Welcome Fall!

[Cheryl]

I celebrated fall's arrival by going to the orchard and buying a bushel of apples.   That didn't seem like too much until I started working with them!  For 2 days' work, I now have 11 1/2 pints of apple jelly, 6 pints of apple butter, and a large dehydrator full of drying apples.  I've used about 2/3 of the bushel.

My legs, feet, and back are screaming at me, but I love seeing what I've produced and the way my house smells!  In a chat a couple of nights ago, some of us were discussing what constitutes a "good" day for us, and we decided that a productive day is a good one.  (I may be out of commission by tomorrow, though!)

Today I borrowed an apple peeler/corer/slicer that makes quick work of making apple slices for drying or recipes.   It's a vice-like device with a turn handle that you crank.   It takes little effort, and an apple is peeled, cored, and sliced in about 15 seconds. 

I wish everyone many good days and a happy fall!
Cheryl

[Patze]

That sure sounds like you had a wonderful day Cheryl!   By the way, when can I expect my apple jelly?



Patze

[Meld256]

Wow, Cheryl!  That was quite an undertaking, but you've really been productive.   

I'm sure your house smells wonderful.  The smell of fresh apples and apples cooking is one I love, too.  I'm glad you borrowed the apple peeler/corer to make less work of the process. 

I feel the same about a "good day" and what that means.  Many times I am happy to relax and enjoy family and friends, and that can be a good day.  But if I'm honest, a good day is one I feel I've accomplished something I've set out to do, much like I could in the past.

My "project" for the weekend is taking down some of the many white mini-blinds, washing them off and hanging them outside to dry.  I know, sounds a bit overkill, but just a dusting doesn't do it after a while. All the curtains went in the washer. My windows will be clean for fall. 

I hope you're not totally out of commission by tomorrow!  You can look at all your accomplishments while you rest.

[Bucky]

Wow, Cheryl . . . you got a lot accomplished!!   

My mom used to have one of those apple corer/slicer devices.  They did make the job a lot quicker!  I've seen them used at festivals where they put an apple in it, turn the crank and put the slices of apples in bowls and then pour caramel over the apples . . . yum-o!!

I've never attempted any canning of any type - but, I have received some as gifts and they've been wonderful.  My late MIL use to can tomato juice, green beans, corn, applesauce, pickles, etc.  I don't know if she ever canned jelly or not.

With fall officially here, they have started harvesting some of the corn fields here - I love to see the big  open fields once the harvest is over.  I'm a country girl at heart - give me the big open land over the busy city any day.     I think it will be several more weeks yet before they harvest our field.

Rest up tonight and hopefully, your screaming legs, feet and back will quiet down.  Go take a long soak in the tub.   

I'll munch on an apple tonight in your honor of a job well done!!   

Bucky

[smallfry]

Apples are my favorite fruit I eat a least 2 a day. By the sounds of things
I would be in apple heaven at your house.
What a way to celebrate your fall
an apple cider would be nice after all of your hard work.
WELL DONE
Cheryl 

[Cheryl]

Thank you Patze, Meld, Bucky, and Cheryl!  I wish I could share with all of you.  Yes, the next day was rough, but I think I'm up to tackling the remaining apples today. 

Meld, were you able to get all of your windows done?

I hope everyone is enjoying mild fall (or spring in your case, Smallfry) weather and many "good" days!

[Meld256]

We wish you could share, too!  I'm sure you'll enjoy the jelly, apples and butter over the winter. 

No, windows did not get finished, but I really didn't expect to in a couple of days.  Small house=14 white mini blinds and I got half of them done, so I felt accomplishment!  It's rainy and chilly today, plus I'm tired, so the rest might get done over this next weekend.  Good thing is I don't worry about what I can't do right away anymore. 
I hope everyone can enjoy a bit of mild fall (or spring) days, too!

[CAT1962]

I was thinking about looking for some sort of orchard the other day! I would love to go PICKING! I wonder what there might be in Oklahoma...Hmmmmmmm

CAT

[smallfry]

With our Spring comes Strawberry season so its Strawberry jam time.
When Summer comes what everyone is waiting for are the Mangoes when they are in season I spend a lot of time making Mango Chutney.
I try and make enough to see us till the next season but we never seem to make it.
I would have to say that Spring is my favorite time of the year sadly it goes far to quickly.
Yes I will savor our Spring while it's here, and i hope you can enjoy a mild Fall
Cheryl 

[A66eyroad]

Cheryl, why do I find it easy to believe you spent a whole day cooking?!?  I bet you were at it by 5 a.m., too!

You have inspired me!  I have a food dehydrator, and now I plan to yank it out of the bottom of the pantry and use it over the weekend.

Happy fall to you!

[season]

Apples. I love apples and the fried apple pies. The aroma of apple butter and hot buttered biscuits.

I like the fall colors--oranges, maroons, yellows, reds. The leaves are so beautiful and a getaway to the mountains would be wonderful. The cool crisp morning air. Ahhhhhh-I can breathe.

Decorations. I love the fall decorations......pumpkins, fall leaves, scarecrows, fall harvest. I try to put out some fall colors in my home and I love doing this.  Mums-----have you seen the gorgeous mums?

[Bucky]

Mums-----have you seen the gorgeous mums?

For those outside the U.S.A. she's referring to these flowering plants called Mums - not your mothers!!    

Couldn't pass this one up!   

Bucky

[Meld256]

Cute, Bucky    Of course, everyone in the UK has a gorgeous Mum, no matter their age.

I was able to go north 225 miles this week. The trees are changing to golds and reds already, and oak trees are losing their acorns.  We have a little color here in SE Kentucky and with our cooler weather, it should be getting pretty soon. I planted snow peas for the first time a couple of weeks ago; I hope I gave them enough time to harvest a few before it's too cold. 

[Bucky]

Cheryl - I thought of you this morning when I was at a garage sale and saw an apple corer/slicer they had for sale.   

It's been real breezy here the last two days.  Hard to believe it will be October tomorrow!!   

Enjoy the Fall season while it's here . . . because you know what comes after it!!    

Bucky

[Bucky]

Here in Central IL the leaves aren't very colorful this year.     We've had so much wind lately that the leaves are just blowing off the trees without changing.   

They harvested our cornfield yesterday.  It looks so strange to see an open field now where we've be hidden by the tall corn since July.  We've already seen several deer out in the field last night.  They love the corn.  We usually go and walk the field and pick up any ears of corn the combine missed and save them for the deer in the middle of the winter.  Same thing with the acorns for the squirrels.

Have you noticed some of the strange cloud formations lately?  The cold weather colliding with the warmer weather makes for these spectacular clouds.

I'm not ready for what comes after fall.   

Cheryl - are you planning on canning anything else now that your apples are done?

Bucky