Where It All Began
I've never been a fan of pre-packaged meals. Seems so simple to buy select ingredients, mix 'em together according to instincts developed at my mother's apron, and presto, dinner! But I must admit, I have rarely prepared my own sauces or jams or chutneys from scratch as I've done this summer. Now, halfway through harvest time, I have a new respect for farmers and a new appreciation of the convenience of convenience food - even just a jar of bottled sauce - tomato or apple.
Planning, measuring, hoeing (didn't do the tilling ourselves), marking, planting, weeding, watering, staking & tieing, smacking pesky bugs with one's fingers, creatively discouraging four-legged pests, more weeding, picking, washing, peeling, coring, slicing, chopping, sauteing, blanching, steaming, shelling, baking, grilling, pureeing, wrapping, freezing, canning, labeling - whoa!
Canned peach jam, basil tomato sauce, carrot-pineapple-orange marmalade
Happiness is working with neighbors, learning new self-sufficiency skills, having the health, the resources, and freedom to do it all. Happiness a bountiful garden, a stocked pantry, and a full freezer - to say nothing of having a ready and willing (Willen?) husband/garden partner/sous chef/clean-up-guy with whom to share the whole experience. I am content.
Cherry Tomatoes & Garlic ala FoodFix.com
