Friday, September 19, 2008

Can you guess...

... what I've been doing this week?!

Mmmm - I love this time of year! Wish I could bottle this smell!

28 comments:

Wendi said...

Yum! I can't wait to make a trip to the orchard. My fil has already asked if I will be making apple jelly again this year.

Anonymous said...

Me too, Monica! I need to get some more apples tomorrow and put up applebutter. I do that in my crockpot (less splattering). I always love the way the shelves look when the canning is complete. All the colors and the satisfaction that I know what my family is eating is healthy. I so enjoy your blog and I check in daily!

Your sister,
Ruth, PA

Melissa said...

I thought of you this morning (before I read your post). I was thinking about this time last year...you made me an apple pie and it was super yummy! What got me thinking about this is the fall air - you can smell it! I love cozy mornings in the fall - the house temperature is perfect! I am off to make a cup of our favorite tea and open the back door.

Mary Ann said...

Store bought applesauce cannot even compare to home canned. I cannot wait to get apples again this year! I love making applesauce and apple butter. We've used all of ours up from the last 2-3 years now.

Tracy said...

Canning is so much work in process, but oh, to open a sweet preserve in the middle of a cold winter! So, so wonderful!

*carrie* said...

That is funny, Monica. I almost included a pic of our applesauce in jars. Talk to you soon.

Anonymous said...

I can just smell the apples cooking! Carrie and I made applesauce, too! :)

Dad and I are planning to stop at the Happy Apple Farm tomorrow on our way down to V's cabin to get wood. :) Love you, Mom

Julie Willis said...

It looks yummy! I take the cores, skins, and cinnamon. Mix and dehydrate. Then you can simmer the smell anytime and it makes a great little gift.

Katy said...

That sounds fantastic Monica! :)

Amy said...

Oh, that looks wonderful! Yum!

letterstoelijah said...

Oh I wish my monitor was a scratch and sniff! :)

what's your recipe for the apple sauce?

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

A lot of work! LOL! Looks yummy.

Anonymous said...

I have been doing the same thing this week! I have like 100 pounds of apples from a friend's tree! ALL FREE!!!! So I am capitalizing on it and making jar after jar of apple sauce! And some apple butter, although we still have some from last year!

Love that autumn smell, huh?

Lorna said...

Wow they look lovely - can you tell me what sort of recipes you will use these for? over the pond here in the UK we tend to only use apple sauce as a accompaniment to Roast Pork which is quiet boring. Love your blog by the way :)

Elise said...

My friend, Amy, and I are going to do this after I move. My homeschool group is taking a trip to the apple orchard on Oct. 2nd and I cannot wait!!
I loved that applesauce last year and plan to make much more this year. Love your fabric!! Or towel??
Elise

Monica Wilkinson said...

Momof4: thanks for the great tip on the potpourri! I'd never heard of that! :)

Elise: it is an apron!

Lorna: My girls love to eat applesauce anytime! I also like to make muffins with it and pancakes. You can substitute applesauce for at least part of the oil (or all depending on the texture you want) called for in baking recipes for a healthier alternative. Those are just a few of the things I'll use it for!

Letters to Elijah: I put 4c. apple juice in a dutch oven and fill with cut up apples - simmer and puree. That is it! We like ours pretty smooth - but if you liked chunkier, you could probably use a bit less juice and less puree time as well.

Carrie said...

That looks wonderful! Wish we had apple trees here in Tx.!

Lorna said...

Thank you so much for the tip on how to use applesauce ;) Can you use any type of apples to make the sauce??

Monica Wilkinson said...

You're welcome, Lorna! Yes - you can use any kind. My personal preference is to use three or four kinds mixed together - it makes such a yummy flavor!

Amy Ellen said...

Oh that looks good. Wish I had a bunch of apples, LOL. I bet the house smelled lovely.
Amy

Charree said...

Applesauce is on my list of things to do. Seeing your pictures has given me the extra push to actually get it done.

Carolyn said...

Canning Apples is on my to do list.

I got to get a food mill first......

Leah said...

We just finished up canning our first bushel of apples. We hope to get at least 2 more canned before the season is over. Warm homemade applesauce is one of my favorite treats! :)

We like our sauce chunky so we just just peel, core, slice, cook down, and can! No need for a food mill although we have one for other fruits/veggies. :)

Anonymous said...

How many apples do you need to make apple butter or applesauce? What kind work best?

Monica Wilkinson said...

rebekahdawn: I'm real precise when it comes to applesauce - ha ha. I put 4 c. apple juice in a dutch oven and fill it with peeled, cored, quartered apples. I think it took me between 18-22 apples to fill the dutch oven each time. This made 1/2 gallon of applesauce. Same thing for apple butter.

I prefer a mixture of apples because it gives such a good flavor. This year, I mixed McIntosh, Honey Crisp, Gala and JonaGold apples together. But, just use whatever is available to you.

Tara said...

Hmmm, this looks so cozy and nice. I should take a trip to Happy Apple Orchard and pick some apples and make apple sauce. I'll probably be starting Ian on solids in a couple months and that would be a great thing to have in the pantry (I'm making his food)! Your blog is so wonderful and encourages me to be a better wife and mommy!

What's next said...

Read what my little one said about me putting up apple butter..
http://whatsnextgirls.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-post.html

Anonymous said...

Apple Sauce?? Looks Yummy!! Can I get your recipe. I would love to try this, this fall!!!