Prepping for Canning Season ~ Make Ahead Meals, Organization, and More

[@robbieh.chafin6202]

Jessica I was telling my husband what a amazing woman you are . The things you accomplish during the different seasons. I don't think I have never seen anyone do all the different things any one person does like you do. The home schooling, gardening, canning and cooking 3 meals a day from scratch. You always seem so happy. I love how you and your husband are raising your children with a love for Jesus Christ. You have a wonderful family with love and caring for each other. God Bless

[@playcolumbus2413]

This is my 3rd year with a garden and 2nd year canning. I made a list of everything I'd like to have canned and on my shelves and set that as my goal! I'm up to 98 jars canned of the 250 I want to do. Thank you for all of the inspiration!

[@christineayre796]

Same here!! Oh man I have alot of canning to do to catch up to you!! Lol, you have inspired me to get busy!! Thank you for posting what you have done!! Dont we just love getting Jessica's videos to keep us going!!❤

[@Imjetta7]

Well done!

[@smallspaceswithGloria]

That is awesome 😊

[@SEGuest-fu2kr]

I frequently prepare cookie dough and freeze raw in ball shape. However, I have never thought to prepare batter and freeze it. What a fantastic idea!

[@tinaholbrook9719]

Having breakfast prepped is a MUST for those of us who homestead and homeschool! It makes getting everything done in the morning such a breeze!

[@Bobbingforapples707]

You have taught me so much about gardening and food preservation. I look forward to your videos every week. Almost every video I think, “I didn’t know that I needed to know that!” Appreciate your ability to teach and your willingness to do so. ❤️

[@catherinecorn2371]

Growing up, all the moms at church gardened and canned. One of my friend's mom would always say " what I'm canning is what we are eating." 😂 So when it was time for green beans, she served fresh green beans cookies with a leftover Easter ham bone and some new potatoes a few children ran to the garden to dig up. And when it was peach time, we got peach shortcakes for dinner. 😂 I always found that quite fun and would make sure I was around for canning season. 😂

[@carriem7832]

I think you inspiring homemakers to prepare ahead of time is so encouraging……it helps to destress when you’re busy. I always made up Sunday meals when I had littles. It made before church time easier on me trying to get them ready….I’d have waffles made and frozen, fried bacon, sausage patties , sausage gravy and biscuits, sweet breads, breakfast egg wraps and egg casseroles, frozen fruit compotes and frozen yogurt cups. It really helped…….then I’d have some freezer meals ready for Sunday dinners ….. making Sunday a time of enjoying the family and not working in the kitchen. Sunday evening was a family movie and a treat….their favorite were cream puffs filled with ice cream then hot fudge poured on top or brownie sundaes …..I miss those days now all mine are married with their own families…..🥺

[@radmilamiljanic5977]

My heart melted watching Hannah play:))) I miss having babies.

[@radmilamiljanic5977]

@@cynthiafisher9907 Thank God, all of their children look so serene and calm, joyful but never uncontrolable😍

[@bettypearson5570]

Another way to do the cookies is to use an ice cream scoop which come in many sizes to scoop onto a parchment covered cookie sheet And put into freezer. You can easily fit 4-5 dozen per sheet just making sure they don't touch. Once frozen to can Put in ziplock bags or in reusable plastic containers. The only thing to clean is the mixing bowl,electric beaters, spatula for scraping sides of bowl and ice cream scoop. I would normally do double batches of chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar cookie and oatmeal raisin in one evening all using the same mixing bowl aNd have hundreds of cookies ready to bake for my kids, my daycare kids and neighbor kids dropping by or even special activities at school or church. The freezer is our friend when it comes to organization.

[@lifeinthepiedmontVirginia]

Good morning, finished 14 quarts of tomatoes last night and last week did 8pints of green salsa verde. Next up enchilada sauce 😊❤ blessings 😊

[@mybelovedchaos]

A preservation list is a great idea, looks like I need a new notebook! How do I always find excuses to get new notebooks? Thanks!

[@AtHomeWithSheree]

The look on your son’s face when he hit in to the strawberry was priceless and precious! I am also doing some meal prep to be ready for the big canning season. You reminded me to organize the storage spaces though! Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Bobbijart444]

My garden is going crazy this year!! My baby was due in August, and she came last Friday!!! I feel so unprepared it's insane! The garden has gone to the wild this year!! 😅😅 Thank you for being you!!! I love your videos!!❤

[@bettyadkisson1681]

Try old lunchroom pie crust recipe 5 lbs. Flour 3lbs. Shortening or lard,1lb. Butter,1-1/2 tsp salt and 1 quart ice cold water and optional 1/3 cup sugar but I don't add it because I sprinkle the sugar on top of pie later because I use crusts for pot pies too. It makes 20 -24 crusts I wrap with plastic wrap then foil for longer lasting 6 to 8 months.

