflections page for photography hints. All the pics on this website with very few exceptions are my own. Look at the photo bar below to see what you get by just grabbing a shot in a produce market! But free clip-art is everywhere, so you can let your creativity free too!


You will find Avery to be very helpful and interested in your needs with tons of hints and suggestions. We use the 22xxx series because they stick on jars better than simple shipping labels. With Avery software, (free!) they are very easy to make and print with your own individual design.  



 Then you just stand there and let your mouth water! - AJ


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Blackberries

 Before labels

What a perfect dessert all through the year.
The blackberry season is just about over.
Bob picked six buckets this year and have plenty for pies , eating, jam and sauce.
plus filling the freezer to enjoy this winter.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Pesto

 

 Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated  Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts (can sub  any nuts)
  • 3 garlic cloves,
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • lemon zest