Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Homemaking Tip—He Thought He Could


I found The Little Engine that Could by Waddy Piper for 25 cents at a garage sale last weekend. It looks just like my original book and I was so glad to find it for one of our kids.

Remember as the little blue engine puffed his way up the side of the mountain with good food to eat and nice toys to play with for the good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain, he panted, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”? Then, as he came down the other side of the mountain he chugged, “I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.”?

I don’t know if Calvin’s mom read him that book when he was a little boy or what, but somehow, somewhere “I think I can and I thought I could” got stuck in his head. The first time I heard him pull this out was when I was in labor with Cali. He thought he was being encouraging. He thought he was being a good coach. He said: “You can do it, millions of other women have done it.” And, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” And, “Just tell yourself, ‘I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.’” (For the record, not a one of those things made it any easier. In fact, I think I suggested he sit down and read his hunting magazine.)

Well, twenty five years later, I’m canning grape juice FROM CALVIN’S GRAPES. He has planted grapes at every home only to move before they started producing. He just kept starting over and planting new ones at each house. Last year we thought we’d have our first good yield but the birds ate them. This year, he nabbed them before the birds could and said, “If they’re bitter we’ll just add more sugar.” So, here’s to Calvin thinking he could do it and doing it.

Homemaking Tip: Grape juice concentrate is the easiest thing in the world to can if you have a stainless steel juicer. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to can, start with grape juice. You can find juicers at kitchen stores or on-line.

Have you ever canned grape juice? Do you even like it?
Did your husband say something that didn't help very much when you were in labor?

18 comments:

Anita said...

When I was in labor with Tracy, my hubby, in all his dumbness, said that if I screamed he would leave! We could hear all the other ladies screaming and it was really unnerving him. I retorted right back that I would scream if I wanted and if he left he might just as well keep going because he couldn't come back. Now, 34 years later, I guess he decided against leaving! And I didn't scream!

http://stampinwithanita.com/

Amy said...

Jane!!!! I've truly been out of blogging for too long because I *just* realized that your new format includes comments.

Congrats on your grapes and having a husband who "can"! I'm trying to think of a clever way to link that to your "canning" of said grapes, but it's 3:49 and I'm so beneath clever right now. :)

Carolyn said...

I haven't canned my own juice, or bottled it or whatever...but I have had some of yours. You brought it to seminary one time and it was amazing. Oh how I loved that day!

Jill said...

I have never canned anything, but Michelle cans grape juice most years and it is the best tasting drink ever!

As for my husband "helping" while I was in labor...the image of him sitting there eating the lunch they brought for him while I was hugely uncomfortable and then the nurse saying "How is it?" and before I could answer he said "It's great!" We still laugh about that.

Kathy’s Korner said...

Yes, every year for over 30 years. One year I was canning it out side and I broke a steaming hot quart on my foot, badly burning it. The Dr. took the skin off a couple of days later, I had my foot propped up, it looked like raw hamberger and was twice its normal size. When my husband walk in from work I said, "oh you ought to see this." He bent over and took a good look and said, "does this mean I don't get dinner"? I was stunned, until I realized he was being funny. Up until then I didn't know, but every thing he says is funny. About three years ago I burned the same foot, Dr Warner says that canning grape juice is injurious to my health, but I can it anyway! We LOVE it!

tina said...

I've never canned juice. I have only started in the world of canning with some peaches. Some friends of ours have invited us to come make apple cider with them though so that should be fun, I think.

Becky said...

"told him to sit down and read his hunting magazine"! Still chuckling over that one :)

I've never canned grape juice...I wonder if anyone at my house would drink it...

Elizabeth said...

Canning grape juice seems like a great idea. You could use it to sweeten so many things.

Darla said...

Janey Payney....
While attending lamaze to get educated about child birth.. I learned the farmous "HEE,HEE,HAW,HAW"... Till tis day I can remember Jeff in my face trying to make me say those wise words... *lol* I can also remember telling him politely of course to get out of my face & to quit repeating those ridiculous words *loL*
As for canning grape juice, yes, I have but that is one of my favorite memories of my Grandma Jackson.. they had 2 rows of Concord Grapes... she would juice them down and make me grape jelly.. .it was amazing.. Thanks for bringing back the memory.

Julie said...

I've always wanted to do grape juice but I'm never in a place that has good grapes. Maybe in a couple of years I'll be there and can do it with you! Today I canned applesauce for the first time instead! If I run out of jars (to buy them here is $5 per pint jar) can I freeze some of it? Does it get runny when it defrosts? This would fall under Camry's category of you knowing all!

Anonymous said...

Before the epidural with Mya I was squeezing Linc's hand through a contraction and he said, "That's all you got? It must not hurt too bad yet."

I LOVE canned grape juice. It was one of the first things I learned how to can and still one of my favorite things to open up on a chilly January morning. The birds got our grapes this year for the most part, but my parents let me can their concords and I am just waiting for that first freeze!

melanie said...

Yum, I love canned grape juice. I haven't ever done it, it seems over my head. One year maybe but I'm not telling Milo about the grapes. He might want to plant them at our next house.

Oh and Milo told me to 'hurry' when Nathan was almost born. Uh, yeah that's what I was trying to do! He definitely got an eye roll, I wish he'd of had a hunting magazine, ha!

Karolynn said...

I can grape juice every year. I also make grape jelly, it is amazing! My grapes are not ready yet. I hope the birds don't get them.

Kim Sue said...

haven't tried to can anything but those grapes look wonderful...I know you are going to enjoy all winter

jenny said...

I can totally relate to that laboring story. That really is funny. I remember Doug trying to be so encouraging and finally I said with I am sure some evil eye--please just be quiet!

Those grapes look amazing. How I wish I were closer. Grape juice is my kids favorite and me being the mean mom never let them have it because it stains!

Barb said...

I remember juicing grapes with my mom, but all I've ever juiced is crab apples.

Alisa said...

I love canning grape juice but have not done it since I lived in UT (its been about 7 years.)
Everytime I have done it, I always forget about the water in the bottom of the pan, and let it run out. I end up scorching the bottom of the pan each and every time. I finally figured out the last time to put marbles in the pan, so I could hear them rattle when the water was low!

And about labor and birth- They are the most special spiritual times with my husband. Seriously.
He is the best labor support there is. When everyone else thinks I can't do anymore, or is ready to seek some kind of intervention, he stands true to what I want, and believes in me. (even when I am doubting myself) And when its all said and done, he is almost as exhausted as I am. He works hard!

michelle said...

I do can grape juice! It is the easiest thing in the world to do and it is SO delicious. We love it.

My husband did a lot of things that didn't help me much during labor! When I was laboring with Eva, he had food poisoning and was curled up on the couch. (Not his fault, but I was still mad.)