Our pear tree is dripping with fruit. They are a little small but we are "harvesting" the first batches this week. There have been about about 3 paper grocery bags full so far. The plan is to let the remaining pears get a bit larger and then pick them later.

Most of the pears (Bartlett), are still green. When they ripen, they turn yellow. This year, I finally got smart and decided it would be best to pick the pears instead of letting them fall. When you let them fall, they obviously get all smooshed and bruised. So, we pick them, and leave them in paper bags to ripen.

At this point, there is such a bounty I am giving pears to the neighbors, friends, and family. It's also time to decide if and when we'll make pear butter. We have been milling over the idea of dehydrating some and of course I'll make clafoutis.

Tonight I climbed into the tree to pick another bunch. There I was, up in the tree, looking all around and seeing countless pears hanging down like ornaments. The tiger lilies were blooming in the flower bed below me. The air was perfumed by their fragrance.  So very very sweet.