Simply Practical: apple peeler corer slicer

Friday, October 19, 2012

Making applesauce!

I just got through putting ten pounds of apples through the apple peeler, corer, slicer! They are on the stove cooking down to what I hope will be a delicious applesauce! Can you believe that I've never made applesauce? Well, it's true, today is my first time. It's almost like making apple butter. I'm using the recipe in the Ball Blue Book for applesauce and I'm canning it in half pint jars. I don't think we'll eat much at a time so that way it won't get old.

The weather is very, very windy today! It's warm, though, but things are moving around on the porch so much it's scaring my little dog! I just hope the canopy doesn't get blown away! There's been several strong gusts that could have taken it down.

The weather has caused the hens to lay again and I'm getting 4-6 eggs daily. I have an abundance of eggs and I saw a recipe for Gruyere puffs. I just don't know where in this town to find Gruyere cheese! I thought Aldi would have it since they carry a variety of cheeses during the holidays, but they don't have it. If we had a Publix, they probably have it. Guess I'll have to drive 50 minutes or so just to get some cheese! Well, I don't HAVE to make the puffs, I'd just like to. If I go to Birmingham, I don't usually go for just one item. I'll have a list. I'm really wanting to get more into herbal and aromatherapy type cures for common ailments, so the essential oils I can't find locally will have to be purchased at Whole Foods. I really like that store! I do have to budget when I go there because I could spend a ton! We budget anyway, so no worries.

I'm learning so much from reading ya'lls blogs and other's on the web! I appreciate you taking the time to post, and to read mine as well! I also appreciate the nice comments you leave! Have a great weekend! Blessings from Bama!

Loving this apple, peeler, corer, slicer!

These are cooking down and you should smell the aroma!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Drying apples and making fried pies!

We recently were blessed with several bags of apples. They are a bit tart, and just a little sweet, so they are perfect for: pies, apple butter, dehydrating, well, anything! I decided to get on with them this week and it took about three hours to peel, slice, and core them. It seemed like forever, and I sure was glad to get them done! They turned out so nice! They taste good enough to eat! I never was a big fan of grocery store dehydrated apples, so I was pleasantly surprised with how these taste! I hope to acquire more apples in the near future and will probably dehydrate some, as well as make more apple butter. That stuff is so good!

Along with my apple ventures, I've been cooking and gardening. The weather has been so much more pleasant these past few days, so I can actually enjoy being outside again! That is, if I get out there in the morning and late evening. The temps are steadily climbing back to the nineties by Friday, so I hope to get things done out there before then. I hope to plant some beets, turnips, swiss chard, and spinach this evening. It will be interesting to see how the weather does until fall. Hopefully, these will make a harvest!

Skylar started back to school Monday. He is taking his lunch! That was a surprise to me, and I'm getting it ready for him in the mornings. I made him some brownies for his snack. He likes them! But, he just ate a fried pie and decided he wants one of those in his lunch tomorrow. The pies are good, but I think they will taste better when I make the crust from scratch, instead of canned biscuit dough.

I hope to get to post on harvesting honey, soon! It probably won't be long until we do that! Ya'll have a great week! Blessings from Bama!