Tender Memories of Past Times

How I love the tantalizing smell of tomatoes, spices, and vinegar 

simmering hour after hour on the stove.  To me it is one of the

indications that fall is upon us.  It has been some time since I have

made Grandma Kohler's recipe for Chili Sauce and as I prepared

the tomatoes, fond memories of past times with my Grandmother,

Mother and even here is my home invaded my thoughts.  I

absolutely LOVE the smell of Chili Sauce that wafts throughout

the house.  (You can even smell it outside!)

I remember as a little girl being at my Grandmother Kohler's in

Orem and helping pick the tomatoes, carry bottles up from

the basement and watch as Grandma meticulously washed and

scalded the bottles, then peeled the tomatoes, run them through

the food grinder with onions and green peppers, tears from the 

onions running down both our cheeks.

Often as a young girl, I would return home from school to

the inviting smell of Chili Sauce emanating from our kitchen

in Midway and Mother standing over the stove stirring the 

latest batch.  There would always be a small bowl filled with 

left-overs that we could have with our dinner that night.

As I look at my kitchen counter filled with 20 pints of sauce

there is a feeling of contentment that surrounds me.  Hard

work, Yes!  But, it is so nice to think of those long empty 

shelves filling up once again.  How grateful I am this year to

have the strength and the desire to once again be in the

kitchen canning and preparing for the coming winter.  And,

for the memories associated with past canning seasons!