Michelle,

That's how you have to do it - I started canning at the side of my friend Dean, helping him and observing the steps, listening to the cautions as he worked. I still call occasionally to ask for reminders of things I did last year but have forgotten in the meantime. You'll have a great time once you get that up and running! Sauces with meat, for example. Canned chicken (Dean makes that and it becomes an ingredient for many other dishes during the year), etc. He cans hot peppers, all sorts of good stuff that when it is in season can be purchased in bulk.

SRS