The final, final, final interior proof of Of Grief, Garlic and Gratitude was completed and approved today. Now it moves on to the “wrapping” process of designing the back cover.

After that was done, we weeded the gardens, picked produce, watered, and then decided to organize our canned goods shelves — these are the shelves of items we have canned ourselves from our own produce, etc.

From the top left corner: cider vinegar, maple syrup, cider, jellies, jams and canned juices from our grapes and blackberries. Then pickles, dilly beans, sauerkraut, pickled squash, pickled swiss chard, maple syrup for Christmas gifts (shhhh!!!!), honey, dried tomatoes, dried mushrooms, dried peppers. The a row of tomato puree then herbs. The bottom row? Dried kale and cabbage, and our dried beans.

More will be added to the shelves as we finish the harvest this year: hot sauce, salsa, more dried beans, dried garlic and onions, and then finally some dried vegetables (carrots, celery, beets, zucchini and green beans) for soups.

Phew — what a wonderful day!