My Weekend

SMALL portion of the nearly 30 pounds of pears "artfully" arranged prior to the great canning adventure.

Tuesday evening my pastor called and one of the things he asked was if I could use some pears.  His tree was loaded down, the branches touching the ground, and his wife had put up all the pears she wanted.  Of course I said yes!  My pastor brought over two large plastic grocery bags filled with pears.  So pretty...but if I didn't do something with them, they would spoil before my guys and I could eat them.  Over the years I have done some canning and preserving with one of my grandmothers and so I thought I could do it on my own.   

Pears in the process.  You can tell I was already into the project...

Of course I used the Internet to research recipes for pear preserves. I found one or two in some old recipe books, but was searching for other ideas.  One of the ideas was for gingered pear preserves,which called for crystallized ginger.  Which means I had to find a recipe for that, as well.   

Amazingly Winn Dixie had a sale on sugar last week, and for some reason Monday night I purchased two bags for nearly the price of one.  Guess that was God's timing because pears came to my house Tuesday night, and canning and preserving takes LOTS of sugar!

Friday evening I made a trip down to the country (my parents' and grandmother's place) and picked up canning jars and advice.  Then it was off to Wal-Mart to purchase lids for the jars.  And fresh ginger.  

The finished product.  Covers nearly the entire stove top.

After many, many hours of work, I was well pleased with the fruits of my labor!  I have enough gingered pear preserves, regular pear preserves and pears in light syrup to last my little family for a while.  Can't wait to share with the extended family.  And yes, I've already eaten some of those preserves with hot biscuits and melted butter...oh, and over pound cake, too.  Pure heaven!!  

I am not the Proverbs 31 woman, but I sure felt a little like her this weekend.  Now, what can I find at the farmers' market?

Reese