Bridal Shower Preserves

One evening in late summer, I attended a wedding shower with a home-preparedness theme. Instead of the usual games, we canned peaches together. The hostess sterilized the jars, blanched the peaches, made syrup, and put the lids on while the shower guests worked together to peel and cut the fruit and put it into bottles. Conversation flowed freely, and our team efforts quickly filled a dozen jars.

While the fruit was being processed, the bride opened her gifts. All of them were interesting and practical. Among them was a case of salt, a first aid kit, a flashlight, wheat, and homemade jam.

Afterward, we feasted on fresh peach pie. Each guest took home an inexpensive paring knife as a favor, and the bride received the case of bottled peaches to start her year’s supply.—Elizabeth Thompson, Heber City, Utah

Illustrated by Lynn Rogers