No, you can't go to Heaven in a jar!

The other day, my squatter, my 7 year old and I were in the truck together. My 7 year old starts singing, "No you can't go to heaven in a jar. . . " I looked at him, waiting for some more lyrics. Instead I got an ornery grin and "You can't go to heaven in a jar." I replied, "But you can go to hell in a hand basket." This had my 7 year old rolling with laughter, before he took a breath to ask what a hand basket was. This started us on the various ways that pop culture has sang/said we could go to heaven or hell.

Many of us feel that the world, at least the US is going to hell in a hand basket right now. And my 7 year olds statement got me thinking. Maybe we can go to Heaven in a jar. . .at least a canning jar can give us a little piece of personal sanctuary. Let's think about it. Many of us are concerned about rising food prices, even on Oprah ( no I usually don't watch it, but I was flipping through stations yesterday because I don't have a remote and some woman was talking about canning jelly. See, that justifies it ha!) people were talking about money no longer being there and this is leading them to create homemade gifts, such as jams and jellies. No, I don't think I will start saying that the issues with our economy is a good thing. I don't think people should be forced to rethink their lifestyles, I believe that we should come to it because that is what we want to do.

Canning food, like your leftovers, really can be some peace of mind. There have been times in my past that I didn't have the money to buy food, I would freeze the leftovers. But after I learned to can, I began canning everything I could. And I assure you, this has made a major difference in my life. I have learned to can my "gourmet" meals as well as the down home types of foods. I give gifts of bread and cake in a jar along with jams, jellies and butters. And I have seen a savings in my food bill because of this. And with three growing boys that seem to eat as much as my husband does. . . well it makes a world of difference.

Canning isn't something that is going on just during harvest, although we homesteaders make it seem that way, it is something that happens all year long. If you are in need of basic canning times, see here. Be creative, and allow the problems of the world slide off your back with all the sweat.

I have articles to finish, another reason I was so late posting this morning. Oh, and if you haven't checked it out yet, you can go try and win a custom motorcycle over at Following the yellow brick road.