I grabbed this just as an example and research start point.
Why would you spend 5 grand on a hand pump when you could buy a generator for 300 and not lift a finger?
Maybe you'd like to not rely on electricity in this area at all. Or maybe you're worried about whatever kind of fuel the generator requires. It's just another option.
She had an old antique wood burning stove/oven that they would set up out under the big Oak Trees and would actually can all their vegetables using mason jars.
That is Okay in a water bath, not so good for a modern pressurized canner where you can't control the heat source. Phil, have you ever done any canning yourself?
At this point I am going to say don't go into home canning foolishly. A lot of the old timers got sick from canning their own food because they made mistakes.
What an idyllic picture, Phillip! I agree that lots of people on blogs and such don't know what they are doing where canning goes, and that can lead to unsafe products. But as long as one uses reputable canning recipes, from places like Ball Canning and the National Center for Home Food Preservation, there is really nothing to worry about. Obviously if you use your head, and your nose, and don't eat anything that potentially looks or smells off, I'd be pretty confident about it being okay.
My mom has been doing a lot more canning this year than in previous years, and she's been really into trying different pickles, which I've been excited about since pickles are my actual favorite food. She's made a bunch of different cucumber pickles, zucchini pickles, and dilly beans.
