Cans Across America

My lovely lady friends and I got together yesterday to participate in the Canning Across America "Canvolution." Nicole is ultra deft in her pouring abilities.
Rachel can bring home the pears, boil 'em up in a pan-and never, never let you forget she's a ham...
We opted to make spiced poached pears. They were gorgeous- we steeped them in a thyme-infused simple syrup and then swaddled them with bay leaf, black peppercorns, a bay leaf, and a crisp white wine topper. Come winter, I'm jazzing mine up with port and parking my rear in front of the wood stove. Bring it, arctic blasts and cold snaps! I am PREPARED! 
We feasted on everyone's brunch potluck offerings while the jars processed, including: mimosas;  lemon pistachio pesto on market fresh bread; cucumber & yogurt soup with mint, cumin, and dill; fresh peaches & raspberries with Jenny's granola, and Beth's blueberry crumble bars. Jenny, a fellow beekeeper, also generously shared honey from her first extraction. Golden, exquisite nectar-so good, we drizzled it straight into our mouths! Wild times! 
The recipe we used can be found here (word from the wise: peel your pears before attempting to halve them, as indicated in the recipe, unless you enjoy the sensation of slicing skin from your palm...). If you've never canned with friends before, I highly recommend it. Much like knitting circles or book clubs provide socialization and productivity, canning shindigs leave everyone feeling socially revitalized and homeward-bound with bottled-up memories of good times!