National Can-it-Forward Day

It's only one week away, and yours truly is going to be leading the "Canned  Fresh Tomatoes, packed in their own juice" demonstration.

I get to be a STAR for a day (or maybe just for an hour, but I'll take it.)

Hope you can join us!

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Update on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 10:16AM by Brook Hurst Stephens

Leslie and I had so much fun at our demo yesterday.

Thanks to everyone who cheered us on at Pike Place Market in Seattle, and who watched it via Livestream.

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My friend Lisa made me this adorable photo album of my demo and sent it to me a week later, for my birthday!

Showcasing my bounty of Bings in a classic Cherry Compote

This spring I joined the group Canning Across America. Being a member comes with all sorts of perks, like spending quality time in a room with several other people who find talking about head space and boiling water baths as fascinating as I do. Our meetings are fun, informative, full of great stuff to eat, and well-organized thanks to Kim O'Donnel, who founded this nationwide group in Seattle in 2009.

Click to read more ...

It's Banana Jam, but better...it's Monkey Butter!

Thanks to Canning Across America,

for making this their photo of the week.

Join the Canvolution on Twitter!

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 Monkey Butter on a SMALL piece of toast - the "45 calories per slice" stuff

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Ball 4 ounce jars. I can never have enough of 'em!

These jars are one of my very favorite things in the whole wide world.

I keep these stocked in my pantry for a few reasons. Their diminutive size makes them ideal for creating "sample" jars of recipes you are testing, and for gift-giving too. I'm a huge fan of small batch canning, and these jars are perfect for those smaller amounts of precious preserves that you want to stretch as far as possible. Listen, I know you worked hard to pick that pound of dandelions! Don't put your entire batch of delectable Dandelion Jelly in one pint (16 ounces) jar...divide it up into four (4 ounce) jars instead.

It's good to be able to share homemade preserves with your neighbors, friends & family, so when you see these small jars, buy a box of them.

Trust me...you'll be glad you did.