It's Pear season!

Well, tomorrow I'll be canning up the last of the pears for this season. I didn't do as many as I thought I would get to (due to surgery) but I will get at last 10-12 jars set aside.

I peel/quarter them..put them in water which I have added citric acid..then cold pack them into the jars heat a simple syrup to boiling, pour over the pears in the jar (leave 1/2 inch headspace) put on the lids then water bath for 20 min (timed after boiling begins). Some I've added spices too, some I've left plain.
I have to say, it's pretty to see all the canned goods on the shelf..home canned goods at that.

Well..I said the 'last of the pears' for the season, I was wrong. In the next field over,we have discovered another pear tree, that has much bigger pears in them. SOooo hubby went and picked me a 5gallon bucket worth. In about a week they'll be ready to can up..so that's what I'll be doing again before heading off to NY. The first ones I canned turned out wonderful (I know this because I opened one up and tried them already!) Anyway....I do believe that'll be the last thing for this season of planting, now to start planning next years crops! WOOHOO!

I got a seed catalog in the mail the other day but it doesn't do to much for me at this point! When the yard is put to rest for the long winter ahead it takes me until about Feb. to start to get spring fever. The rest of the time I do "winter" things, baking and such.

I WISH that we had a fruit tree of ANY description, we pay dearly for the fruit and veggies to put up for the winter, but you can't match the flavor in a tin. So, we do what we have to do. Those pears sure do sound delicous though!!

Well...those pears the hubby brought home from the field next door found a home today, in 10 jars!! WhEW!..I think I've put up all the pears I intend to put up this year...and I think I'll have to buy more jars next year.
I"ve told the hubby I want a pressure canner for xmas. (that's a 200$ investment!) I lost my last one in the house fire. (sigh..it was my mothers).
ANYWAY..I've been doing a lot of 'home thinking' lately..very much prarie thinking..and truly truly want to can more and be more 'independent' of the grocery stores. Not sure why..but feel it's almost an urgency that I take the next several years and 'set aside' what I can. Wonder why that happens..why I feel that way?

ANyway..pears are up..and I still have a few left so I may get to some pear preserves tomorrow. Who knows...I may just eat these..they are very sweet and good!

Yum, a-PEAR-antly you are still very busy with that fruit, but there is a long winter ahead and you will enjoy it so much!

I've used a pressure canner for years, no more hot water bath. I've got a glass top stove and can't use the ribbed bottom any more but I CAN use the pressure one. Some older glass tops didn't let you can on them, but the manufacturer says you can on this one and I have done a mighty lot of it!! Works very slick! I only use the 4 qt. one (or 7 pt) and that is great for us.

I really wonder what is ahead of us...prices are nuts, it's scary to go grocery shopping any more!

We picked up a bunch of apples yesterday on our way home from Creston, the banana belt in this area with loads of orchards. Made apple crisp for dessert tonight, excellent!! Come on over for dessert!!