Green and Blue (BBB) | Chickens in the Road

Feb
20

My new babies–a blue pint Ball jar and a green quart “1858″ Mason. The blue Ball jars were discontinued in 1937, and according to the Ball jar dating page (neat page–see here), the lettering on this jar dates it to between 1923 and 1933.

The 1858 on old Mason jars refers to the date of the patent by John Mason and the jars were made, imprinted with this date, into the 1900s. While I can’t nail down the exact date for this quart jar, the simple block print lettering and green glass suggest somewhere in the early 1900s. Air bubbles in the glass are also always an indicator of a true vintage jar.

Both of these jars come with the once-popular zinc screw-on caps.

Love them, love them, love them! Thank you to Lisabeth Olson who sent them to me!! (With goodies inside to boot! By the way, that’s why the jars don’t look particularly clean above–I just emptied them to take photos then put the contents back. Lisabeth sent me some dried tomatoes and fruit!)

***

It’s a Ball Blue Book Project day! Today’s Ball Blue Book is sponsored by Lisabeth Olson in honor of her grandmother, who raised three grandchildren in addition to her own seven children, along with her husband on a small farm in Virginia. She canned almost all of their food for the winter in her old Presto pressure canner, made clothes, and quilted.

For a chance to win: Leave a comment on this post and let me know you want it. You can just put (BBB) at the end of your comment or otherwise note that you want to be in the draw. One winner will be drawn by random comment number to receive a Ball Blue Book. Eligible entry cut-off is midnight Eastern (U.S.) time tonight (February 20). This post will be updated with the winner by 9 a.m. Eastern (U.S.) time tomorrow (February 21). Return to this post to claim your book if your name is drawn (or check the BBB Winners List).

Find out more about the Ball Blue Book Project and become a sponsor.

UPDATE 02/21/11: The winning comment number, drawn by random.org, is #35, Carmen at Old House Kitchen. Email me at CITRgiveaways(at)yahoo.com with your full name and address for shipping!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO ENTRY.

More posts you might enjoy:

136 Responses
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2-20
4:25
am

Yes, BBB please!

Richelle

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2-20
6:24
am

I love those old jars too — BBB please — thanks!

Jean - MN

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2-20
6:47
am

Beautiful jars! BBB!

Kathy in FL

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2-20
7:31
am

Love those jars! (BBB)

Amy

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2-20
7:31
am

BBB please!!

Rachel

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2-20
7:33
am

Awww . . . those are the most beautiful jars! BBB please!

prayingpup

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2-20
7:37
am

I would love to win the BBB!! Thanks for the opportunity!

Roz

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2-20
7:42
am

I would love to win the BBB!

mary ellen

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2-20
7:59
am

LOVE the jars! I never saw a green one before. BBB please…thank you, Lisabeth and Suzanne!

brookdale

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2-20
8:04
am

BBB,please.

patrice

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2-20
8:14
am

Dear Suzanne, thank you for letting me know you got the package. I hope you can use everything in the box. DON’T ENTER ME. Thank you again

holstein woman

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2-20
8:16
am

bbb book please

jim

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2-20
8:32
am

Lucky you, beautiful jars and some homemade goodies.
BBB pretty please.

Anke

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2-20
8:32
am

oohhh…this would be great! The jars look lovely! BBB please :-)

heidinawrocki

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2-20
8:36
am

PlEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE Pick ME for the BBB :-)

Gem

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2-20
8:42
am

I would love a BBB to.:)

Sharon :)

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2-20
8:42
am

BBB! : )

Jeanne

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2-20
8:43
am

Love the new jars! BBB, please! Thanks : )

rileighsmom1

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2-20
8:47
am

BBB Please.

Connie

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2-20
8:47
am

Please put me in the drawing…..I want it!

