Seven Springs Dream

What to do with too much squash!

We have been blessed with an abundance of squash this year, so I have been trying to find some inventive ways of using it. I am in the middle of trying this recipe, but so far it looks beautiful with all its different colors blended together. As of right now it is in my refrigerator after sitting all night, I plan on canning it this evening. I would love to hear other ways you use your squash.

Anyway, here is the recipe.

3 lbs. yellow summer squash, finely chopped

3 lbs. zucchini, finely chopped

6 large onions, finely chopped

3 medium green peppers, finely chopped

3 medium red peppers, finely chopped

1/4 c canning salt

2 c sugar

2 c packed brown sugar

2 c white vinegar

4 tsp. celery seed

1 tsp. ground turmeric

1 tsp. ground mustard

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Drain vegetable mixture. Rinse in cold water and drain again. Place vegetables in a large pot. Add remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling reduce heat and all to simmer for 10 min. stirring frequently.

Immediately fill hot pint jars with mixture leaving 1/2 in. head space. Carefully run a nonmetallic utensil down inside jars to remove trapped air bubbles. Wipe jar tops and threads clean, then adjust two piece caps.

Process in boiling water canner for 15 min.

Pics of our new pantry area!

Here are some pics of our new organized pantry. Our pantry is located in our expanded wash room so it is not your typical one. Here is a shot from the front. I was still canning some at this point so you can see the jars at the bottom waiting to be filled. Here is our tomatoes, green beans, corn, pickles, honey, and various jams. We now have apple butter stored there as well.

Here is a shot from the side. This is our spaghetti sauce.

Here is our salsa, apple sauce, apple pie filling, and peaches.

I had hoped to put  these on a while back, but I am still learning how to post pictures. We will see if these actually show up.

Have a great day!

Thought I was finished with canning!

Well I thought canning for this season was finished, but I was very wrong.

A local tomato field opened up and were selling tomatoes for $8 a bushel. I decided to can some more spaghetti sauce, salsa, and just plain tomatoes.

We also found a great deal on some late season apples so of course I picked these up as well. I have been canning apple sauce and plan to put up some apple butter.

I am happy to put up the things God has provided. My husband is working on a better place to store our canned items. Right now I have them stored under everyone's beds, they are just difficult to get out sometimes.

Well I hope everyone has a nice evening.

Reaping the fruits of labor due to the gas shortage!

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted. I have been unusually busy these last couple of weeks, so I apologize. We have been canning and homeschooling, and to add to this I have been directing our local homeschool enrichment classes. These will soon be finished, they only last 5 weeks, and I am ready for a break.

We have been in the middle of this gas shortage, and it has been very interesting. I have watched normally calm, collected people turn into madmen. There has been fights break out, and even weapons pulled. Friends of ours even had their car rammed into while waiting in these 1-2 hour long lines. After even waiting in these lines there is no gaurantee that you will get gas as the gas stations run out so quickly. I never thought this would happen in America, but it is.

How is this affecting out family? Well I must say we are doing much better than others because we believe firmly in being prepared. The children and I have been able to stay home because we have almost everything we need here. My husband has not had to wait in these long lines because of our ability to conserve fuel. Now don't get me wrong, I know the Lord has blessed us tremendously. But we could have chosen to be careless with what He has given us, and not been prepared when we needed to be. Is there things we could have done different, of course! We are still a work in progress, and the Lord is still teaching us thankfully.

Today, instead of searching for fuel, we will be sitting at home relaxing. I will also be putting up some applesauce with the apples the Lord has so wonderfully provided. It is also our baby girl's birthday today, so we will be having her chosen dinner of pizza tonight.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful day!