[@AZJH8374]

I've been with you for years. What about your dog breeding? I watched build that room. I've also frequented Becky at Acre Homestead. She's been doing your challenges multiple times. She's so much fun to watch, I was so happy she followed you! 💗 love you ALL Nurse Judi in Scottsdale AZ and Eucharistic Minister. Prayers ❤️ 🙏🏻

[@claudialeger3208]

Great explanation of how to think forward. The plan is the detail we tend to overlook or don’t go into great detail but your reminding us of its importance truly helps stay focused. Beautiful fresh produce from your abundant garden is amazing. Thank you, as always!

[@AndreaRuralMN]

My mom would make zucchini bread and brownies. She'd grate it into the largest shreds, skin and seeds and all. Also because it was the 90s she cut down on the sugar and fat. The result was raw chunks of green or seeds in bland bread. I hated it! Last summer I decided to try zucchini bread with my trusty banana/pumpkin bread recipe. I peeled the green off, took out the seeds, and grated with the fine shredder. It was great! This summer I'm up to about 10 bags of zucchini for bread in the freezer. I'm also going to make a carrot salad and throw some in there too! Moms, they mean well and I wonder what I'm doing that my son will have similar stories about!

[@sandyschultz280]

I gave a vadalia onion chopper that I use to chop veggies for soup or the freezer. I find it to be a very useful tool. In the fall when we can get red peppers at a reasonable price, I chop onions and peppers in The right quantities for stuffed pepper soup or celery, onions and ham for potato soup. I stick the bags in the freezer. This makes making soup later so easy.

[@OkieJammer2736]

⚘ Love this and LOVE your smiley, energetic voice!

[@mandyb2334]

I saw all your beautiful onions and thought onion top pesto! Becky from acre homestead has an amazing recipe! Love your channel, mom of 7 here and we are finally going to be moving onto our own property so we can continue to homestead and move even further toward self sustaining ourselves. ❤

[@leslierm.6732]

All your hard work has really paid off!!!! Beautiful garden, healthy children. WOW!!! Thank you Jessica, for this pre preservation month coming up. Gods blessings 🙏

[@RafaelaMoning]

My husband’s grandma, who is from the North of Spain, has a very special pancake recipe 😊 Instead of milk she uses bone broth 👍

[@chrissyfrancis8952]

I use a 2 inch cookie scoop for dough, put it on a silicone pad on a sheet, flash freeze it, then put them in a bag so I can grab what I need. Keeps them all uniform. I do the same thing with sausage cheese balls. I have a small family, so I always double recipes like breads & freeze one loaf of dough. I vacuum seal them after they’re frozen. I saves waste too bc we can’t eat whole batches of things.

[@bearridgefarm]

Or propane! Arghh! I ran out in the middle of a cheese making project. You’ve inspired me once again. Thanks for the videos!

[@loris2168]

Have canned 40bls cherries (have another 20lbs to do today). 55 pints of cherries in the food storage. Did 30 lbs Apricots & jam. Yesterday canned up 18 large pineapples got 60 pints. Trying to do a little batch of each fruit as they become available from local BC Canada orchards. Peaches will be coming soon then pears. Alot of work but at the end of the day those full jars give me so much joy.

[@miss_mish]

Thanks for the video. Love watching your children enjoy the fruits of your labour. Have a blessed week.

[@debbiesavage7107]

I have garden envy! Such abundance! 👍

[@theresasovacool2332]

I had no idea I could freeze batters… I know what I’ll be doing this weekend! Thanks. ❤

[@glendaharding4884]

Good morning my dear friend! What an incredible bounty you have there, so smart to get the breakfasts ready! Enjoy the week ahead and look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

[@KathyFitz1113]

That’s a great idea! I’ve been preserving things as they ripen, but not really having a set plan.

[@angelicas.6391]

Thanks for giving us the recipes. I saved this video so I can watch it again and write them down. Great ideas on everything!

[@Factopia776]

Jessica I must say, you are truly an inspiration! The way you manage your busy life, homeschooling eight kids, and still find time to plan and prepare for the upcoming canning season is nothing short of amazing.

[@kaybusby7507]

All the work that has been done before harvest and now getting to harvest the best warm my heart. Thank you for sharing.

[@cherylh8924]

That's what I also do, we eat from our garden and when I need more, I shop at the local farmers. I find it works for our family.

[@cherokeedancer8448]

Great idea about the batters. Thank you. Canning season is ramping up here in western MD Appalachia. Eating from the garden everyday and preserving the rest. 😊

[@dianeirvine1384]

The preparing batter. What a great idea. I’m at the other end eating things I had prepared in summer. Had to make a meal for a family the other day and it was great getting things from the freezer and storage cardboard to make life easier. I was thankful I had prepared months earlier. Thank you for the ideas.

