Can do.

Yesterday was a banner day for Essen. Almost one year to the day of our "official" launch, we introduced our newest class series, Puttin' Up Parties. Peek below and you'll see the proud canners and their fill of tomato jam and applesauce.

The tomato jam was enjoyed for its uniqueness - a sweet and spicy blend which will definitely warm your insides with toast come winter. Thanks to Dan and Amy of Promised Land Farm for their beautiful, meaty and delicious organic roma tomatoes.

The applesauce was fall at its purest - we cooked down 50 pound of apples (IPM Jonathons, McIntosh and Cortlands from Althouse Farm) with nothing more than a bissel o' water. And then the fun began. Kristen and I rolled out the Applesauce Bar. We presented the group with a tray of "flavor enhancers" including fresh lemons, a variety of sweeteners as well as spices, both familiar and less expected. Each group created their individual flavors and then canned their signature brand of applesauce.

The pace was definitely different from the menu-based Essen Classes. Same organization and overview; however, the Puttin' Up Party was 100% hands-on (more time for gabbing) while a bit more structured in terms of instruction (we sat down around the table and talked through the canning steps while nibbling home-baked cookies). We were able to bring the lesson to life when we finally canned and processed the jam and sauce.

It's a good thing we saved the boxes from the canning jars. Everyone went home with up to 100% more applesauce than we guaranteed. Hmm, some people may actually be looking forward to winter.