Monday, Monday...

 

This is just a wee portion of my plans for today. I'd carved out time to can pears yesterday, but it was so bloody hot in the farmhouse that I chose to spend much of the day in the cool basement, doing laundry. I swear I'm going to move my ironing board down there, too! Wet clothes were hung on the line to dry, as I wanted to avoid turning on the dryer if I could.

 

Some time before we purchased the homestead that we lovingly dubbed Hickory Hill Farm, our dear neighbors, Andy and Shelly planted a pear tree along their lot line with this property. As Shelly is not a fan of pears, and there are only so many Andy can eat fresh, they've graciously shared them with us. In years past, there have been bountiful harvests from this tree, but this year the branches are so full of fruit that they're bending under the weight. I've noted in my canning diary that I usually put them up in early September, but have been keeping track of them this past week, hoping to take some weight off the tree. 

It's supposed to be cooler today, so my first order of business is to pick pears. Then I'll bring them back here, wash them, and sit down to peel and slice them all. After that's done, I'll make up a simple syrup - not too sweet - and give the pears a hot bath prior to canning them. I suspect I'll be doing this for a few days this week. We'll have to see.

I canned six and a half half-pint jars of pizza sauce from our current crop of ripe Roma tomatoes on Saturday. It takes so long to cook them down to thicken the sauce, but it will be so worth it to be able to enjoy in the coming months. I still have tomatoes ripening, so there will be more made soon. I'd planned to make salsa, but didn't have enough of the Early Girls to do that yet. I imagine they'll ripen this week along with the Romas.

As much as I'd like to be playing in the studio right now, when Mother Nature says it's time to pick ripe vegetables, I have to pick and process them. Needlework and other crafty pursuits will have to wait a while. I think I'll pull together supplies so that after I finish working in the kitchen, I'll be able to put my feet up in the evening and do a little needle dancing. If I can stay awake, that is. 

No Mas...

 

 

Well, I only accomplished one thing yesterday, but it was a tasty thing. I harvested more pears and processed them. It took all day, but there were a lot. 

I reached and picked as many as I could, and brought them back to the farmhouse. I peeled, and peeled, and peeled. I put them into the light syrup I'd made and let them cook a few minutes before putting them in pint jars. Processing in a water bath took twenty minutes for each batch of jars. 

When all was said and done, I had twenty five more jars to show for my efforts. I already had eighteen jars in the pantry, but a dozen of those went up to Andy and Shelly's for them to enjoy - and as thanks for allowing me to harvest fruit from their tree. That leaves thirty one jars to fill another spot on my shelves.

 

 

I use vinegar and a clean flour sack towel to clean the rims of all my jars. It's a great antibacterial wipe, so I can be confident the contents of the jars will stay sanitary. As I was cleaning the last of the jars, I got a little vinegar on my thumb. Ordinarily, that wouldn't be an issue, but this time it stung like crazy. Seems a day of paring and peeling did a little number on my thumb.

 

There are more pears on this most prolific tree this year, but truthfully, what I've done so far has nearly done me in. With a grateful heart, I decided I won't be picking any more pears for this season. Yesterday's efforts were my limit. I know when to fold 'em.

 

My original plan was to make up a big batch of Cowboy Candy (candied jalapeños) today. I think I'm going to wait until my thumb heals closed before tackling that. 

 

That means, today will be a perfect day to do a little needle dancing. The cardinals are patiently waiting. I'll share soon.