[@sarahkendall8441]

Wow, your carrots look amazing! Thank you for the inspiration as I start a full day of preserving ❤

[@natashaluckett]

So many great ideas for breakfast treats ahead of time. I need to try freezing batters I haven't done that before thank you for the wonderful ideas. Have a wonderful blessed week.

[@aleialaw]

Those carrots look great. I bet some of those blueberries would be so good in the breakfast cookies.

[@Old.gardener]

It’s so nice to have another video from you. ❤

[@reginathompson9350]

In the last 2 months ive canned 2000+. Its wrapping up for canning as of now. Now to get the fall garden going.

[@ritahall8653]

You are a great mom

[@ethelliott5083]

Thanks Jessica, lovely to watch you and the children.

[@languagelynnie]

Your boys are going to break a few hearts one day! 😃

[@bonnie5601]

Good Morning, Jessica! My gardens are so behind! It’s been cool here in SE PA until a few weeks ago. I’m still waiting for my tomatoes to come in. Everything looks lovely at your home and the children are wonderful! God Bless!

[@brandyweidner602]

Oh hi from Jamerell & Tiffany, I hear them both suggesting you ,, So I'm new but catching up relatively fast,, God bless Happy Homesteading

[@annabarnett6544]

Jessica you are such a joy to watch ❤

[@kirstenlitton7266]

Gosh, Jessica, thanks again for your great content. I have learned and continue to learn so much from you. I've said it before, but will say it again.. you have taught me how to be more purposeful in the things I do and taught me to do so in a planned out thoughtful process. The verse, The steps of righteous man are ordered by God comes to my mind. . And God really does bless order doesn't He?! Blessings on you and your family❤🙏

[@elizaC3024]

Fabulous reminder to prepare for canning season by getting organized.

[@littlehomesteadontheprairie]

Hello Miss Jessica. I adored the cheerful faces of your children as they enjoyed their fresh garden snack. Have a glorious day! -K

[@mommabecky83]

I am so jealous of that amazing freezer!

[@juliamarple3785]

Hopefully in August it will cool down enough for me to turn on my oven! ...and then I will try those breakfast cookies. Sounds like they would be a great idea for my house. Oh duh! I could make them now, and freeze em for later!

[@aramintaverwys1934]

Hi Jessica!! Happy to see your videos pop up! Thanks for all you do. You share so much and we reap the benefits! You are awesome and always ROCK!! Your Michigan Fan and Friend Araminta 😊😊

[@ldg2655]

Is that a hair straightener that you are sealing your bags with? If so, that is a handy idea!! Your video came at a good time.. Here in SW Mo, zone 6B, our stuff has been coming in for a month or more. Right now I am SWAMPED with tomatoes, and was feeling a bit burnt out with putting them up every day.. You’ve got me inspired and energized again!

[@kimberlyblake8705]

Thank you for sharing the recipe adjustments for fresh ground vs pre-ground flour! We bought some wheat berries when they were on sale but still need to get a mill.

[@jenniferr2057]

This was great. Helpful and useful. Thank you, Jessica!

[@nutmegnutter7234]

Your kids are adorable!!!! ❤❤

[@amyhilyar1055]

Love the Wednesday videos! Every season you have so much valuable information!

[@kittyrichards9915]

West of you in Indiana. Garden is taking off!

[@janetshaffer687]

Jessica, I love how you use the term children instead of kids! You make everything look effortless ❤

[@bumblebee7922]

Great video!!! Your garden is doing so well!

[@valjalava1951]

Well you sure get a days worth of work done good for you

[@abarn9541]

Good Morning Jessica! Just finished 34 pints of pickles, and more coming in. Going to try Pineapple Zucchini this year. Dehydrator and canner going almost daily. I love watching your kids, my youngest is in his 20's and my oldest is getting married (hoping for grandkids soon!)

[@tgood9344]

Jessica what a amazing woman, wife & mother you are!❤ You inspire us all. If we had one tenth of the energy & planning skills you have we would all be much better people. I have learned a lot from you & I do try or work on getting things done for my family with preserving for future use. I work out of the home full time but I still have vegetable garden. It’s so true that there are busy seasons & with your videos I’ve learned how to do as my garden gives & plan for other preservation during the winter months especially. I also live in a similar zone so watching you gives me a type of seasonal guide. Thank you for All the work you do & on top of all that for the videos & work with that which in turn helps all of us!👍🏻🌺

[@lindajones3056]

To make room in the freezer for our bounty, I took out some chicken carcasses and a couple gallons of frozen 'scrapes' onion celery & carrot peels. Threw all of that into a electric roaster, on low heat. It cooked overnight...my house smells so good! I guess you could say I started the challenge early 😊

[@mudoh2131]

How wonderful to see baby Hannah moving around. Loved seeing Levi the helper. You are blessed with a wonderful family but that doesn't happen by chance. You are an amazing mother.

