Northwoods Woman

1.  Today in the Northern Hemisphere, we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox.  In laymen’s terms, the first day of fall.

Yes, it was very helpful of the calendar to remind me of the exact date, but Mother Nature has already been giving slight hints with the cooler temps and gradual color changes of the leaves.

Truth be told, I love fall.  I’m not crazy about the cooler temperatures, rain and imminent lighting of the wood burner, but I do enjoy the crisp air and the beautiful colors.

Well now, that makes sense, doesn’t it?

Thank about it:  It takes a little longer for light from the sun to reach certain areas depending on how far away they are in relation to the sun.

However, the equal time of night and day is pretty darn close to even.

Sorry, didn’t mean to get all scientific geeky on ya there.

3.  The terms vernal equinox (Spring) and autumnal equinox (fall) are derived from Latin.

Umm… OK.

I can sleep well tonight knowing that little tidbit.

So according to this myth, before and after the time of 7:01 a.m. ( which was the time of sunrise in my area) this amazing feat could be accomplished.  Sorry, but it’s too early for me to think about balancing eggs.  But if anyone wants to give it a try, let me know how it goes.  Send me a picture of the event if you want to and I’ll throw it on the site.  Heck, make a party of it and give us all the details

5.  Many Pagans celebrate Mabon on this day, which celebrates the second harvest and the beginning of winter preparations.  Respect is given to the impending dark while giving thanks to the sunlight.

Yep, that says it all for me.  In another month or so we will be “falling back” with our clocks, losing another hour of sunlight.  I will be counting the days until Winter Solstice when the days will start to get longer and eventually the warmer weather will arrive again.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be whining and sniveling during the next 6 months about how I wish that I could be out in 80 degree weather, working in my garden.

But that is the joy of living in the Northwoods.  I get to experience all four seasons at their fullest.

And by that right, I also have the right (and duty) to complain about each and every one of them.

But I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Now here is where I take a little extra time in preparing my tomatoes for canning:  I quarter them and squeeze the living bejeezus out of them, leaving just the meat.  If it’s a small tomato, just half it.

A good way to do this so you don’t end up with juice squirted all over yourself and the kitchen is to think of how you squeeze a lemon without ending up with the seeds in your food.  Cup it between your hands and give it a good hug.

I let all this go in my compost pile.  But hey, if you want to save it and strain it for juice, have at it!

So now you’re expecting me to be filling the jars and be done with it, right?  Sorry, it’s not that simple with me.  I need these babies to drain even more (I like thick salsa and sauce).  Into bowls they go, lids sealed tight and head straight for the fridge for the next day (or 2) until I’m ready to can.  I won’t go longer than 3 days because after that, they tend to lose that wonderful aroma and I know they’re heading south.

When I pull them from the fridge, there’s at least another cup of liquid that I can drain off.

Sorry, not a great photo, but trust me on this one… it’s there.  (Here’s a hint:  it’s on the left side.)

I give them one more squeeze and they are ready for the jars or the leading role in my salsa.

The process itself is so simple, you don’t even need to know how to can to preserve your own tomatoes in jars.  Just throw the stuff in freezer bags and thaw when needed (you’ll have some liquid from the thawing process, but you’ll know what to do).

So there you have it, Tomato Prep 101.

Another public service from your favorite blogger.

Now let’s get canning!