Harvest Time

The apples from our tree are finally picked and preserved.  This all started a few weeks back now, when Hans and Sam decided to shake all the apples from the tree.  They then attempted bobbing for apples, however Sam did not think the cold water was very refreshing, but got a kick out of Hans success at bobbing.  The apples sat in buckets and stared me down each time I look out our kitchen window.  Two 5 gallon pails of apples to attempt to make something of.  Hans and I were able to peel, chop, cook, and prepare 4 quarts of applesuace...however this just put a tiny dent in the apples we had.  My mom came and helped us out.  The credit is all hers as she peeled, chopped, and steamed apples all day.  I got the easy part of pureeing them and then helping her can them.  It took some time, but we now have applesauce canned for the winter.  Finished product was 8 two quart jars and 15 cups of frozen apples. 

I pulled out all the bounty from our garden as well.  Our biggest success this year was our carrots.  There was an endless supply of this crop for four months.  Enough to eat carrots whenever we wanted, make two carrot cakes, and freeze about 10 cups of chopped ones!  We'll see what are attempt at a garden brings next year.  We were quite proud of our success this year.