It was in our early stages of dating that we discovered our mutual love of canning.  Growing up a farmer's daughter my mom was always canning things from our garden.  My dad would plant small patches of sweet corn each year for us to can or freeze.  My husband developed his love of canning because he doesn't like to eat processed foods.  Canning foods lets you decide what goes into the jar, saves a lot of time cooking and is a great way to save money.   Not only do you gain the satisfaction of preserving your harvest, but you also have the opportunity to experiment with flavors and recipes that cater to your personal taste. As you become more proficient, you'll find that the time spent canning transforms into a cherished tradition, connecting you to a simpler, more self-sufficient way of life. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice cook, canning your own foods is a fulfilling endeavor that brings lasting rewards. 

With spring and summer quickly approaching it is time to start thinking about your garden and what all you want to can.   I like to start by taking an inventory of what all I have left form last year.   I keep a spreadsheet of what I have canned, size and number of jars I have on hand.  This will help me decide what changes I need to make this year.  Last year I really benefitted from my sister's apple tree and was able to make lots of apple butter and some apple pie filling.  We also live close to a produce market that sold produce by the case.  I would watch the produce market for sales on tomatoes and was able to purchase cases of Roma tomatoes for $5 to $8 a case. We had a healthy supply of pasta sauce, salsa, chili base, pizza sauce, juice and ketchup. I ended up taking some juice and making Bloody Mary Mix. Aside from saving a lot of money at the grocery store you are in control of what goes in the food you can.  Let's get started.  If you are new to canning, I recommend buying a book about canning.