Preserving a Legacy

The vanishing art of sustaining food and family is a look into the author's family. Tips, suggestions and guidelines for home canning and preservation along with family recipes, histories and memories of canning over the years. "There is not much difference when preserving food or preserving a family. Each takes PLANNING, CULTIVATION, PATIENCE, CARE and most of all it takes a great deal of LOVE. There is always room in the heart or in the larder to add one more "Something Special." It is not always guaranteed to be easy. No one says it will not be a lot of hard work. It often takes an adjustment of seasoning and for most things...becomes better with age. But the fruits of those labors are found on the faces of each loved one as the flavor (whether it be life or jam) is projected back in the way of a delighted smile. Preserving anything means a process in which that 'something' is extended. A family is an extension of the individual self to something greater, larger and with the capability to grow outside of itself. It means compromise and understanding of those new branches that entwine themselves into that garden. It does not mean that everything is always perfectly ripe with joy. In life, there are always trials, tragedies and heartbreaks, but it is the way in which we handle it. A weed in one garden is a medicinal herb for a tincture in another's. Our family is like any other typical American family. But we are fortunate to recognize how special that makes us and we strive to preserve our heritage and expand our horizons with an open mind and open-heart philosophy. How's that working for us, you ask? With a pinch of this and a smidge of that Love & Light...K"