Home-grown food has always been part of my life. My maternal grandparents were farmers, and my Pappaw Chandler also grew tobacco. My brother and I would pile into Mammaw’s little Vega with my cousins and drive not far down the road and walk up the hill past Pappaw’s barn to the main fields where we spent many summer days picking beans, strawberries and helping Mammaw Chandler in those long rows that seemed to stretch out for miles in the hot sun. Oh the pure joy of those wonderful days, and the memories I now cherish.
After growing up and moving away after college, I’d come home to visit my parents and grandparents, and I never left without jars of Mammaw’s green beans, her dill pickles I loved so dearly, jams, kraut and vegetable soup. My first Thanksgiving away from home, it was Mammaw who gave me her directions for turkey and her cornbread dressing over the phone.
My mother has carried on that family tradition, and learning all these things from her is my goal. We enjoyed the garden so much this summer, and although I still have much to learn, I’m very proud of the potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, pickles, apple sauce etc., that I was able to put up for my own family. My mother not only gardens, cans and preserves for us, but also for many in the community she gives boxes of home-grown food to. Her shelves are a work of art, even after giving so much of it away.
Peaches, grapes, grape juice, fried apples, apple butter, caramel, vegetable soup, beef stew, chili beans, chili, local sausage, corn, tomatoes, homemade rotel, kraut, bread and butter pickles, dill pickles, sweet/hot peppers, and so much more is ready thanks to her hard work. Of course potatoes, onions and apples go in the cellar for winter as well.
At 77, she somehow keeps going making grape, mixed berry, peach and strawberry jams as well as creamed corn that goes in the freezer with blueberries and blackberries her sister brings.
When I look at these shelves, I see not only the hard work and experience that has gone into every jar, I also see the love she has for her family, friends and neighbors. She is the first to take a meal or loaf of fresh bread when she thinks it will brighten someone’s day. And that’s a big part of what homesteading is to me, and what I’m trying to soak up while I’m blessed with my parents next door. I see all kinds of versions of it, but this is not pretentious or “put on” as we say here in the south. It’s just honest love for one’s family and the desire to use what one has and make the best of it. I’d say my mom and Mammaw Chandler certainly have done that.
And I have had the best teachers to learn from.
“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
I’ll be joining:
These shelves are beautiful, like art to nourish not only the body but the soul as well with her love and the beauty found there. My mother had a garden and canned her vegetables and made jelly well into her 80’s. What a treasure and legacy!
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I’m very thankful for sure😊 Your mother sounds much like my mother and grandmother as well🙂🙂
Beautiful!
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Thank you Michele!!
Having done some canning, I looked at these pictures and marveled. The hours (and obviously, love) displayed on those shelves is heart-warming. ❤️
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Thank you Joyce☺️ Yes lots of hours of very hard work done with love❤️
I love this! You recently asked what we would like to see more of. For me, because my mother and grandmothers are long passed, I would love for you to share this kind of knowledge. There must be incredible planning to prepare for this. Your home is beautiful, but I especially like when you feature your heritage.
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Thank you Karen – I’m planning more videos with my mother sharing these things – hopefully soon☺️☺️☺️
The colorful shelves remind me of my Granny who lived over the hill on Plott Creek from your grandparents. And by the way, I too had a Vega but my first car actually was a baby blue 1967 Ford Fairlane that I bought from Mr. Red. It had a locked up motor and had sat under a tree down below their house for a time. My dad and a friend rebuilt it for me and I sold it after I went to college.
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Oh wow, thank you for sharing that story with me☺️☺️☺️ Precious memories❤️❤️❤️
How sweet of you Anita. love you so much and pray that I can continue on for several years to come. love working alongside with you. Sweet blessings, Mother
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Love you mother and the wonderful legacy you are making for us❤️❤️❤️
How wonderful to see those shelves filled with such a beautiful display of canned foods. I love it. I never saw either of my grandmothers, but I feel sure they canned also, out of necessity if nothing else. My mother canned everything she could get her hands on, so to speak. She canned and froze foods until she was unable to. I do the same thing, but I am unable to can hundreds of jars like I used to. My husband and I are unable to garden anymore, but I buy from “neighbors” and fruit markets. It is a craft one always holds onto and such a good feeling to know you have that much for your family and friends. Tell all your canners hello for me, and may God continue to bless your family.
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It really is such a special craft☺️ My mother loves to give home-canned goods to friends and neighbors who are no longer able to do so as well☺️
I really enjoy your family heritage stories❤️
I love this so much! Those shelves! The work and time that represents, and the wealth. You are blessed to have these women in our life.
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Thank you Becky!! I’m very thankful for all of them☺️☺️
I love this and your blog as well.
Those shelves remind me of my grandma. Thank you for sharing your blessing. ENJOY!!
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Thank you so much Lara☺️☺️