Linda

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2-20
8:48
am

I have one of the old blue jars, and just love it. I put old pecans and hickory nuts in it from my old home back in Missouri.
Would love to have the book please. BBB
Suzanne

Window On The Prairie

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2-20
8:50
am

Oh yes, BBB please! Pretty jars too. My great-greandpa had a dairy farm and I’m always looking for Kurrle Dairy jars.

lilac wolf

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2-20
8:55
am

In honor or a wonderful woman whom cared for family by canning, sewing and quilting. BBB please

Peggy

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2-20
8:58
am

BBB PLEASE….

Luann

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2-20
8:59
am

I would love to have this BBB, please

Alison Yusufzai

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2-20
8:59
am

I have some of these that I have found in antique shops. I also have some half gallon ones with the old glass tops w/bail wires. Love them! I use those for storing different flours like rye and buckwheat. (BBB) please!

Bonnie W.

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2-20
9:03
am

Me, please! I’d love a BBB!

Denise :)

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2-20
9:03
am

These jars are art and memories. BBB

Skip On Stars Farm

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2-20
9:05
am

Interesting…I have never seen a green jar before but have seen lots of blue. I wonder if they are more plentiful in specific parts of the country (or maybe I just haven’t paid attention?)

Please sign me up!

Leah's Mom

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2-20
9:06
am

Beautiful jars!BBB please….

Judy

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2-20
9:07
am

What beautiful jars! And the sponsor today reminded me a lot of my own childhood…raised by a grandmother who birthed 7 of her own and then adopted four more. She and my grandfather raised and preserved most of our food. It was even in Virginia! Count me in for BBB!

Leenie Hobbie

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2-20
9:10
am

most excellent gift on the jars and contents . I remember them from when I was a kid. There were many up in our old nasty attic crawl space.. would love to win the BBB as we are beginning a library through our local food/ ministry place

dilli

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2-20
9:12
am

I’d love to win- BBB please!

Jennifer S

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2-20
9:13
am

Love the jars….count me in BBB

Melissa (N4M)

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2-20
9:16
am

I have an old green jar like that, too! Love them! Please enter me! BBB!

Carmen at Old House Kitchen

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2-20
9:16
am

I’d not seen the blue jars previously…very pretty! BBB entry please.

Lee in KY

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2-20
9:17
am

Those jars are beautiful. Saw some yesterday but the man wanted way to much for them, so I had to pass. They were the blue ones.

Would love to have a BBB.

Renee

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2-20
9:18
am

Aren’t the bubbles in the jars wonderful?!! Love those jars! Would love to learn how to can. BBB,for me please.

windspiritwhimsies

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2-20
9:20
am

What I love about these old jars is not just how amazingly vintage and great to look at but I think about what went into them over the year….pickled okra if you were in the south, apple butter from New England, chow-chow if you were from Pennsylvania (like my ancestors). One of the great thing about vintage is the history of where the items have been and who might have used them…that’s what makes them special. It’s almost as if whoever used them – and chances are they’ve been used many dozens of times – carefully filled them, fed the contents to their families, cleaned them carefully and put them away for the next time.

Ellen in DE

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2-20
9:21
am

I forgot to put BBB

Ellen in DE

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2-20
9:40
am

Good Morning!

It would be my honor to win the BBB jars. Celebrating RODEO this week in Tucson, Long Live COWBOYS!Janie

Janie Villareal

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2-20
9:43
am

What a great gift! I think I’m envious!!! BBB Pleas

Deni

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2-20
9:47
am

love those jars, BBB

marymac

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2-20
9:50
am

Love those old jars. We have one with the old style lid. Will have to look at that list. Thanks for the info. Oh and PLEASE
O PLEASE O PLEASE pick me for the BBB.

Deb

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2-20
9:51
am

BBB

Hamp Girl

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2-20
9:51
am

I wish those jars could tell us what has been in them and who put it in there……BBB please

annabel52

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2-20
9:51
am

Oh how I love those jars – they are so vintage and so beautiful. I am just so jealous. I do have some of the old zinc lids that I am saving in case I ever find a vintage jar. They are so precious – if I am drawn Suzanne just draw again because I won a BBB on another site – can’t believe it – and I must say I just love the BBB. It is chocked full of wonderful things to can and I can’t wait for summer.

