Un-canny....

I have a new found respect for my mother and her food storage.  My little sister and I attempted canning today, for the first time, for both of us.  First of all, let me say, don't ever attempt to can with another novice.  After 4 hours, two exploded jars, one emergency trip to Safeway and some creative input from my hubby,  we have 33 jars of pears, to split between the two of us.  My mother canned every kind of fruit and vegetable imaginable, by herself, for years (still does) and has shelves of fruit and veges for food storage.  Val and I are quite certain that we may leave all future canning attempts to the good people at Dole.