Apple Extravaganza

This weekend our house has smelled absolutely delicious. Apples everywhere. In the crock pot, jars, pies, crisps...it was delightful :) With each season Billy and I usually get on a kick of a particular fruit or veggie to can so we can enjoy it's fresh goodness all year long. No but really...all year. Earlier this year it started with blackberries, then on to tomatoes and we finished up the summer with peaches. I love that when I'm making soups and stews this winter I am still using this summer's tomatoes, when I need a quick side or fruit I'm able to pull out a jar of 100% peaches WITHOUT the added preservatives (and sugar), when we're looking for an easy warm breakfast I've got a plethora of fresh jams and jellies to spread on fresh made biscuits or toast and last but not least - the pie filling makes an oh so easy dessert option that I can whip up for guests in the form of a crisp, pie or even served warm with vanilla ice cream. But back to my apple kick. This Saturday it was apples. Luke and I headed on over to the Farmer's Market while Billy was building our deck and we scored a whopping 40 pounds of apples for $24! You might be wondering how many apples = 40 pounds. Well, I didn't count, but I can tell you that after 13 half pints of apple butter, 4 quarts of apple cider (which, by the way you just use all your scraps from slicing and peeling apples, stick it in the crock pot with water and seasonings and voila! Apple cider!), 6 quarts of apple pie filling and 4 jars of apple jam we still have about 25 apples leftover.

You're probably wondering what on earth I'm going to do with all of these jars. We will keep some of the jam, butter, cider & pie filling on the shelves with our canned tomatoes, peach slices, blackberry jam & peach jam. Then we will be giving the rest away - along with our other summer goodies - as Christmas gifts. Don't worry brothers and sisters, these are just for friends and extended family... you will have a wrapped gift under the tree ;)

Blame it on my urge to nest right now or my love of all things Christmas, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. My feet are a bit tired but I just love knowing that we'll get to share something tasty with ones we love that they can eat right away or save for a quick dessert on a cold winter's night. Once they're tagged and recipe'd (made that one up) I'll be sure to post pictures.

Here are a few of my favorite looks... minus the newlywed names and replace it with favorite recipes:

I love the simplicity of these...just a little twine (which I have an abundance of) and a sweet card full of delicious suggestions. IE: Apple butter pork tenderloin, apple crisp, apple pie, homemade biscuits with peach jam, etc. Can you tell I'm 29 weeks preggers??

I'm generally not a fan of the fabric toppers - they're a bit too old fashioned for my taste. HOWEVER - I love these. Again..simple and sweet. Literally.

I LOVE these but I'm not sure I'm going to have the time (or energy) to mess with making labels along with the packaging, mailing, delivering...oh and making the boy's blankets, finishing the boy's shared bedroom and finishing up Everett's cradle bedding. But still, super cute.

And off to the next project I go while my little man is sleeping... some custom curtains and towels for the ever so fun Moms Sew Sassy :)