tiny happy

making journal

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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

saucy

February 3, 2011

I always feel part farm wife-part squirrel whilst chopping plums and tomatoes and digging out the preserving pan, but the truth is I've always loved bottling things (I grew up on a farm with an orchard and used to help my Mum with such jobs.) This week I made some tomato sauce (like ketchup- from this recipe) and some other tomato sauce to use on pasta, etc. For that one I used a recipe similar to this. Then I was given another bag of red plums and while the smell of vinegar was already permeating the house and the flies were still swarming through the open door, I thought why not make plum sauce, too? We'll be glad of it later in the year, I'm sure.

There is a strange satisfaction in the putting away of food like this (and I love giving bottles and jars of things to my friends too) but there's nothing quite like the relief of hearing the lids pop and seal. I've had my fair share of bottling disasters that leave me with the resolution that supermarket sauce is not so bad after all.

I heard an interview on National Radio this morning with legendary NZ cook and food writer Alison Holst. At one point the discussion focused on the current state of cooking and 'homemaking' in our society, and how most people these days can't sew on a button or make proper dinners from scratch, and how we must be ready for a resurgence in these skills again. (With more than a little hint that feminism could be blamed.) Is it just me, or has that resurgence well and truly happened already? I am proud to call myself a jam-maker and a feminist. It is possible!

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49 responses to “saucy”

Hadley

February 3, 2011

Yes, I agree: why should there be any cognitive dissonance between the concepts of homemaker and feminist? Makes no sense.
I love making preserves and sauces. Peach jam is my favorite to eat, though the stickiest to make. I love the labels on yours! ❤

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Emily

February 3, 2011

I think it’s absolutely possible! Beautiful looking plum sauce.

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Nancy Cook

February 3, 2011

Plum sauce sounds truly amazing.
I agree that one can be both a homemaker and feminist though sadly I don’t think a lot of women see it that way yet – maybe someday. I am happy to call myself the same

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Kirsty

February 3, 2011

I agree.
Your sauces look gorgeous. We’re just working on a batch of fig jam over here.
🙂

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Clare

February 3, 2011

Oh I missed that interview, I might have to see if I can find it online. And yes, I do think the ‘resurgence’ has begun 😉

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annri

February 3, 2011

so productive!
on the homemaker & feminist front, it is safe to say that you (and many) are ahead of the trend. 🙂

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paula

February 3, 2011

I recently made green tomato pickle, I must say I feel pretty chuffed looking at those little jars I filled myself 🙂

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Miss Smith

February 3, 2011

I heard that interview too, I listened to it while I bottled the blackcurrant jelly, with my sewing stuff strewn all over the table. I thought, Alison Holst really needs to come for a cup of tea at my house to restore her faith in the under-40 generation and their domestic abilities!

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Joanne Foot

February 3, 2011

I’m another that breathes a little sigh of relief when the popping start happening. It is music to my ears too 😀 Only three, thankfully small, jars haven’t sealled so far this ‘season’. Was forced to sample straight away 😉
I think the resurgence is well under way… or maybe it is just the cirlces that I move in LOL

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Sara

February 3, 2011

The assumption that one can’t be both a homemaker and a feminist sounds to me that one is assuming that a homemaker is and must always be a woman. Plus, even if we assume that a homemaker is a woman, we must notice that the “inability to sew a button” doesn’t apply only to women and buttons. It also applies to modern men who can not use a screw driver or change a car battery by themselves. So, I suppose that the resurgence of handy practical skills must come (or is already here) for both sides, and hopefully without so much sexual division/limitations. I find that I am as skilled (and driven!) to change my boyfriends car battery as he is to cook me a proper dinner, and this leaves little room for feminist or, more generally speaking, sexist comments.
I hope this made sense and was not rude in any way – although I read a lot in english I am not currently used to write this much, or about such delicate matters and my vocabulary may have failed me a wee bit.

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tinyhappy

February 3, 2011

your english is perfect, sara! i agree, these assumptions are often made with the idea that its women who cant sew or cook anymore but i dont think that was actually specified in the interview i heard. i was just thinking that almost everyone i know like, or are at least capable of, cooking and sewing on a button, regardless of their gender or generation.

