Every summer we work together as a family to do up some preserves. Fruit is our favourite and peaches top the entire list. This year the two youngest grandkids were extremely eager to help. Peeling the peaches looked to be the most fun. The preparations were many. The dining room table was carefully covered with layers of paper. Water was boiled for the blanching and a second bowl was filled with ice and water for cooling. The adults did the dangerous chores, with the young kids scooping the peaches from the ice water. Juniper was just old enough to handle a paring knife under her dad’s close supervision. Henry discovered that he could use his little fingers to deftly remove the fuzzy peels. A few of the first peaches were a little ragged by the time he got off every scrap of peel but he quickly got the hang of it. Amazingly, both kids kept at their tasks until we were finished. Grandpa did some peeling as well and also the slicing of the peaches. Peter filled the jars while Becke and Grandma topped up the jars with the syrup and put them through the canning process. More than seventy jars of goodness was put up to enjoy through the winter months. With all of the love added I’m sure the peaches will taste extra good this year!
