Pages

Friday, September 30, 2011

Applesauce Making

Thanks for all your encouragement! After all my whining, I thought I should tell you about a good day! Yesterday, one of my sisters came to help me make applesauce. (You had a good idea, Suzi!) It is unbelievable how much another set of hands gives a lift!

We did 58 quart of applesauce. I'm choosing not to remember that is less than half of what we eat in in a year.

While waiting for apples to cook, we did some cleaning, completely caught up on laundry and even did some mending! I didn't attempt to do school. One of you said I should have apple days instead of snow days. Love the idea. We were ahead of schedule anyway.


I didn't take any pictures all day. If you want to read more about how we made applesauce check out this post or this post. Ed insisted on taking my photo last night with the applesauce. I look real photogenic at 9:00 at night after a big apple day under the orange kitchen lights!

After a "successful" day like yesterday, do I pat myself on the back? If my success is not dependent upon my accomplishments, I have no right to pride, any more than I need to beat myself on a "bad" day. If my worth is not dependent on what I "do" I am free to thank God for His blessing.

Because it was all God. He gave the willing help of a sister.  He gave healing to my back. He gives life and strength every day for what He has called us to do in that day.

26 comments:

  1. Yay for you! I am doing mine tomorrow after the house showing. So I won't get to start on my 4 bushels until after 10:00. I see a late night in my future. By the way I love your addition and can't wait to see the updates as you work on the little projects to make it home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW...that's a LOT of jars of apple butter! What a blessing to have your sister help, Gina. I love apple butter...must check out your recipe...mine looks much darker in colour than yours does.

    Blessings,
    from Julia

    ReplyDelete
  3. ok...so I see you are making apple SAUCE not apple BUTTER. *thumps head* LOL!

    What do you mean by "canning" for 20 minutes??

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful wonderful!!!! Got to love it. It is so gratifying isn't it? Now you need to leave it out for a few days just to look at...Melissa Good job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow... I just realized you must have 100's of jars in your basement, with all the canning you do!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi- I make apple sauce too, no where near that amount and I freeze mine in plastic bags and microwave them when we want them. It's laborious to start but I peel, core and chop all the apples, they reduce to a pulp and I add lemon juice to stop it browning. when cool, I bag it into portions and freeze. I love your hand mill xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice job, ladies! That's quite an apple sauce haul! Something that is best done with a sister (or friend) for sure! Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Gina,
    I love the photo just because you look so happy!
    I think one of the most difficult things is, to find out why you don't manage some things in live - is it really because you need to put more endeavor in it or does God not want you to manage it. It is not easy to put EVERYTHING in His hands. And it's sure, He doesn't want you to sit around, waiting for everything happening without you are doing your part in life. And you can only try to find this part because you will never know what He knows...
    So, I think this is my problem. But your posts sound a little bit for me as you aould struggle with the same. Am I right?
    I hope, I have now managed to express what I feel in ( my only learned in a couple of years in school) English.
    I hope He will show us our ways!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  9. but I will stay say to you, Well done! And your hubby is obviously pleased with and proud of you. What a blessing to have your sister come to help you for the day. I hope you can enjoy a restful weekend with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are lovely...even at 9:00 at night after an applesauce making day!

    Good for you! I'm sure it's satisfying to see those jars lined up like that.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing this success, Gina! I'm glad Ed insisted on a picture- poor lighting and all- you do look happy and it's good to remember the good days. :-)

    I didn't get a chance to comment on your last post, but I wanted to let you know that I feel for you- you're in a life season with little ones that will always feel this way. Well, as long as you're someone with goals and dreams- which you are. :-) Embrace this stage of life, make lists, prioritize, and plan for each day, but don't forget to chuck all the plans if a "people moment" comes along. The time we spend with our families and friends is the most important. And when we do that, I believe God is most pleased.

    And it sure helps when checking something off the list and being with family happens at the same time! I love family work days. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow! That is a lot of sauce in one day!! I am sure enjoying your blog...you write so beautifully and from the heart:).

    Blessings,

    Julia

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love making applesauce too!

    How lovely to have a sister to share the fun with...I have no sisters but the Lord gave me 4 daughters instead! :)

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  14. dear gina,
    wow....so many jars of apple sauce.
    i make apple sauce,too. i freeze mine in bags.
    you looks very happy...i like your picture.
    have a nice weekend,
    blessings regina

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well done! I also didn't put up NEARLY enough applesauce to take us through 'til next year. It's ok--maybe more apples will come your way & you can put up more =)

    ReplyDelete
  16. You all are so sweet and encouraging!

    And Dorothy - you made me laugh - because I do have more apples - four bushels to be exact! So I see more applesauce making in my near future!


    Anyone want to come help?
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  17. wow, you eat a lot of applesauce! I just bought my puny little half bushel and will hope to make it next week. sister hands to help are wonderful, I agree :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ahh! Isn't he wonderful. There are more important things yes, but it's so heart warming when He gives us time for those little things that makes us feel good and less stressed when we just ask.

    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh wow! I've been trying to work up the nerve to try my hand at canning (I've only done it once and even then it was with room filled experienced ladies!). Your post is encouraging...and all that applesauce is making me hungry. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Gina I would be there in a heartbeat! What types of apples do you use? I made mine on Saturday and got a great yeild compared to other years. 80 quarts bod. So glad! Noe for the rest of the apple preserving.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You look lovely there :)

    I have a question; Being from Australia, we dont really have that here.. What is it used for? Is it sweet or sour?
    They look so lovely and vibrant!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Marcso -
    Are you saying you don't have applesauce? It is used as a fruit. It is basically blended cooked apples. We like it with cake, cookies, for a snack, dessert, breakfast - whenever! We love applesauce. The sweetness depends upon the type of apple you use. If you use tart apples, most people add sugar. I like to make sauce with a mixture of tart and sweet apple for a good flavor and I add no sugar.
    Hope I answered your questions!
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gina,
    Thanks for answering :) Yes we have Apple sauce, but it is only used as an accompaniment to roast pork. So it is seldom used. When I saw all the sauce you made I was thinking "Ok they cant eat that much roast pork lol! It has to be used for something else" :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a great day! It's nice you had help. That really speeds up the process.

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you.