Buying Back My Childhood

Wire Bale Canning Jars

Every week I try to score something special for my canning obsession and this week I did very well!

When I was a kid, my nana had some of those wonderful wire-bale mason jars that are so popular now but I was too anxious to ‘get off the farm’ to appreciate the beauty of an old jar that had a glass lid and would most likely pinch your fingers if you tried to snap it shut.  Now, I’m sorry that I lost that part of my grandmother’s life since she left me with such a rich history in canning.

Yesterday, I was able to buy back some of my childhood for just a little money.  I went to an estate sale in Norman at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.  The first thing I eyed was a fabulous, very small dunce cap or chinois strainer.  It is about 1/2 the size of the one I inherited from my nana and will be so easy to grab out of my Rubbermaid when I just want to strain a little fruit.  And the good news is I got it for $10.  He wanted $25 but I talked him down.  He had about 12 other dunce cap strainers for sale, but I only wanted the one.

Then came the pièce de ré·sis·tance !  I spied seven wire bale canning jars of varying sizes on a table over-run with old Avon bottles and back issues of Good Housekeeping magazine.  I couldn’t believe my luck!  He wanted $8 for each.  That’s $80 I didn’t really want to spend.  I wasn’t planning on actually canning in these items although with replacement rubber, they would seal just fine and be safe.  I really just wanted to decorate with them.  I had to get Mr. Flea Market down to a price I could be comfortable with and he would be satisfied with. 

I began my negotiations the way I always do, “What is your bottom dollar on all of the wire bale canning jars”.  He asked me if I canned.  I said yes.  He asked if I ever canned pickled beets.  I said yes, I had several jars on my shelf at home.  He told me I could have all seven jars for $10 if I brought him back a jar of pickled beets and homemade jelly.

I accepted his offer gladly!  Basically, I ended up with $105 worth of items for $20……what a deal!!  We ran home and I boxed him up 2 pints of pickled beets, 1 jar salsa, 1 jar spaghetti sauce and 2 jars of jelly.

He felt like he got the best deal, but I know I did!