Without canning the food we grew, we would have been in a big world of hurt! Dad did the garden. It was weed pulling if you had to be disciplined for any reason! So you know we were good during the summer!
We are six kids. There were 4 long rows of green beans. The boys took a grocery bag and had to fill it up then they were done for the day. The three girls got to snap them, and fill the jars. Being oldest I got to do lids and rings. Mom was in charge of the pressure cooker. We probably did 3 of 4 loads a day. She would also put on a huge kettle for dinner. All winter we had two quarts with a dinner. Nothing finer than home canned green beans, a bit of ham, and a chunk of bread.

I was in Nicaragua for 2 years with the Peace Corps. Just plain red beans boiled up and plain white rice in a bowl with fresh crema and hot tortillas, or a bit of queso blanco, as Dr. Miller prescribes, takes me right back. Then I am home sick. Leftover rice and beans are best fried up together in a wee bit of lard, and put on a hot tortilla. That is Gallo pinto!
Great piece. thanks to all.