One of my best and simultaneously worst traits is that when I get into something I really get into it.

Finally started liking avocado toast; immediately ate it till I couldn’t stand the sight of the avocado display at Hannaford.

Tried making butter finally one day; slowed down my baking process by a solid 30 minutes each week just to have that fresh stuff. (Don’t get me wrong, it’s far superior to store bought, but that’s not my point here!)

Found out how to make dupes of the Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Cookies; ruined all the weight loss progress my husband and I had made!

And while I love knowing how to do all these things, and I still partake from time to time, the point is that I can’t just try something once and stop doing it. I’m a serial hobbiest: I do & do until I can’t.

So it shouldn’t be to anyone’s surprise in my life that since getting my new canner, I’ve already stocked our pantry with 8 half-pint jars of ketchup, 6 pint jars of apple & pear sauce, 4 pints & 4 quarts of beef bone broth, and 1 pint of chicken broth.

And I could not be prouder of my little stockpile! Ask anyone who has stopped by lately – the first thing I show them is my pantry!

However, for whatever reason, this weekend I had nothing to can. I didn’t get to make anything extra. The meat department had zero sale items that I could think to use. There wasn’t anything extra special in produce. My garden is really only producing herbs and lettuce right now. And, if we’re honest, I just didn’t have the dedicated time to be in my kitchen!

So what does that all mean for me, the overachieving, high marks, productivity queen?

Well, honestly, it’s been a tough pill to swallow.

I had to remind myself that this food preservation thing isn’t just about what I can accomplish. It’s about creating a sustainable & long term system of keeping food available in my house. This isn’t a competition, I don’t have to be like those full time farmers who put up hundreds of cans each year.

I’m a woman who works full time, is a momma to two of the busiest boys on the planet, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and occasionally a good friend. My kitchen is a huge part of who I am and what I do, but it’s not all of me.

I did spend time in my kitchen, but making food to eat today. I cleaned up part of my counter that’s been making me insane (see the pretty photo above for the after). I finally organized my spices in a way that makes sense (more to come on that). I made a batch of muffins that was half eaten by noon. Mostly, though, I’ve just run in and out of my kitchen like a crazy person trying to get a few quick things to eat.

It doesn’t mean that I won’t be getting my canner out next weekend – I will. It’s a long weekend and I’ve got some ideas. But it was a good reminder this weekend that the big things take time. And they should. Taking my time, slowing down, and being more intentional is the goal. My heart & soul are craving it; now my mind needs to catch up.

Or slow down.

❤️ Peaceful days friends. Peaceful day.