{Ready to Can}

Canning requires the proper tools.

I've looked into preserving produce off and on for a couple months now. Asking around and

doing a a few Google searches gave me an idea of what I needed to buy, but I still felt fuzzy

on the process. I was totally intimidated by it. So, I hadn't taken the leap yet.

Sara gave me a needed push when she invited me over to help her can tomatoes. She made

it look easy. (She's calm, collected and organized.) I realized -- I can do this! So, I made it my

April goal to get supplies and start canning just in time for spring and summer harvests.

She told me what I needed to buy and where to find it. Turns out, Ace Hardware really is

the place. They had almost every item she suggested, and it was all priced reasonably. I

had to go to Walmart -- for the first time in four years -- for one thing, but it is the perfect

tool for the job. So, I did it. (Admittedly, it wasn't a bad shopping experience, and I picked

up a few other things while I was there.)

Here's what I bought for canning:

A 21-quart pot for processing with tool set - $69.99 at Ace.

Image from Acehardware.com

Mason jars with lids for canning (12 pack) - $12.99 at Ace.

Image from Acehardware.com

Extra lids - $3.99 at Ace

Image from Acehardware.com

Everything you need to know about canning and how to do it -- $8.99 at Ace.

Image from Amazon.com


Wire basket perfect for blanching tomatoes - $14.99 at Walmart

Image from Google Images

It's time -- now that I have the means -- to find my way. I'll be back soon with a report

on my progress and a little about why it was important to me to try this.

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Reminder: It's Earth Month! Pop over to EcoLizzie's blog to learn a little about what you

can do to celebrate our beautiful planet.