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Carrie @ Rhubarb Sky

February 3, 2011

Oh Melissa! Just today, after returning home from a second spring/summer in your neck of the woods, I dug into our deep freezer and found (treasures!) some green beans, broccoli, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, jam, cooked from scratch black beans and other local, happy foods I’d stocked away from last summer. I’ve had a few too many disasters on the home canning front, but freezing? Why yes, I’m excellent at freezing. We were so fortunate to get two rounds of fresh, local strawberries last year (once up here in the Northern Hemisphere and of course, some from your very own yard in the Southern Hemisphere) that I nearly keeled over with joy in finding some “squirreled” away in our freezer.
Miss Abby is quite good at reminding me to go “shopping” in our own cupboards and freezer: “Mama, don’t we have some blueberry jam somewhere? It would be lovely on these pancakes!”
Enjoy those tomatoes. We’ve got a ways to go for fresh tomatoes around these parts.
xoxo

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Marty

February 3, 2011

My husband loves to can and preserve-much more than I do. So much for feminism!

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M-A

February 3, 2011

I agree there has already been a resurgence in domestic crafts among younger people. Learning to cook healthy food ‘from scratch’ might go some way to curb our obesity epidemic as well, instead of relying on ready made packaged concoctions full of salt and god only knows what else. I even come across recipes for baked goods with salt. Very rarely did baking contain salt in the 70’s, yet modern recipes seems to require it. I usually never add salt to baking when it’s listed as an ingredient, and found my palette has easily adapted to tasting less salt.
I learned domestic skills, like you, from my mother on the farm, and I’m in the (just) over 40 age group. When flatting as students, we all knew how to cook from scratch, and did so every night of the week, males and females alike. It was just what we did. I find it so odd when people proudly announce they can’t cook. I can’t imagine what they eat.
While my mother was alive my father and brothers generally stayed out of the kitchen, but they must have been paying attention as now they are all willing and skilled cooks, bakers, and preservers by necessity. And I think they actually like creating their culinary concoctions!

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Marty

February 3, 2011

I’m with you-I do wonder what people who can’t cook eat nowadays. It can’t be good!

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Melissa Montee

February 3, 2011

agreed! well said.

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Jo

February 3, 2011

Oh I love your jars and labels 🙂 I spent yesterday turning a glut of tomatoes into a curry sauce which I have frozen. I’m thinking of making soulemamas carrot and tomato soup with the rest…or perhaps i’ll make your sauce!

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Stephanie

February 3, 2011

Excellent thought about the men and screwdrivers. My husband can use tools, but he’s definitely not as good at knocking stuff together or fixing stuff up as our dads are. I think it’s because he spends most of his spare time on the computer. He’s fab at putting together our dinners from scratch, though! ;o)

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anissa ljanta

February 3, 2011

hear hear! i do a good line in aprons thess days too…

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Helen

February 3, 2011

I’d love to learn how to bottle and can. I collected some jars from my MIL to make lemon honey not long ago but it never seems to eventuate. Your jars look so pretty I really must make time to do it!

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louana

February 3, 2011

Wow your preserves look amazing. While I feel there is a return to some more “homemaking” activities, I’m always a bit surprised when friends make comments about my crafting and baking etc (like why bother? and when would I find the time etc). I think it could be the same people doing the same things, just a bit more proudly and out in the open more.

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Karen

February 3, 2011

The resurgence is happening for sure, at least at Struan Farm. I’ve just made strawberry, plum, blueberry and apricot jams over the holidays, so you’re not alone!

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Karen

February 3, 2011

I was a bit bothered that the bargain jars I purchased from a certain discount chain didn’t pop in large numbers, while the more expensive Briscoes jars did….oh well, I’ve learned my lesson on that score this year!

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Kielz

February 3, 2011

My best preserving tip of the year is to get a bbq with a gas hob. SImmers away outside – keeping you cool and the house smell free!

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julie

February 3, 2011

I agree, feminism is about doing what’s right for you and choosing what you do, and if making jam or sewing are what you choose, then it’s fine.

