3 Methods to Preserve the Garden’s Bounty

Image: freedigitalphotos.net It’s that time of year when the garden is busy producing bushels of beans, pecks of peppers and bask…

Ball Blue Book - guide to preserving, 2011 edition: My review

The Ball Blue Book for many years has been a much-trusted resource for canners of all levels of experience.  In fact, the first v…

Mock Pineapple

Up to my ears in zucchini, I've tried to find new ways to enjoy them and preserve them.  Well, thanks to the good ol' Nat…

Zucchini Pickles

It's been a busy couple of weeks at Chez Zen.  We went on a camping vacation and had a fantastic time.  Mr. Zen and I also ce…

Yummy Pear Recipes

This week we have been enjoying our fresh apples and pears. But there are too many to eat fresh so I enlisted the help of a frien…

Canning resources

I was asked if I had any favorite canning resources, so even though I am really new to this, I will share what I know. The first …

No much to do in the garden.

Besides for planting some carrot and baby spinach seeds there was not a lot to do in the garden. Therefore the kids and I tackled…

That moment in every canner's life....

Remember those guavas from last year? Well, I am sure I am not the first who has ever canned produce and then a few months later…