Brenda E

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2-20
9:59
am

Very neat jars. BBB, pleaase!

Kat J. - Arizona

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2-20
10:10
am

BBB

Barbara W

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2-20
10:12
am

Lovely jars! BBB

viggie

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2-20
10:13
am

Just beautiful. We found an old very large pickle jar (not Ball or Mason), no lid, yesterday. Amazing how something like that can stay intact in the ground for so long. Please enter me too!

EightPondFarm

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2-20
10:14
am

Those jars are just WONDERFUL!!! I would love to win the jars. I’m enjoying all my canned goodies from last years garden. Thanks Suzanne for promoting the farm good life.!!

Patty

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2-20
10:16
am

Love the colours. BBB

zeitgewandt

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2-20
10:20
am

bbb enter me please!

mygirls01

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2-20
10:21
am

Inherited my Moms pressure cooker, no book. Would like the BBB.

Diane

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2-20
10:22
am

I love the jars! I’ve never seen a green one, it’s beautiful. BBB please.

Full Strut Farm

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2-20
10:23
am

BBB please!

GaPeach

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2-20
10:28
am

I just love old jars! BBB Please!

KentuckyFarmGirl

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2-20
10:29
am

What pretty jars! BBB

Patricialynn

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2-20
10:31
am

I already entered above, but I had a question for anyone that might know.
I had several quart jars given to me and I was trying to get a possible date on them. They are not Ball, they are Kerr. When I was given them, most of them had very hard to get off zinc lids and some had glass lids. They have bubbles in the glass like the Ball also. They are clear though, no green or blue coloring in them. I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me find a place where I could get an idea of the dates for them?

mygirls01

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2-20
10:33
am

Please enter me! I would love to get the BBB.

Karen

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2-20
10:34
am

So pretty! I’ve discovered the best way to get the old jars around here is to hit the flea markets as soon as they start in the spring. COLD, COLD, COLD but worth it!! BBB

Nancy Stickler

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2-20
10:34
am

I remember mom’s old jar collection. We also canned alot while I was growing up. Please enter me in the BBB. Thank you

tea4too0

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2-20
10:35
am

I’ve got several blue ones–a couple of half gallons. I love them & I really would love to have a new BBB!!!!!

Wanda

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2-20
10:35
am

Those jars are beautiful!
Yes, please enter me for a BBB. Thank you!

claudia w

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2-20
10:36
am

BBB Those jars are so beautiful! Thanks for another chance to win.

ladychef68

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2-20
10:38
am

Love the blue and green jars, got bit of a collection myself
BBB, please.

LeAnn

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2-20
10:44
am

Thank you Lisabeth and Suzanne, please BBB me!

and here’s a dumb question if anyone further down the line knows… when you have a really “bubbly” jar with all the air bubbles – is it safe to can with? Does the air IN the glass expand differently? I’m sure it’s gone through the canner hundreds of times before it got to me, but I am so paranoid of breaking a beautiful jar. I tend to save them for dry goods, but my husband wants to can with them as normal. Any thoughts?

farmershae

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2-20
10:55
am

the old ones are not only gorgeous but the best – such thick glass. thank you Lisabeth for sponsoring this giveaway! BBB!

Miss Becky

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2-20
11:02
am

The old jars just bring back memories of going to my gramma’s house and seeing them filled with different items. They had memories for her and now memories for me. Everytime I see one I think of gramma’s house BBB

Deborah Brickhouse

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2-20
11:04
am

Would like to be entered for the BBB, please!

Bebop

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2-20
11:18
am

farmershae, I don’t know, they are probably fine to can with, but I would never!!!! There’s always the slim chance of a jar breakage any time you can, so I would never risk a vintage jar. I use vintage jars for storing dry stuff etc.

