Bottled Beauties...

A Canning Girl at Heart

I used to think of canning jars

As a chore my mother did.

The time and toil, heat and sweat,

Looked irksome to a kid.

It seemed to me old fashioned,

Preserving all day through.

Couldn't we run to Albertson's

And buy a can or two?

The table has turned, to my chagrin,

On this sweet, vintage art.

With bottles, syrups, lids, and rings,

I wonder where to start.

Is this really me? I ask.

Have I succombed at last?

What is this pull to be like Mom,

And others from my past?

If I were trying to save time,

This road, I wouldn't choose.

It's like a kitchen marathon--

To sprint would mean I'd lose.

There's depth to this, I couldn't see;

My youthful eyes were blind.

It's wisdom, laughs, togetherness,

And total peace of mind.

But, if we're speaking honestly,

I've something to impart:

I still don't feel like I've become

A canning girl at heart.

Admittedly, there is something extremely satisfying about seeing all those bottles lined up perfectly..."pretty little maids all in a row." However, this food preservation stuff is more my husband's urging. He gets us going. I think it's nostalgic for him...memories with his own mother. I can totally appreciate that. I'm hoping that one day I will come to love the process. Right now, I'm loving the result. It gets sweeter every year--I hope it continues. I love the idea of it all...like I said, it's a sweet, vintage art. It is to me--it looks so cute and happy and wholesome and old fashioned--it really is nostalgic. I don't want to let all those things get lost in the fast-paced present. It's one of those "connecting with your people" moments. So, don't be fooled when you see those bottles on my shelf. I'm more a "letter of the law" canner, rather than a "spirit of the law" gal. Baby steps, right?