365Project.2015 | Weeks 37–39

We have a new understanding of the words "harvest time" around here. We were blessed with a small orchard at our new home, and we've spent most of the last three weeks either picking and preserving our fruit or learning how to do those things. We've seen midnight more often than not ... usually with pots still wet on the counter from recent washing in our efforts to clean up before the start of the new day. But we are thankful ... other than some minimal pruning, we've done nothing except pick the fruit, yet we've enjoyed a bumper crop. We are blessed.

Day 249. The pears came in first, and we learned that Abby. loves. pears. :)

The pear tree was loaded!

 

Day 250. In our preparations for winter, we've also done a bit of dirt work to replenish some areas that had seen significant erosion.

 Day 251. For the first time ever, we're involved in a homeschool group. We're enjoying it. :)

Day 252. Our pears. :) If you've never had "pearple sauce"--a mixture of pears and apples--you're missing out. :) Our first batch was about 4 parts pears to 1 part apples. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Another interesting note ... organic homegrown pears look quite a bit different from store-bought pears. We bought some a few weeks later to mix in with our apples after our pears had run out. Hannah commented that the store-bought pears almost looked fake. I had to agree. (They kinda tasted that way, too.)

Here's the beginnings of Peter's dump truck ... linear actuators raise and lower the bed, and he can drive it with remote control. :) Completely his own design. No instructions. #mindblown

 Day 253. Yay! Hannah's homecoming day! :)

And yes, Mommy definitely added a few extra items to the cart in honor of her pending arrival. :) (But mostly it was that full due to the 20 freezer meals I was preparing to make on Saturday.)

Even the skies were cheering for her arrival! :)

Yay!!! She's home!!! The picture's a bit blurry ... definitely more interested in giving hugs than taking perfect pictures, but I thought it was cute that Abby was giving a "thumbs-up" in this one picture I took. :)

 Day 254. So glad to have our Hannah-bug home! ♥

 Sister smooches. ♥

Hannah received a monetary gift for her birthday, but it took a while to decide how to spend it. After serious consideration (months!), she decided to purchase some baking themed accessories from American Girl. They arrived while she was in SC, so exploring them made for a nice first day back. :)

 And while it wasn't a super breezy day, Peter was able to make the kite fly with a little assistance. :)

Day 255. Freezer meals = Mommy's sanity. Two to three hours on a Saturday, and then it's just thaw and dump for the next month? Yes. I'll gladly take that.

Day 256. Our Monkey loves dressing up for church ... and his good morning smile completes the look perfectly! ♥

Day 257. No running needed today! It was a perfect day for flying kites!

#fascinated

 ♥

 Day 258. Soccer at homeschool group today. :)

Day 259. And ... our first venture into the world of canning. :) Besides the jars, we bought a food strainer for this first year at the recommendation of friends. It was well worth the investment. :)

And on canning day, happiness is Grandma surprising you with a visit ... wearing an apron. ;) So thankful for Grandma's help this first day. Things were .. shall we say ... a little crazy???

 Yep. The canning process started post-8pm. The prep started about 1:00. #longday

 First batch. :) So thankful for my Grandma's canner!

 And my first 11 jars! The popping sounds were absolutely. beautiful. :)

 Day 260. The weather has been amazing this entire month, and we've thoroughly enjoyed some school days out on the deck. Complete with coffee and airplanes. ;)

Day 261. Did you realize that the bib tends to catch the really good stuff? It's best to check it before claiming to be finished. ;)

Day 262. Canning lesson #1. Clean your fruit before canning day. Canning lesson #2. Wear shoes with good support. Hannah and I spent multiple hours Friday afternoon/evening cleaning these four boxes of apples, plus two larger bins that were marked for cider.

Day 263. And Saturday launched canning round 2. Rather than 11 quarts in as many hours, we got 14 quarts in about six hours. Definitely improving. :)

And while the ladies were in the kitchen, the men were working on a drainage project. Drainage projects seem to follow us. #dejavue

Day 264. Because of course, the best way to see over the steering wheel is to stand on it. :)

 Day 265. Canning lesson #37. Do 1-2 steps at a time. Period. None of this multi-tasking business. This was my third round of canning and definitely the most efficient. All apples quartered and softened before a single one entered the strainer.

Canning lesson #65. Beg, borrow, or steal large bowls. Lots of them. You will need more than you expect. So thankful for Grandma's bowls that have been on semi-permanent loan for the last month. :)

Canning lesson #71. Weigh your produce before you start processing it so that you'll know exactly how many pounds you processed. Something upwards of about 200 lbs yielded 44 quarts of apple and pearple sauce this season. #thatsalotofapples #notyetdone

Canning lesson #102. Hire a really handsome Chief of Clean Dishes. ;) I'm so thankful for my hubby. I've done the bulk (not all!) of the work of the processing/canning, but he's been right there beside me when it came time to clean up. And I most definitely know how to make a mess. ;)

 Day 266. Art class at homeschool group!! :)

Day 267. Abby thinks Mommy's smoothie makes an excellent breakfast! :)

 And she is most definitely Daddy's girl. She totally lights up when he gets home from work. ♥

Day 268. We started piano lessons! (Finally!) :) While Hannah's picking up where she left off, Peter's just starting out.

 Day 269. Sisters. ♥

Day 270. And this Saturday was Cider Day! :) You can only make so much apple sauce. :) With an abundance of apples still on the tree and the blessing of a cider press on loan from a friend, we decided to explore the world of cider making. :)

Well, Abby just decided to explore. ;)

 And no one is surprised that Peter delighted in his role of climbing the tree to shake down the apples. :)

 We picked about eight bins by the end of the day.

 All of which got washed, then ground ...

 And pressed ...

 

 Well, minus one or two ... ;)

We decided to use a bit more care in picking for next round. Daddy + Hannah + John Deere made a good team. :)

We started outside, but after a few hours the bees decided that they really. really. really. liked the apple juices. We were swarmed by bees. Ugh.  Daddy continued mostly solo for a bit, and we finally just decided to bring the whole operation indoors. It made a bit more mess, but not having to deal with the bees was absolutely worth it.

Peter totally figured out the press and did a great job manning it!

 So thankful for our big helpers!

 We jugged 25 gallons of pasteurized, homemade apple cider by the end of the night. It's delicious. :)

The last round of canning dishes for the year ... I think. :)

And that's where we be. It's been a very. full. month. And I think we're all ready for Mommy to get out of the kitchen and enjoy some of this beautiful weather. :) I read about the concept of "sabbath schooling" this summer--six weeks on, one week off--and we're trying it this year. After six solid weeks of school, we're all looking forward to a break this week. :)