Suzanne McMinn

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2-20
11:38
am

I also have a lot of vintage caning jars and I just love them to display things in. Please put me in the BBB drawing. Thanks.

Rosemeri

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2-20
11:43
am

I have three beautiful zinc-lidded blue jars that belonged to my great aunt. The green is so pretty too. I’d love a BBB, please!

Martha in KS

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2-20
11:46
am

Love your BBB giveaways – count me in for the BBB!

Christina Bredenkamp

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2-20
12:02
pm

Lovely jars!!

BBB please!

babsaroo1969

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2-20
12:03
pm

Think of all the goodies those old jars have held over the years! BBB

Karen

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2-20
12:12
pm

I would die for those jars!!!! BBB PLEASE!!!

marjohalleran

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2-20
12:12
pm

My husband makes beautiful pump jars from these old jars..puts dishwashing soap or any liquid soaps and makes a great addition to a country home. Yeah BBB

Patty

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2-20
12:14
pm

These are wonderful! Thanks for the chance
BBB – Kathy

Kathy Barnard

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2-20
12:15
pm

BBB me please. Thank you Lisabeth!

Kristen A

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2-20
12:17
pm

BBB, please!!!

cricketjett

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2-20
12:24
pm

Love the OLD jars. I collect them and love having them in windows for the sun to shine through. Of course, most of my canning jars are full of great garden food I put up…Love canning! BBB

Mountain Sunshine

Flag this comment
2-20
12:26
pm

I’d love to win!

Connie

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2-20
12:32
pm

I love the beautiful jars. I would also like to win the BBB. Thanks

Julia

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2-20
12:52
pm

BBB, please!

Pam

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2-20
1:15
pm

BBB please!

Laurie

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2-20
1:34
pm

I would LOVE this !

Denise C

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2-20
1:37
pm

Oh my goodness those are gorgeous! I was second hand shopping with my mother-in-law yesterday and picked up some pretty jars of my own. Nothing as wonderful as those. BBB!

LisaAJB

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2-20
1:43
pm

Love all of my Ball Blue Jars:) Thank you for the link, now I can date them:) Have a great day!(BBB)

Sonyaw

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2-20
1:44
pm

I have about a dozen blue jars in my basement. They are just sitting in a box. I never thought about doing anything with them.
Today is my fiftieth birthday. Maybe I’ll win the BBB!
Thanks,
Sue

Sue

Flag this comment
2-20
1:45
pm

BBB I sure hope ya pick ME!

Tricia in TEXAS

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2-20
1:46
pm

They are beautiful jars! I have a couple of older Jewel bottles with a zinc screw cap and a glass lid. One holds pretty rocks (in water) from my favorite ocean shore, the other sits in my ‘china cabinet’. That would be the cabinet that holds no china LOL
My neighbor would definately benefit from the BBB, so count me in please.
Pam

GrammieEarth

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2-20
1:54
pm

I love the old colored jars. BBB me, please!

langela

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2-20
2:02
pm

Such wonderful gifts! BBB please.

jan~n~tn

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2-20
2:04
pm

BBB please, please, please!!!

Brittany P.

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2-20
2:15
pm

Those jars are sooooo cooool! Count me in for the BBB.

Cindy

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2-20
2:34
pm

Sign me up for the BBB and have fun with those jars. Very neat!

Amanda

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2-20
2:34
pm

Thank you LisaBeth Olsen for sharing your grandmothers story. (BBB)

aprilejoi

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2-20
2:40
pm

count me I for the BBB.

Laura Newton

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2-20
2:46
pm

Wow! Super neat gift from Lisabeth :-). (BBB, please!)

CindyS

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2-20
2:55
pm

BBB please!

geena22

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2-20
3:11
pm

What a sweet gift. Old canning jars are wonderful, they have such character.
Please enter me in BBB.

Chrisi

Flag this comment
2-20
3:47
pm

Please enter me for the BBB!

