Justin's Ridge Homestead

Granny taught me...

Most people look at a jar of home-canned food and see a side dish. I look at it and see my Granny...

Looking at this photo of her standing in her kitchen brings back so many memories. It looks like she was making country-fried steak here!
When I was young, I remember her coming to stay the summer at our house. She would help harvest the garden vegetables that my Daddy had grown. During those long, hot summer days, she was my kitchen warden. There was no mercy for my fragile little hands. We peeled scorching tomatoes until I thought my skin would blister. We stood over a water bath canner for hours canning green beans. I stirred apple butter without stopping for a single break, absolutely terrified the whole batch would scorch and I'd get a butt woop'in, which I never did(for that anyways) Ha..ha!
I can still see her face—just like in this picture—completely focused, standing at the counter working for hours. She was a little thing, but boy, was she strong!
Back then, I just wanted to go play. I didn’t appreciate the sweat, the heat, or the aching muscles. But today, I realize everything she did was out of pure love for her family. She just wanted us to have good food.
What I would give for her to see me now. The love I have for preserving our own harvested food came from her and of course my Mom & Daddy! I never waste a single thing we grow—I can it, freeze it, or dehydrate it. I even use a pressure canner now, something I would have loved to show her.
Granny, I didn't get it then, but I get it now. Thank you for passing down a love that outlives those hot summer days. ❤️

Did anyone else learn how to cook or preserve food from a tough grandma? Tell me your favorite kitchen memories (or share your own vintage photos!) in the comments! 👇

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The meaning behind the name...

Justin's Ridge..

Nestled deep in the woods, alongside the Mitchell River, sets the peaceful, Justin's Ridge Homestead. Named after our late son, Justin. Though he isn't here physically, the remnant of his beauty remains in the whispering winds of the pine trees, and in the blooms of the honey suckles. What may seem ordinary to onlookers is a Heavenly reminder to us that life is ever so short. We took care of our beloved son for 33 years until the Lord called him home. He never spoke a word here on this earth, but he sure loved to smell his Mama's cooking the harvest of the homestead in the kitchen. His quiet presence on the homestead is still felt with every harvest, and every meal that is made is a reminder of his existence. With every pig or chicken we feed, every egg we find, and every bee we keep, we give thanks to the Lord for the 33 years we had with our son, Justin. We are so blessed to be able to continue to grow, harvest and take in the beauty of this place in his memory, that now more than ever, feels just that much closer to Heaven. Welcome to Justin's Ridge Homestead, our little piece of Heaven on earth..

Written by: Justin's Sissy~