Gifts, Inexpensive and really Appreciated

Gifts



Even in today’s society, a hand-made gift is appreciated by everyone. But, when someone gets homemade jams, jellies, pickles, etc. they are thrilled.



One year, one of our daughters came down and we taught her how to make Strawberry Jam. We used the ½ pint, decorative jars. I told her how I give them as Gifts at Christmas time. Because of the economy she was laid off, and was very upset because of it being Christmas time. I suggested that for the friends that she still wanted to do a little something, GIVE THEM A JAR OF HER JAM. She is very close to these friends and wanted the gifts as special as she could afford. So she got a gift bag, purchased a small gift, and placed a jar of her jam in the bag. A few days after their ‘Christmastime Get Together’, she called us. She told me what a good time they had together…BUT…she was blown over by the response to the jam. They were all so happy to get something which she had made herself. Then they went home and started eating the jam and calling to ask if she had more. They told her that next year, “Forget the store bought gift, and either give them a bigger jar or may maybe 2 small jars”.



Other suggestions for gifts are teachers, mailmen, trash collectors, doctors, nurses, etc. the list could go on forever. I will share my experience. As I have told you in other blogs, we are retired and live on a fixed income plus we have our health problems. We make numerous doctor visits in the course of the year. For years, I have always taken my doctors and nurses something we baked or canned. They always remember that and one or the other always mentions it or tells me how wonderful to receive a gift like that.



If and when you began to do jams and jellies, remember to can a few small jars. Give them as a gift and set back and watch the response you get. Remember that we are here to help you if you have any questions or comments. Also checkout our other blog, http://nannypeepawsCandy.blogspot.com/ for videos and free recipes. Thanks for returning, have a Merry Christmas and a really good New Year. Nanny, (Becky Plank)

Saving Money

COST SAVING



As we said earlier, you can save money by preserving food through home canning. Whether you are purchasing or growing your produce, you can save money. Especially if you find a particular item you can’t find in stores. We put up an “Old Fashion Pickle”, and have NEVER been able to find any that taste like them.



We purchase our produce at a local market and performed some cost comparisons. For instances, we make and preserve our own ‘Apple Pie Filling’ (recipe at http://nannypeepawskitchen.blogspot.com/). This year we priced canned Apple Pie Filling at the store, it costs almost $4. We were able to make and can ours at a cost of a little over $2. We did the same thing with ‘Pickled Beets’ and other things we enjoy eating. Then we decided that it was the taste MORE than the cost that we enjoyed.


We hope you enjoy the blog and will visit our other blog with videos and recipes which will help you in your new projects. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact us. AFTER ALL…THAT’S WHAT GRANDPARENTS ARE FOR…ISN’T IT?
From Nanny's Kitchen

The taste of home canning

Simply the Taste

After you have canned some you will see the difference in the taste…between commercially canned and home canned produce. The longer you wait to can any fresh produce it will lose not only taste but vitamins as well. We heard the other day that vegetables start losing their vitamins from the moment it is picked. By growing your own or purchasing from a local farmer or market, you can expedite the canning process.

We have a friend that will not eat green beans (recipe at http://nannypeepawskitchen.blogspot.com/) unless they are fresh or some of our green beans! She cares nothing about cooking, but likes to eat our greens beans (along with other items we can). Whenever we are at a function or gathering which everyone brings a covered dish…her first question is “Miss Becky, are those your green beans”?

Be sure to check our other blog http://nannypeepawskitchen.blogspot.com. We want to able for you to have the success with your canning as we have experienced. Remember, you can send comments or ask us questions any time.

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