Renee

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2-20
3:48
pm

I love your new jars Suzanne. I’ve got a lot of old blue Mason jars, pint, quart, and two quart. I use them to keep all of my grains, lentils, beans, etc. They look so pretty lined up on a shelf with all the different-colored contents!

mygirls01, I don’t see Kerr jars at all around here (Pennsylvania). I think they were (at least originally) from Oklahoma, so that’s not surprising. If you google them you’ll find some that look just as old as the Mason jars and also brand new ones, so they’re still making them!

BBB please !

AnnieB

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2-20
4:05
pm

bbb please

melody

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2-20
4:11
pm

Pick ME please for the BBB!

Sheepie~Girl

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2-20
4:31
pm

I always thought it was age and sunlight that made the jars change color. You mean they made them that way? On purpose? How pretty.
Enter me for the BBB, please.

Oh, and I wouldn’t use even the newer jars, if they had bubbles in them. I’d be afraid that the pressure would make them break. In keeping with the “no chips, cracks or flaws” rule. Even though we like the looks of the bubbles, I think they are considered “flaws”.

lavenderblue

Flag this comment
2-20
4:50
pm

Thanks for the chance to win a BBB!

Lana

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2-20
4:53
pm

I have a blue jar with a zinc cap. Love it. BBB please!

Melanie

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2-20
5:02
pm

BBB please!

Lacey

Flag this comment
2-20
5:41
pm

would love to win a bbb!

Teri

Flag this comment
2-20
6:14
pm

Just luv this blog! BBB

artsjoy

Flag this comment
2-20
6:39
pm

Love the jars. Please enter me for BBB.
Thank you Janice

Janice Jewett

Flag this comment
2-20
6:54
pm

Those are awesome jars! I’m jealous! BBB

Pam C

Flag this comment
2-20
7:53
pm

I love to have the BBB!

Mark Garner

Flag this comment
2-20
8:26
pm

BBB please!!!!

Brenda S.

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2-20
8:33
pm

BBB, please!

Bonnie

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2-20
8:44
pm

Wondering if the colored jars are still safet to use for canning? – BBB Please :-)

KellyRR

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2-20
8:45
pm

Love the jars! Those lids are hard to come by.
BBB for my daughter, please.

Vicki in So. CA

Flag this comment
2-20
9:24
pm

BBB please!!

Sarah Beth

Flag this comment
2-20
9:47
pm

BBB please

Howard

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2-20
9:49
pm

Enter me for the BBB drawing, please!

Jackie G

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2-20
10:45
pm

BBB please

Barbara at AtLast

Flag this comment
2-20
10:54
pm

I would love to win a BBB!

Lisa W

Flag this comment
2-20
11:22
pm

Love the old Ball canning jars. BBB please.

Barbie

Flag this comment
2-20
11:24
pm

Would love the opportunity to win a BBB!

BethAnn

Flag this comment
2-21
7:04
am

Neat jars, what a history. BBB please

Teresa

Flag this comment
2-21
7:33
am

Remember seeing these jars when I was a little girl. BBB, please!

Tammy F

Flag this comment
2-21
7:57
am

I have Jar Envy!

Please list me for the BBB,thanks.

Cheryl R

Flag this comment
2-21
8:18
am

Please BBS for me!!!

Amy I.

Flag this comment
2-21
8:38
am

This giveaway is closed to entry. The winning comment number is #35, Carmen at Old House Kitchen.

Suzanne McMinn

Flag this comment
2-21
9:07
am

Congratulations Carmen, I hope you enjoy your BBB, It is my pleaseure to give it. Lisabeth

holstein woman

Flag this comment
2-21
9:14
am

Congrats, Carmen!!

megan d

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2-21
1:41
pm

Those are cool! My mom used to collect the blue ones. I’d enjoy them sitting in my kitchen window so the sunlight could shine through. I wonder how it could have been safe to can things in them if they have air bubbles?

Journey11

Flag this comment
2-21
2:27
pm

please!!!!! i want a bbb!

kindigo27

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