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Lauren

February 3, 2011

The resurgence has well and truly started, helped along by people who have kept the interest in “nana-technology” bubbling along under the surface for decades. (If you read Earth Garden or Grassroots – Australian publications – you’ll see that tasks that require screwdrivers, hammers, preserving jars, buttons and an understanding of what exactly happens to a seed once it’s in the ground have never gone “out of fashion” among an enthusiastic sector of the community.) And, in my mind, this resurgence is being helped along by a climate in peril, and people’s weariness with a marketing monster that is urging us to consume consume consume and stuff the consequences.
You can be a feminist (whether you’re male or female) and still want to know how to sew your own clothes, or cook your own food, or build your own house. In my mind these things are the ultimate acts of equality – lighten the load you’re imposing on the earth and others, take responsibility for your own life, rather than relying on people in sweatshops to sew your buttons on, or farmers slaving during the drought to grow your food.
Powerful are those who can sew on a button, I say!

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Eva

February 3, 2011

I’m just coming to the end of the blackberry and strawberry jam I made last year, in fact we made some shortbread with it yesterday. It’s great how opening one takes away the cold for a few moments. It’s chilly up here in England.
I agree, homemaking and feminism can coexist. Feminism to me means having choices, and it is nice now that women can make the choice to sew, cook etc without feeling embarrassed, and be strong enough to keep from making it a secret in case they are seen as less feminist. True feminism surely.

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GRACIA AND LOUISE

February 4, 2011

Plum sauce, plum jam, plums off the tree… yep, I love all things plum. I agree, I like having such things put away in store. Wishing that I had enough tomatoes to make a relish. Next time.

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Margaret Oomen

February 4, 2011

i will grab my apron and stand by your side in solidarity

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Andrea

February 4, 2011

Me too–Feminist Jam Makers of the World, Unite!

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meredith

February 4, 2011

i think the idea that one can’t be both a homemaker and a feminist is really the heart of the anti-feminist movement (or else debated by those who don’t understand what feminism really is). feminism is about equality of roles, duties, and opportunities, about doing the home canning and having meaningful work outside of the home too. in our house, i do the canning, and my husband does the dishes. 🙂 have you read Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes? it is on my to-read list. i have read some of her articles (google her and you will find them), and i think that she speaks rather eloquently on this subject.

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Maribeth

February 4, 2011

Here, here! Yes, we are making homes and working on equality at the same time. I studied all the feminist scholars in college. Most of the seminal texts were from the 1960s and early 1970s. I do understand the impulse many of these women had to escape the home – which at the time had become pretty oppressive. But, we are ready for some solid, current scholarship, I think. Kind of exciting to imagine.

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Bridget

February 4, 2011

Is it more of a city vs country thing. I live in the country and at the local Playcentre the mums all seem to do preserving no matter what age they are. They pick blackberries and harvest mushrooms from the wild too.
Maybe the city girls are letting the side down!
And on the feminism side of things, sure girls can do anything, but they can choose to be in the kitchen if they want to!

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Kate

February 4, 2011

feminism and jam making, making generally, to me is about competence, enjoyment, usefullness and community so I see no disparity between the two. in fact, I’ve just joined a sewing class where a number of ‘just turned 30’ year olds were wanting to re-visit the skills of their mothers. hurrah for the resurrgence!

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geraldine

February 4, 2011

I love making preserves – it’s marmalade time, and I have my Seville oranges, so that’s a job for Sunday. I love your labels! I will have to find a little person to write some for me, not haivng a little person of my own!

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Emma

February 4, 2011

thanks for the inspiration Melissa! Today I went into town and there was a stall selling huge bags of ripe plums 🙂
Emma x
ps I can’t see why being able to do things for your self and being self reliant is incompatible with being a feminist!

