Beyond the Pantry Shelves

How often have you given or received a gift in a jar?

There's just something special about it no matter which end you're on.

Here and here are a couple of examples.

As wonderful as that all is, imagine something that's even better.

Here, let me show you.

You see as a home-canner, we seldom think much past the immediate:

wash the jars, heat the water, how long, what pressure, how much produce?

Of course, we know we are nourishing our family, 

securing food for winter, and usually saving money.

We tend to get stuck in those niches without giving it much more thought.

But there's more~

something deeper that we can't see.

Recently, my mother-in-law asked if I wanted some canning supplies.

They aren't doing that any more.

Of course, I said, "Sure."

They live in a small town not too far off, and Mr. LB and I work in two different towns each of the three about an hour's drive from the other. (Crazy I know.)

My M-I-L called one evening and asked 

if Mr. LB could drive the pick up the next day. 

They would be in town and would bring the canning things.

She didn't think it would fit in the car.

I laughed and asked if she was sure - note: never laugh at M-I-L.

She said, "Well, I think there are 16 boxes, 1 tote and a water canner."

I think I was still laughing not thinking she was serious -

note: quit laughing at M-I-L - she's serious!

It gets better. . .

Mr. LB drove the pickup to work and brought home the bounty.

When I saw it all and remarked that I couldn't believe how much was there, not even blinking, he said that they had already give 21 boxes to a grand daughter!

He is the youngest of five.

I can't imagine how much food was prepared for each meal.

His response to my shock was a casual, "Yea, Mom used to can a lot."

It was the weekend before I was ready to tackle the pile of boxes.

Within one of the boxes were these beautiful old blue jars~

the good ones with air bubbles in the glass.

Even some of the clear glass jars were old and had bubbles.
I think it was during the second load in the dish-washer 

that I called to thank her.

That's when she asked, "I think there were some blue jars in one of the boxes."

"Yeeeesss," I answered slowly as I looked at them drying on the counter.

They were the first ones washed.

She continued, "Could I have just one of them back?"

They were actually her grandma's (Mr. LB's great-grandma's.)

She didn't need it, and I would get it back some day, but she would like one.

"Certainly."

(Actually, I think I laughingly said I would think about it just 'cause I'm ornery."

But THAT'S what it is - whatever 'that' is.

That invisible thread that ties generations together

just by being and doing, by feeding the family, 

and by sharing the "pay" of your labor.

There's something so special in that.

Since then, I've rearranged, moved, and reevaluated things in the pantry.

I've decided the blue jars will be for herbs.

The herbs will be protected from the light, and

 it will be a "gentle" use of the jars.

And there is still one sitting on the counter - waiting:)

Below is a recipe for a meal in a jar~

a special gift,   from me . . . to you.

(In this one, I put the pasta in a plastic bag and then in the jar.) 

Chicken Noodle Soup (in a jar)

1/3 c. dried carrots

1/3 c. dried celery

1/4 c. dried onion

1/4 tsp. ground thyme

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. celery seeds

1/8 garlic powder

1 bay leaf

2/3 c. pasta

1 pint jar 

Layer ingredients in jar.  If you lay the bay leaf on the top of the dried items, the pasta will stay on top better - depending on what pasta you use.

Instructions:

In crock pot add jar ingredients to: 
8 c chicken broth or water
 and 3 c. chopped chicken.

Cook all day on low.
PS~ Sometimes I'll add dried peas or peppers or rice instead of pasta.
If you've been around a while, you know I have recipe issues.
If you're new to the site, 
you should know I consider a recipe as a general guideline.