Peach Awes-Blom

My daughter LOVES Strawberry Shortcake. I am proud of the way I have sneakily steered her away from Barbie, toward this "berry" great gal. (much as my parents did to me 25 years ago) I realize now, that they didn't want me to grow up too fast, and so they wanted me to save Barbie for when I was older. Smart parents. (not that there's anything inherently wrong with Barbie, I just think Miss Strawberry is better for my 3 year old.) Anyway, one of Strawberry's buddies is "Peach Blossom", which my daughter cannot pronounce. So she calls her "Peach Awes-blom." And I think that's "awes-blom".

And speaking of peaches....it's peach season around these parts. And on Saturday, I stopped at a market to pick up some to bottle.

As kids, my Mom would spend much of August and September bottling all kinds of things. ('cause as I've mentioned, she's kind of a Rock Star) I have fond (and not so fond) memories of helping snap beans, and husk corn, and skin peaches, and smelling pears ripening in the unfinished basement. SO YUMMY!

I, however, am not so much of a "rock star" and have given up on all home canning EXCEPT peaches. I am spoiled. And I WILL NOT eat store bought peaches. I think they're nasty. And so, each year, I bottle just enough for us to use for a year. It's not much, but this is the first year I've done it completely on my own....AND MAN WAS IT TIRING! I think I mopped the floor 6 times, and I can still feel sticky on my toes.

But I was successful. They all sealed up. (nothing better than the sound of those little "lid buttons" popping.) And now, like little squirrels, we are stocked up for the winter.

You'll never guess what we use the peaches for.
I'll tell you.
If you promise not to make mean comments.
We dip grilled cheese sandwiches in the peach juice.
Yep.
My dad did it. And I do it. And my kids do it.

(my husband thinks it's disgusting)

After the bottles had cooled for 48 hours. It was an honor, and a privilege, to be asked to use a sharpie and write the year on the top of the bottle lids. I loved that job. I got mad if my Mom did it without me. I would imagine how I'd write each number. And take my time making them all pretty.

So now, I really make them pretty.





This year I made labels for all my little beauties. I designed these cute little labels that tell me which year these peaches were bottled. (not that they ever last that long anyway!)





I printed it out on sticker paper. (I LOVE sticker paper. It's a label lover's dream) And punched them out with another of my buddies....the 2 3/4" punch. LOVE him. Last year I put labels right on the bottles. DUMB! I've had to scrape them all off. So don't do that. Just put them right on top. You have to replace those lids next time anyway.


If you'd like to make your own peach labels....I'd be happy to share....



Just click on the graphic to make it large, and then right click to save. Same rules apply. Don't sell it, or claim it as your own. And if you re-post it....make sure to link back. Thanks!

I hope your growing season is "peachy keen" and that your harvest is "Awes-blom!"

Happy Canning!