Apples to Oranges

So there are no oranges in this post but yesterday I did go to my cooking club and we made canned apple pie filling. I haven't actually tried it yet so I'm not sure how it taste but with 41/2 cups of sugar for a batch where can you go wrong? So if any of you want to try it here's the recipe. It was super easy and isn't it pretty? I love the caramel coloring. I was thinking of you especially Sheila since you've got all the trees.

Apple Pie Filling

4 1/2 c. sugar 1/4 t. nutmeg

1/4 t. salt 1 c. cornstarch

2 t. cinnamon (or more if desired)

10 c. water 3 T. lemon juice

2-3 drops yellow food coloring

6 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

4-6 quart canning jars and lids

Directions

Blend first 5 ingredients. Stir in water. Cook and stir over medium high heat on oven until starts to thicken. Add lemon juice and food coloring. Pack apples into jars leaving 1 inch at top. Top off with syrup to 1/2 inch from top. Process in a water bath 20 minutes. Let cool on counter. (A water bath is just a large pot with boiling water that you submerge your jars in for the required time.)

It was a bit of managed chaos but lots of fun and as always lots of good food. I made Mom's Apple Dumplings and was in heaven while I ate! Yum!

I also cut Emil M.'s hair this weekend. He was starting to look like one of the Beatles. It turned pretty well I think but I can't get him to comb it or style it to any degree. I'm just happy he's washing it with shampoo -most of the time. Getting him to face the camera is mission impossible but somehow I managed.

Rain, Rain, Rain

Since the weather has been nothing but rain for the last few days I decided to find a truly scenic and relaxing pic to display rather than what it really is like here.

Ever since last week I have been sniffing and congested. I had thought it was just my allergies but I think it's time to admit that I have a cold. I really hate being sickly. I just want to sleep and watch TV. Tonight was Kirstin's open house but I sent Emil instead of going myself. I am thankful for the rain since it cancelled the scrimmage they were suppose to have today. Yeah rain!

Thoughtful thought for the day:

For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.

William Penn

Birth, in the same terms, turns us over from eternity into time.

Paul Dunn/ Richard Eyre

I have pondered this concept of time and eternity quite a bit over the past couple of months. It has been a phrase I've often said but rarely gave consideration. This is my conclusion. Time only exist on this earth. We mark time here during our life but our existence before and after our life here on earth are encompassed in eternity where time has no meaning. If you haven't thought about it before consider it.

Sometimes it's good to have a deep thought.

Soccer!!!!!

I think I mentioned that Kirstin made the Soccer team for the middle school.

Here's her coach. He must be from Boston because he has a very strong northern accent.

Her Honors English teacher is also helping coach the team. He's very nice with a lot of enthusiasm and I really liked him as a teacher. He had both Emil M. and Kirstin and would always ask about Emil M. when I'd see him at school last year.

It's a co-ed team. (I guess they don't have enough kids for a girls team and a boys team at this age here.) Anyway. She's been enjoying having practice everyday and Tuesday is her first scrimmage. They have to play 4 girls at all times and only 5 made the team so they will be running quite a bit. I think her position is defender? Is that even a position? I'm such a bad sports mom!

This is what I got when I told her to smile. You see what I'm dealing with here! She's such a stinker.