This week has been insane. A neighbor of ours has incredible apple tree that bears wonderful fruit. Thing is, though, they don't want any of it this year. Knowing that we asked for a few last year, they were gracious enough to come and let us know that we could strip the tree bare if we were so inclined.
Inclined we are. The first night, three days ago, S and I picked about 60 pounds of apples. SIX ZERO. I came in a little bit earlier than S and started peeling and coring my bag to make apple sauce. S came back with two IKEA bags mostly full, got me to empty them all into one and he went back to fill them up again.
It's been a bit of a blitz to get these apples processed. So far, I've made applesauce, an apple cider vinegar starter (or 6), and apple pie filling. Going on the stove and crock pot right now are apple jelly and apple butter. In my head, I'm dreaming of dried apples and cider.
I'm having to take a break right now from all the coring and peeling because my hands are literally starting to swell from the effort. I have only about 10ish pounds left from the first picking, and I'm thinking they are going to be boiled down for jelly, too.
It's amazing, really, and I have a better understanding of the origins of American Thanksgiving - people who have an abundance of food giving it to others to make it through tough winters. Being on the receiving end gives much cause to be grateful.
The saying about life giving you lemons refers to turning bad situations around...well, I would like to offer a new spin with a different fruit - when life gives you apples, share. Keeping the good things of life to yourself will just end up giving you indigestion and an under appreciation for life. Sharing your joy tends to multiply it!
In apple bliss,
J
Soli Deo Gloria
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