Domestic Guru

Do you ever get the urge to just be domestic?!  I know you do.

And so do I.  In fact, sometimes I just want to sew something, or deep-clean something, or even grow something that doesn't call me "mom."

We love planting our garden, and last year the beans grew and grew, and then shriveled and died on the vine.  Because, we learned, we don't really care for fresh, crisp green beans. Rather, I don't.  And there weren't enough to make it worth canning, so basically, they just took up room in the garden.

yes, these are my beans!

Since last year, I have collected a few boxes of pint jars.  So with all of this in mind, I planted double our usual crop of green beans. And the beans came.  And so I picked, and picked.  And when it felt like I could not possibly store another bean in my fridge, I borrowed a pressure canner and spent the day on the phone with my mom, trying to figure out how to can the "easiest thing to can."

I was shocked to learn that my gigantic bag of beans taking up so much room in my fridge, after snapping, only filled 7 pint jars.  What a let-down.  I was sure I would have at least 30 pints.   But no.  All of that work, for a measly 7 pints?  Then again, that is 7 sides for meals for our family.  Nonetheless, it was disappointing.

But we kept the canner a little longer, and I have spent some more time canning.  To this date, we have 27 pints of green beans.  I feel like a brand new mom, so proud of my little jars.  If only they were cuter...

I do wish the beans could keep the same brilliant green as when they are fresh.  Because let's be real, the canned beans look less-than-appetizing.  But truth be told, they taste great!

You know what was the best part?  The jars I collected actually belonged to my grandmother.  So while I was learning domestic skills, I kept thinking about her, and how she probably used the same jars to can some delicious apricots, beans, or jellies.  Very cool.


Am I domestic?  On most days, not so much.  But I do get these incredible urges to be domestic sometimes, and occasionally it even works out like I planned!