Let the Games Begin

Maddie is such a helper. Here are some instructional photos to help anyone just starting out canning. Here is how we use the peeler to remove the skins of the peaches before bottling them. First, choose a peach to your liking. This is not the peach that Mom is forcing upon you because you previously took a bite in it. Insist on new, untouched peaches because they work much better than the peaches that already have a single bite missing. Second, take the smaller end of the peeler and press it firmly against the outside of the peach as shown in the picture. Once you have penetrated the peach, twist the peeler several times to enlarge the hole. Make sure you create enough holes to let all the juice out. Once you have created enough holes, bludgeon the peach using the larger end of the peeler while walking around the kitchen. Hold the peach up so the juice runs down your arm and drips off your elbow. This way you can control the drip and maximize the splatter by moving your elbow in random patterns above the floor, stool, and if you are lucky the carpet. Mom will be delighted to see the sticky mess you have left in your wake. Once the peach stops dripping or has lost all of its pulp, discard and select another to begin again. Good thing Mom just went to the orchard and bought 6 pecks of peaches--you can stay busy all day "helping" bottle the peaches. Enjoy!