One year ago March 29, Canning Granny was born... it's been an amazing year! Two months before, I had read a book that had absolutely nothing to do with canning, One Second After. It made me stop and do some thinking... and I passed it on to my dear husband and he read it, and it made him do some thinking... and so began our quest for more independence, more self-reliance, more sustainability in our lives... we decided to simplify our lives... at the time we were living in town, in an apartment, in a very nice apartment complex... I had grown up and lived most of my life in the country, but had got a new, wonderful job and it was a choice we made... now we were facing a different choice... to get back to a simpler lifestyle... were we ready?
One of the first things I mentioned to Mr. G was that I'd like to get back to canning... I'd done it all my life, I knew how... it would be a good first step... He responded with, "Well, what do you need to start back?" A pressure canner arrived within a few days... An All American 15.5 quart... it was AWESOME... and I began immediately to can... it was January and there were no fresh vegetables and fruits, so I canned meat, chicken... shrimp... meatloaf... beef stew... and more.
One weekend I was in the kitchen doing my canning thing and Mr. G walked in and gave me a hug and said, "My Little Canning Granny! Hey, you should write a blog... there's your name, Canning Granny." Canning Granny was born as easy as that...
Since then, we've moved BACK to the country, bought a house and a little piece of God's earth, we've planted fruit trees, we've built half a chicken coop with plans for chickens soon, we've purchased a tiller and plowed up the front yard for a garden, we've started planting vegetables... we're honing old skills we haven't used in awhile like sewing, crochet, carpentry, gardening, pruning, and more...and we're learning new skills like herbal medicine and many other DIY projects... there is still LOTS to do, but we are enjoying this life to the fullest... our stress level has dropped and our enjoyment of life has risen... we once took weekends away to just get out of the city... now we're more than content to putter around the house and garden... Life is good!
This past year would NOT have been possible without you wonderful people, our readers... Words simply cannot express my appreciation and gratitude to you... I am humbled and amazed each and every day by your support and trust in me. Thank you is not enough, but Thank You nonetheless...
And as a token of my extreme appreciation, I have made a little something to give to one of you wonderful readers... Here it is... an apron with canning jars appliqued on it... Your very own Canning Granny Apron...I hope you like it. I had fun making it!
And here's what you need to do for a chance to receive this gift...
1. "Like" Canning Granny on Facebook, or if you already do, say so in your comment below.
2. Comment below, say "Happy Anniversary" or "I love you" or whatever you want to say. Please include your first name and last initial, otherwise I won't know who you are... if you are comfortable with sharing your email address in the comment section, include that and I will email you if your name is chosen, otherwise I will announce the winner's name on Facebook.
On Tuesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. (EDT) I will draw a name using random.org and will announce the winner on Facebook... the winner will have 48 hours to respond by emailing me at canninggranny@gmail.com with his/her name and mailing address.
Again, I thank you one and all...
Let the comments commence!!!!
