There used to be such a sense of satisfaction when the last pumpkins and squash had been harvested and lined up in the basement. Carrots were tucked into a barrel filled with sand to be dug out during the winter months. Cabbage had been pulled out by the roots and was now resting upside down to be enjoyed over the next few months. Bins of potatoes and apples lined a basement wall while bundles of onions hung from the joists. Rows and rows of can shelves were filled to capacity with vegetables and fruits as well as meats.
The coal bin had been filled and the woodhouse had enough wood stacked in it that we could barely open the door to step inside.
Geese were flying south and finally with all the summer labor of preparing for winter we were ready for the frost and snows to come. I used to absolutely love this time of year. Cozy and happy, time to dig through the fabric cupboards and plan the sewing lists. Time to pull out the fun crafts that had been tucked away last spring. Ahh.... pure bliss.
We don't have a garden and all the intense preparations any longer, I miss it. But with out fail, every October I still get struck with extra creativity and lots of plans for winter projects.
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Those are some sweet memories. I have never lived in a household where lots of canning and putting up for the winter was done. I finally learned how to make and can apple jelly and applesauce this month. I'm curious; how do cabbages last for months? Do you can them, or do you just leave them in their natural state?
ReplyDeleteWe used to harvest the cabbage as soon as they matured, if kept in a dark, cool, dry place they kept for up to three months. We didn't do anything with them other than leave them totally intact, no trimming of leaves or removing the root.
DeleteIt all sounds so very wonderful, and I can hardly imagine the feeling of satisfaction standing back and admiring the fruit of all that hard labor. So much work, but it must have just came natural to you as was the way of life with the Amish. I have to admit , I've done little growing and putting away in my life, as my life was so different as a child, but as a young mother and wife on a very meager income, I learned what hard work was, and also felt that sense of satisfaction when seeing what I was able to accomplish for my household. Now days it very different for me though. Just me, myself and I to care for and sometimes even that is to much ;) blessings friend
ReplyDeleteIt is a very good feeling seeing all the things we had worked so hard on all summer.
DeleteI think the very things you talk about are what make this time of year my favorite! Of all the things my mom would put up, her pickles were my favorite :-) Peaches and beets I didn't care for; tomatoes were just 'eh', but pickles were like candy to me! We also did a lot of baking in October and November - Loved my mom's pumpkin pies and crullers (other people called them doughnuts) and coming home from school and taking a sniff as I walked into the house...Ahhhh! The garage had onions hanging from the joists. Me? There are a handful of onions on the counter (we ate the rest) and we have salsa that is in jars... I froze some corn, carrots, peas and beans and picked up 2 boxes of apples at the produce auction for applesauce, apple crisp, apple pudding, apple dumplings and apple pie... I also picked up 4 pie pumpkins. I'll be busy and I have my mom's recipes! (p.s. I like apples)
ReplyDeleteWinter projects..sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteWhen we next get our extra $$ I hope to begin crocheting.