[@paulinemaclellan8204]

Hi Jessica, what a lovely video, you work so hard for your family. The children are adorable, the baby is a real cutie. You impress me a great deal. Thankyou for sharing ❤

[@cindyloguirato8435]

Great Jessica! I also pre make my crust and freeze them. Being Italian I love make a crostata which is one pie crust and can use any fruit filling or make it savory as well and it’s a free form pie which is folded in around the edges. So easy and so good!

[@barbaradavidson1950]

I love the list idea. Will help keep me on track.

[@laura01234]

I love my SouperCubes! I have (2) 2 cups and (2) 1 cups. The 2T one is on my wish list. Looks like I need to put the cookie cups in my list too! Great videos Jessica!

[@dreamingofanecholshomestea3711]

I've been saving some things in the freezer to accumulate enough to can for the challenge 😊

[@brendamillican8166]

You have such a beautiful family, with healthy, happy children. Your videos are inspiring.

[@bettyschoval3214]

your carrots look amazing ...glad to hear that the kids got the summer off too....cant wait to see all the stuff you presereve

[@stephencameron1709]

Great tips. Thank you Jessica ❤️🙏🏻Val C

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Great video. Thank you. Blessings

[@ColleenH38]

Here in the Deep South, food preservation began weeks ago. I am hoping to can peaches this weekend. Afterward, all the canning of "non-seasonal" foods resumes. I still need to can chicken soup, chicken, chicken stock, pinto beans, black beans, venison chili with the ground venison still in the freezer before hunting season begins, and beef tips. I am going to participate in your challenge in August. Certainly motivating! Have a great day!

[@SEGuest-fu2kr]

I love Georgia peaches 🍑!

[@marinesimonotti481]

It will be my first canning season and first time participating to your challenge 😊I’m excited!

[@carinthiamontana7069]

You are amazing, Jessica! Everything is so well thought through! No wonder you are getting so much done

[@theresaegbuniwe5808]

Great work as usual!!

[@MargaretUIUC]

Jessica, I was watching a video last night that made me think of you. It just popped up in my feed--I had never heard of the channel before. The woman lives in the mountains in Ukraine, and in the video she preserved strawberries, and also made what I think is cherry juice. She used a canning technique I have never seen before, and that's what made me think of you. If you want to watch it, the KZbin channel is called Food Around the World, and the title of the episode is Lonely Life in the Mountains! My sister came to visit today! Strawberry jam and pie. I know you are busy, but just in case you have a few minutes, you might find it interesting.

[@donnaowens5936]

Great breakfast ideas I’m making them all

[@tammyhaeske2016]

Thank you for another great video

[@donnaingle391]

Great preparations!

[@oliviahein7772]

Good morning! Thanks for the breakfast cookie idea; I will try those out on my kids! Maybe check the recipe because you didn't add any salt. That might round out the flavor a bit better. :)

[@justpatty7328]

Amazing motivation for me to get prepared for canning season. Thank you and God bless! ❤

[@shesgotdogs]

Wow, she sure resembles the little boys, doesn't she? 😊

[@socorromolina-sm9vy]

What a cute baby! You are n amazing Lady. I don't know how you do it.! 😃😳🥺

[@kimlettau4167]

So awesome, your bounty! Ours is coming soon! (Michigan)

[@sandrawyrick]

Enjoyed it!

[@The-Vintage-Needlecrafter]

Thanks Jessica 😊

[@carolynjordan4633]

I, want to learn how to can im to scared of the canner.your food looks so good.😊

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

This wAs so fun. Ty Jessica. Love all your videos.

[@tinakarp3996]

I just want to say "you are awesome"!! 🤩

[@threerivershomestead]

Thank you ❤️

[@lauranewell3197]

I don't know if I will be able to participate in the August canning season but I'm hoping to be back into canning and preserving this winter. I know it's kinda the off season but life is a bit...wild... especially health-wise right now.

[@DonnyLisa1]

I needed this, thank you!!

[@cathykillion6544]

Enjoyed the video

[@christylaughter1568]

I love using pickle jars for storage. I just have the hardest time removing the pickle smell.

[@rexcarebear4701]

Wash them then let them sit in the sun for as many days as it takes

[@smallspaceswithGloria]

Thanks for sharing,

[@shannonf.5350]

Jessica, you are a true inspiration in all walks of life! Can you explain to me why you use more fresh ground flour than store bought flour? I would have thought the opposite. I got a grain mill a few months ago but I am afraid I will ruin so much flour trying to figure out how much to actually add in replacement of store bought. Thank you for all you share. Blessings

[@knotqueen2419]

Thank you.