Jars: Trash or Treasure?
by Rachel Tayse • September 23, 2010 • Eco-friendly, Family, Preserving • 10 Comments
This crate of jars was given to me by my mother who received it from my paternal grandmother. What does this look like to you? Trash?
To me, it was a box full of potential. I know Grandma Joyce is a collector of stuff. Out of the box of miscellaneous jars, I decided not to keep many of unknown origin or with chipped rims. After a little digging and sorting, look what turned up:
Nearly two dozen usable canning jars. Of course they will all need new lids, which I buy every time I can.
I found some of my very favorite jar style in that box. I adore these squat squared half pint jars. They are shaped differently than anything I can buy new and the flat back side gives a lovely view of what is canned inside.
Using inherited or thrifted jars adds a whole new dimension to the preservation effort. As I’m milling applesauce, coring tomatoes, or stirring jam, I often wonder what the life was like of the woman or man who used the jars before me.
Were they preserving out of necessity or hobby? Were they making a special family recipe or trying something new? Were they working alone with babes underfoot, alongside their teenage children, or with a group of friends as my mother used to do? Of course, I will never know the situations for most vintage jar in my stash.
I can guess with relative assurance that anyone who went to the pains of home canning some time ago would be delighted to know that someone is still using their jars and practicing the art of food preservation.
This post is part of Simple Lives Thursday.
My wife and I are doing the same thing right now – we have a ton of vintage jars from her grandma’s house, and we’ve been scouring the antique malls for more. I love those old jars!
Treasure for sure! I get all happy just looking at your canning jars.
Treasure! Those old jars are great!
I always think people that buy new canning jars are nuts, on several levels. Where I live people practically give away canning jars. Our thrift stores won’t even take them. Somehow I always feel happier using the older, heavier jars, continuing their journey. I love the short squat half-pints too.
I recently came across some pint and half jars! Such a treasure!
Oh my gosh, those are absolute treasures. I love all my vintage canning jars, so much more interesting than the anonymous ones you can buy today.
What a score! Those jars are beautiful! I can’t wait to see what you put in them – and thanks for linking in to Simple Lives Thursday!
I made my first batch of blackberry freezer jam with canning jars, new lids and rings left behind by an old roommate. I loved being able to use her cast offs to preserve my sweet little treasures.
Oh, what lovely jars! And what a beautiful thing that you can carry on with the jars in the same way your grandmother had.
I received a whole bunch of jars when my MIL passed away this summer – full of delicious jelly and salsa – I love knowing they were hers!