Friday, September 30, 2011

I'm a Geek and a Glutton Part 2

First off, sorry Desiree, I'm calling myself a geek and a glutton, again. I will consider my ears soundly boxed! Ouch! Not so hard!!


After showing you all the beautiful and bountiful veggies Hubby and I brought home from the produce auction, I thought I'd show you how lovely they all look in their new homes/jars.


But, first, in addition to all the veggies I showed you in the previous post, here are some additional fruits and veggies Hubby brought home. Most of the fruit went into our homemade brandies. (Wait until I tell you about that!)


Can't you just smell those sweet peaches?

Peppers

More peppers

Beautiful Bing Cherries!
Oh my gosh, they were soooooo delicious!
So, here is the little story about the cherries. I was not with Hubby on this particular auction venture. But, he had been wanting to get peaches to try peach brandy. And, I wanted a few peaches to can. I will admit, I was a little weary when I saw that we now had a garage full of produce. He also came home with 48 pounds of Bing cherries! He quickly told me he was planning to use those for brandy as well. I love Bing cherries, and quickly checked our list of approved foods for our diet. Yes! They were on the list. (I might have eaten 3 bagfuls myself. ) That still left a considerable amount of cherries that needed attending to. But, I quickly turned them into pie filling. 


These cherries were one of the last things to be auctioned off. There is a "seconds" section, where produce that is past its prime (to put it nicely) is auctioned off just to get rid of it. Usually, the high bidder gets first choice, then everyone gets a chance to take whatever they want, at the same price. He took four "flats" because he wasn't sure of the quality of the cherries. When  he got them home, and we inspected our "deal", we both wished he had brought home much more. Those cherries were gorgeous! Only seven were bad enough to throw away! How much did we pay for them? About 75 cents a pound! 
Peach and Cherry Pie Filling

Bread and Butter Pickles


Peppers



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21 comments:

  1. Claudia MoserSeptember 30, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    Wow, can I get a can or two of the peaches and cherries? Pretty please :) Looks delicious!

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  2. KimSeptember 30, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Wowzers! That is a lot of fruit Darlene. Brandy? I'm intrigued.
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  3. SouthhamsdarlingSeptember 30, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Wow, wow and double wow!! I simply don't know what to say. Look how organized you are. I am SO impressed!! Look at all that fruit and veggies. An auction, what a great idea. I love how they look in all the bottles, lined up like little soldiers. I think you have enough to last you right through until next year! Hee Hee! Great post.

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  4. DesireeSeptember 30, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. DesireeSeptember 30, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    OK, OK! I agree...you are a glutton for punishment! What a lot of time and effort will have gone into producing all of those impressive bottles filled to the brim with yummy goodies! I was not joking when I said I honestly wouldn't know where to begin, but judging from your hoard, you are a Pro at this sort of thing! I am bowled over, gobsmacked, smitten with awe :)

    Now, how long does it take to prepare everything? Those peaches presumably all had to be washed, peeled, stoned and cut up...the cherries, washed and depitted...the sandwich pickles finely sliced/chopped...the peppers, cut up and deseeded...THEN you had to have a pot (or several pots!) huge enough in which to cook the syrup/sweet/savoury vinegar, then add all the processed fruits and veggies...then, carefully tend and time it all, so as not to overcook or, worse still, allow anything to boil out all over your stove top!

    Lastly, you had to carefully fill ALL of those glass jars, again trying not to spill & then seal them all up and find space to store them safely! How many canning jars do you own??? Where do you store them all when not in use??? The reason I'm trebling up on the ? marks is because I am overwhelmed by it all. My Mum used to make jam, or bottle quinces or peaches or make pickles, but NEVER in these volumes! She'd be busy for hours and would just have a few bottles to show for all her effort. I've never felt inclined to try myself, as it just seemed like way too much work. You make the rest of us out here feel totally incompetent (and idle!).

    Please DO tell us about the peach brandy!

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  6. All8September 30, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    It all looks lovely to me!

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  7. Ginny HartzlerSeptember 30, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Your jars look beautiful!!!! But your backs must be killing you!!!! Yours from doing all the canning and his from lifting all those heavy flats! Phil eats cherries all the time, too bad they have such a short season. Have you ever tried the yellow Ranier ones? They are considered to be the best.

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  8. Tiffany @ No Ordinary HomesteadSeptember 30, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Wow! That sounds like a totally awesome place -- I would go crazy at a fruit and veggie auction :)

    Although canning is a ton of work, it feels so satisfying when you look at all the food you've put up for the future. My issue is always actually using the goodies we can. It's like I'm always trying to save it for something special since so much work went into it. :)

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  9. SImple and Serene LivingSeptember 30, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Wow, I am definitely salivating. peaches and cherries are my absolute favorites.
    Yum.
    Laura

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  10. JenSeptember 30, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    I wish I liked cherries because they did look yummy! I'll sacrifice and eat some pie filling.

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  11. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comSeptember 30, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    I'd like to shop, eat and drink at your place, Darlene. Enjoy the geekdom and gluttony. It all looks and sounds delicious.
    Happy weekend.
    xoRobyn

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  12. GloriaOctober 1, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    Wow, I really admire you, Darlene, for doing all of that work! And all of those jars look so delicious! And what the heck? Homemade Brandy? I WANT SOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Best,
    Gloria

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  13. SushOctober 4, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Those are so beautiful! I'd love to have those jars waiting in MY pantry! I made blueberry and strawberry preserves a while back, I think I need to try getting myself back in the kitchen! And how is the HGC diet going? I'm very intrigued with how it works after you get back on regular food.
    Thanks~

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  14. Karen M. PetersonOctober 6, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Those peaches look so delicious! And purple peppers?? Beautiful!

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  15. Will ProfitOctober 7, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Home made Brandies? I'm listenin'.

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  16. Facing50.BlogOctober 8, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    I feel completely inadequate now-and there I was proud of myself for actually baking a cake this week. Very impressive Darlene and those peaches are just mouthwatering delicious.

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  17. trailbeeOctober 8, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Now that your garage is free of 'clutter', are you planning to can any pumpkin? Got the apples, pears, but missed the peaches. I'm asking, because I'm interested in doing it, but meeting resistance. Maybe you know something that might help. Thanks.
    (I see Will was here - better watch that brandy!:) )

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  18. AnonymousOctober 8, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Oh you rotten woman! Teasing us with all your treasures. Once again you savage person and brutal warrior torturer I am JEALOUS! lol Kidding. Have a great night and all that looks yummy

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  19. nickOctober 9, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    I must have led a sheltered life - I'd never seen purple peppers before.

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  20. Betty ManousosOctober 11, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    it all looks great!
    i can almost smell the sweetness of those peaches!

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  21. AndreaOctober 19, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    Peaches and cherries are my favorite summer fruits! Good job on all your canning...very impressive!!!

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