Step #1: Swear a lot because you nearly ruined your plum butter in the process.
Step #2: Convince yourself it will loosen if you let it soak.
Step #3: When, after five days, the crud won’t budge, boil with water and soap.
Step #4: Violently stab at the hot crud that smells like…burned plums and dish soap…until your arm won’t work.
Step #5: After 45 minutes of hell, realize you are not even 1/4 of the way done and give up.
Step #6: Take photos of your cute cat next to the crud pot.
Step#7: Let it sit on the stove so you have to look at it every day until your will returns.
Step #8: Have your mom come to town and casually mention said pot with crud.
Step #9: Let her go through the above steps with more life experience.
Step #10: Observe and learn as she adds baking soda and boils.
Step #11: Notice her quick-wittedness as she thinks outside the box, ventures to the garage and returns with a paint scraper.
Step #12: Place the perfectly clean pot (with a few reminders of your initial carelessness) in the cabinet and kiss your mom.
