Wednesday, October 16, 2013

What I'm LOVING!!

LOVING the memories made over the weekend with family. Uncle Michael was in only for one night and a breakfast date and walk, but what joys to be together for those hours!

LOVING all the activity we enjoyed with Auntie Nay Nay. From fresh homemade meals to ice cream dates, to a day of harvesting the apple tree, to boating and breakfast and lunch out on the town: what joys!

How we LOVE the bounty from our tree! We were so thankful to our friends who taught us everything and even allowed us to use their cider press. The morning began with fog and toasted pumpkin bread lathered with butter. The men laid out the tarps and set up the press while the ladies made a French press of coffee and gathered the three baby girls, dressing them in boots and sweaters. The first step in the process was to harvest all the apples from the tree. Both Daniel and Renee were high in the tree, shaking the branches which caused bushel upon bushel to fall from the tree. The ladies gathered the apples onto the tarp and thus began the pressing. Tirzah and sweet Johanna pushed the apples through while Daniel caught gallon after gallon of the beautiful juice. How to describe it? A gorgeous dark amber color with the sweetest taste imaginable. Each of us kept dipping our cup in for just one more sip. It was delightful!
The first five gallons were pressed and ready to be boiled and canned. The ladies moved inside and with oven mitts and steam swirling and cheese cloth draped over mason jars we began the canning. 19 gallons later, we finished! What a bounty! The work day ended with sunshine and pumpkin waffles, all of us gathered around the table set by the apple tree.

How we LOVE to dream of living in community someday, perhaps with friends? For sure with family, for it will be harvest days like this, all gathered together working hard towards the same goal of sufficiency and good food, that will create the sweetest and most meaningful memories of all.

























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