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flowerpress

February 4, 2011

Jam-making feminist here too and hopefully raising another one 😉

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Carrie @ Oh Baby O

February 4, 2011

Absolutely! Feminism is about choice! I choose to be a homemaker! I’m with you, I think we’re defintely seeing a resurgence in domestic skill, and skills in general. It seems many people are becoming interested in creating with their hands again (and it isn’t just women). 😉 It’s all very exciting

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Karen

February 4, 2011

Im very proud of my 21 year old daughter who makes great meals , especially now her baby is starting on solids. . Rachel and her partner are renting and now realize you have a budget to work around.
They are doing a great job.
Having your children go flatting is a great learning curve.

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Molly

February 4, 2011

I don’t know this Alison Holst, but I adore your staking claim to these two “opposites”. Feminist jam-makers of the world, unite! (I’ll bring the bread and butter 🙂

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Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow

February 4, 2011

It seems such a shame that the whole “homebaking and craft” is kinda laughed at by the “so~called progressive~minded” women ~ all I can say to that is “they don’t know what they’re missing”!!!! (There’s a real sense of satisfaction and achievement doing the whole “homemaking” thing!)

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kaylovesvintage

February 4, 2011

looks like you are start nesting for the winter
( keeping some summer in the jar)

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Sara

February 5, 2011

I’m very glad you think my English is alright =)
Many people are adding their ages to illustrate, so I might as well do the same. I’m 22 and my bf is 25, and we grew up in flats instead of farms, playing with Lego’s and video games instead of picking strawberries to make jam. But that’s just my point, none of this is a good excuse to the “I can’t I can’t I can’t” epidemics, since even video games develop hand dexterity, and also since most 40/50 year old mothers cook from scratch and we’ve grown seeing them do so, and our fathers, in the 50-60 age group can do a little carpentry or electricity or some other traditionally male crafts. So, why do most people my age just buy frozen pizzas for every day of the week, use safety pins to “hem” their jeans and pay for delivery and assembly of IKEA furniture?
Also, cooking and assembling IKEA-style furniture by oneself is considered cool and reason to be proud, but sewing and carpentering is considered geek and futile.

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Steph Hamilton

February 5, 2011

Totally agree! Part of the problem with our society is that we feel the compulsive need to “label” things (and I don’t mean your lovely jars!) and people and put them into little categories without a hope of escaping!!
We can be feminists while still empowering ourselves by becoming self sufficient and setting good examples for our children. With the current global food situation and continuing environmental crisis, it is crucial that we get back to basics. Well done to you for the inspiration!!
I love your jars, I just recently got into preserving and am hooked! I did the same and had my daughter label the jars, she had fun doing it! Love the sound of opening a new jar! Satisfaction like no other!!

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Rose

February 7, 2011

Hi! I come from a long line of sewers, knitters and food-from-scratch makers who also happened to live in cities. My grandmothers and great-grandmothers made their own things from necessity. My mother was a full-time mum and feminist for many years. In my case, I try to make my own things as much as possible because I am worried about the social and environmental consequences of mass-production, and the disconnection between worker, object and consumer that, to me, seems to occur in that context.
Incidentally though, the reaction from other people has always been overwhelmingly positive. Many, many women my age (in their twenties/early thirties) seem to want to learn how to sew, knit and bake!
One thing that has occured to me is that when you do these things (especially when you use vintage patterns and fabrics like Melissa does), I believe you are somehow creating a connection with women of the past. In other words, in pursuing activities that are traditionally defined as “feminine”, you are perpetuating memory, inheritance and legacy in a very positive sense. This, to me, seems like a rather feminist thing to do!
Thank you very much Melissa, for this beautiful blog.

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tinyhappy

February 7, 2011

thank you, rose!

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bianca

February 8, 2011

I live in an apartment and nothing makes me happier than getting bags full of fresh fruit and vegies from my nannas garden. Thankyou so much for the tomato sauce recipe : )

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Sarah

February 11, 2011

I’m a jam-making, embroidering, knitting, home-cooking feminist with a full-time job outside the home as well. I’m also pretty handy with a screwdriver and can and do change my own tapwashers and oil. I don’t think there needs to be a dichotomy between homemaking and feminism, or that any of those tasks need to be gendered in any way. Surely we can get to a point where as people we’re all capable of doing the things that nurture and sustain us according to our inclination and abilities?

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tinyhappy

February 11, 2011

well said, sarah!

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