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Our Story
Weber Duck Farm was a huge commercial; duck farm, in Lake Villa, Il., was in our family for over 90 years. My dad, Duke, raised 40,000 ducks at a time. The ducks came from the hatchery at one day old and were sent to the dressing plant at six weeks old. We were a family of nine children...( I, Anita,was the favorite.) So every summer when we thought of sleeping in, we were in the garden every morning picking vegetables. My mother would yell up the stairs at 6:00 a.m. that it was time to wake up, eat breakfast, and come and weed and pick the garden. We planted green beans, tomatoes, corn, okra, and of course all kinds of peppers. I actually enjoyed the garden and was impressed by the size and amount of the produce that we grew and harvested, We would pick huge bags full of vegetables to freeze or can for the winter. (Not the small brown grocery bags that you use now—but the huge brown paper bags from the 1960s. (Yeah-you remember!) We would sit under the old shady oak tree and snap the beans. It seemed like a lot of work back then, but I would give any thing to have those times back.
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My Granny McEntire made jellies and would sometimes let me help. She taught me to make jalepeno pepper jelly. She was so proud of that jelly because it was so different and every body loved it. Several years after she passed away, I thought of treating my family and friends to her delicious recipe of jalapeno pepper jelly as Christmas gifts in remembrance of Granny Mc Entire. When I went to choose my jalapeno and bell peppers at the vegetable market, I discovered that the pepper world was full of amazing colors and flavors-not just green! I created my first habenero jam and everyone loved it! I started making it and selling to family, friends, and neighbors. Soon, I could not keep up with the demand! Everyone encouraged me to go into business.
So—I created “Anita’s Pepper Kissed, Ltd. I am excited about creating and introducing new flavors. My habenero jams are user friendly and even appeal to those that are timid when it comes to hot hot foods.
I am thankful that I grew up with a large family on Weber Duck Farm where we celebrated delicious evening meals at our 9 foot round table with its 4 foot turntable that my Dad designed. My, Mom, a small woman kept us all in line and still does at 78 years of age. ( You could be sitting 13 feet away and, if that little arm goes up we still duck!)
Our family starts every special occasion (and some everday happenings) with Anita’s Pepper Kissed Habenero Jams served with cream cheese and crackers. We end these events by remembering Grandma Weber's favorite toast—so here’s to you—
“LOVE ALL AROUND”.
Anita
