So Domestic!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Ever since I've had Kate, I've gone through different phases of things I've wanted to accomplish. It started with making more meals for Ryan and I. Then it moved on to making Bows for Kate, so I wouldn't have to spend a fortune on them. Then I started taking the wood shop classes. Then it turned into making my own Thank You and Happy Birthday cards. Believe it or not, I've tried attempting to sew a quilt. (That project Ill probably be working on for years!) Well, I'm here to tell you my friends, the latest phase I'm going through is canning. Growing up we never did such a thing. When I moved into this ward, EVERYONE and their neighbor was talking about how much they can, and how easy it is. I didn't believe them, and just ignored them for about 2 years. Finally last Tuesday I talked myself into going to a little class Enrichment put together. They had 4 different ladies teach us recipes we can do with apples. One was Apple pie filling, one was applesauce, and the last two were different ways to make apple butter. A few of us younger girls felt really ambitious, and decided we would get together and have one person teach us how to do it. Shortly after we met at our dear friend, Liz's house. Before hand, we were able to go to another lady's house in our ward, and pick a BUNCH of apples from her beautiful Apple Tree.

This box here was full to the brim. We used SO many ApPlEs!

We all took turns doing the different steps. This was only the beginning of the big fat mess we made.
The apples are boiling. We're a step closer!

We all had to bring our babies with us. Here is Brie with her little girl, Claire.

Here is Kate playing with her friend, Ally. The girls did SO good. We were there for about 4 hours, so it was a good thing the kids had each other.

Checking the apples!

Once the apples were soft, we put them in this AMAZING strainer that separated the core, seeds, and skin from the good stuff. Boy, was this an arm workout! This is our friend Emily.

Now it's time to can! We're getting the air bubbles out.

And the finished result! I am so proud of myself for attempting this. If you would've asked me a year ago if I would do such a thing, I would've said . . . In your Dreams. . .

I'm beginning to realize that if you put your mind to something, anything is possible! Thank you everyone for being such an inspiration to me. Because of you, and the things I've seen you accomplish, it's motivated me to be a better person, and more outgoing.

Thank you Liz for lending us your house and knowledge. Thank you Louise for letting us pick from your Apple Tree. Thank you Rochelle and Vicki for letting us use your nifty strainer's to make life easier for us. I really really appreciate it!