Jelly Canning with Ms. Sam- a video tutorial!

 So, I made a video tutorial on how to can jelly. What, you say, the Ms Sam who hates to have her picture taken did a video?! Um, yes. The homeschool curriculum company that I write for asked me to do a blog post and video on canning. I considered it, very dubiously. Then I realized that I could be all alone in my little kitchen, talking to an invisible person, and do what I do normally. Which is cook.

Well, I figured that I talk to imaginary people in my kitchen all the blessed time, so that wouldn't be too hard, would it? Turns out I had to enlist my youngest, who was luckily home at the time, to push the button on the camera and then artfully slink away. He was such a good sport.

Then I went to my oldest son to ask him to stick my bits together and put it on the homeschool site. The first thing he mentioned was the length of my video. "You know it's almost thirty minutes, right?" I probably looked guilty. But I didn't want him to cut any out, because what I videoed was basically everything I teach my cooking class when we do canning. And after that we go on to can not just jelly, but fruit compote and herbed tomatoes. So, Dear Reader, it is lengthy. But as hokey as it may be, I really feel that it is a very comprehensive guide to beginning canning.

Then my son asked me what my YouTube channel was. Complete glazed horror was his answer. I had no idea it couldn't just be stuck in the tiny corner of the world that is the homeschool site. I told him that I had changed my mind. That I didn't want it out there for anyone to see. And what if people said ugly things about how I talked or how unintelligent I seemed? By then I was breathing too fast and told him I was feeling sick. He was unsympathetic and simply said, "It's done. It's out there."

And there you have it, Dear Reader. If you choose to see it, you will have a rarity the equivalent of a Bigfoot sighting. I am slightly smaller, but just as hairy. But honestly, I did my best and I hope that you find it helpful in your attempts to make jelly. I start with all the basic equipment needed and continue on through the canning process. I also show how to tell if your jars are sealed properly or not, and other tips.

If you prefer to read my instructions for canning and simply look at pictures, the link to the homeschool post I wrote is here: http://areasonforhomeschool.com/jelly-making-made-simple/

And below is the video. But first you have to raise your right hand. Do it. Now is when you swear not to leave any comments about how hick I sound and what a goofball I am. It would hurt my tiny feelers terribly and I would cry salty tears. And no, I'm not kidding...



  Recently, the homeschool group approved me making a biscuit video. Admit it, you really need a delicious holder for all that jelly you'll be making. So I guess I'll be seeing ya'll again soon-