Pear Preserves

One of the yummiest, most delectable, astonishingly good things my mother makes is pear preserves. I get so excited whenever she brings home a big 20 lb. box of pears, because I know exactly what will happen when they are ripe....

First she layers pear slices in a bowl with cinnamon and sugar, and maybe pectin, but don't quote me on that. 

   

Then she lets them sit overnight...

  

Next day they are simmered for hours on the stove. When I come home from work the whole house (including the basement and garage, and the front porch, and maybe even the whole yard) smells like pears and cinnamon. 

Then with Bryan and Emma's assistance she ladles the pears into sterile jars, pops a lid on, and leaves it turned upside-down for a few hours. I got antsy and started making scones. 

Last of all she flips the jars up and we wait for each one to make this delightful little "ping" sound, and then.....

  

We eat it!