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.

School is In! Yeah!

Today was the first day of school for our crew. All the kids were ready to go and despite what was said the entire summer, they were excited. Noah got my friend Marlene as his teacher. I am way excited as I know she's a great teacher and Kirstin had the other 4th grade teacher and I really would rather not ever experience her again. It was one of those wasted years.

Blaze was on hand to see all the kids off and give them licky kisses before they headed to school. Blaze hasn't really gotten very tall but she is getting stout. She weighs around 45 lbs. This is the perfect size and I hope she stops growing right there. She's 5 months old now. We just love her to pieces. She is such a sweet dog.

Kirstin missed her bus because I thought it would be coming later so I told her not to wait outside. She was a little sad that she missed the bus but wasn't too sad since she got to ride to school with Emil M. in his car.

I just started letting her wear makeup about a month ago. She's fairly conservative but I wish she didn't want to wear any at all. She's so beautiful without. She's growing up way too fast for me. She's trying out for the soccer team which is co-ed. They are suppose to know the final cuts by the end of this week. Between that and band she is going to be one busy girl.

Emil Michael gets to drive this year to school and seminary. Yeah!!!! The little red car has served him well and is just the right size. Kirstin was riding in the front passengers seat but after showing a affection for beeping the horn while Emil Michael was driving we felt it best to have her ride in the back seat. This was not to her liking but when you can't keep your hands on your side of the car and the driver is a new driver precautions must be taken. I think this picture shows best how Emil Michael felt.

Well, I'd better get going. I got a new calling in church on Sunday. I am no longer the cub scout den mother I'm now the First counselor in the young women's program. I've served in YW's before and it's very demanding but lots of fun. Tomorrow is our first planning meeting. Then on friday the second counselor is scheduled to deliver her 4th baby. Glad she could schedule us in before Friday!

Gearing Up

I can't believe that it's been so long since I've posted. I don't know what we've been up to. Just the regular summer stuff I suppose.

Blaze finally finished her obedience class. I had Noah take pictures our last class so he would have something to do. I would show you pictures but I've took them with Emil Michael's camera and I can't get them downloaded into my directory. It's just too much of a pain. Emil thinks her kennel is too small for her so we're having her sleep in our room every night on a dog bed. She's doing pretty well with this since she got some practice when we went camping last time. She slept with Noah and Kirstin on the air mattress. (More pics that are on Emil Michael's directory. UGH!)

Kirstin is trying out for the Soccer team on Monday and she was asked to be a member of the pit crew for the High School marching band last Thursday. She will play the timpani. It's a large drum that looks like a gigantic bowl. Actually there are 4 that she plays. She'll do that every home game and for their competitions. She's pretty excited. She is definitely in her element. I'm excited for her since she didn't have much going on this summer. It's nice for her to be active again.

Emil Michael is busily writing the next great novel for our generation and driving. He has done pretty well this summer and I'm way excited for him to be able to drive himself to school this year.

Noah along with Christopher Corbo, has become a permanent resident at the Cahills. Brady, their son, is going to Middle school this year, 6th grade, so Noah's enjoying hanging out with the big dogs. He'll start up with cub scouts when schools back in session.

Emil and I are going to get to go to the temple this week for a wedding of one of our friends daughters. We are leaving Wednesday night after he gets off work and then coming back on Thursday. It will be a nice little get away. I'm looking forward to it.

That's about it. Only one more week of summer vacation left. While I don't look forward to getting up for seminary I am a lover of schedules so I will be happy to be back on one.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Emil doesn't let his belaying duties stress him out or the fact that he will be turning 38 on Sunday!!!

The past three days we have been camping at Sherando Lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was so beautiful. The weather was amazing for July! Slightly overcast and low 80's! So the reason we were there was to belay some scouts from the stake on Tuesday. Kirstin, Emil and myself belayed along with two of their leaders. There were around 16 scouts. Mostly older.

Of course Kirstin could not stand having all the boys climbing and her not strut her stuff so she got on the rock a couple of times too. I was content to let them have fun and just belay.

It's amazing how many pictures I get left out of because I'm the one taking pics.

Can I just say that the I had such a kink in my neck from looking up!

Our good friends the Bradys met up with us and camped with us. It was soooo good to hang out with them. They've been in Morocco for the past couple of years and now are moving to Oregon.

Here is Lori with her daughter Erin.

Kirstin and Erin found that they had a good deal in common.

Ryan is the same age as Noah and they both had a good time playing Star Wars together.

Nate was so cute! A bit mischievous but what 6 year old boy isn't?

And poor Kent! I kept calling him Ryan. He's 12?Almost 12? Somewhere around there.

On Wednesday we hiked Humpback rock which is a short, intense hike with a spectacular view.

Emil Michael loves to stand on the very edge and freak me out!

I loved the way the cloud was rolling across the valley.

Emil decided to try some bouldering.

Then express his awesomeness in his own special way.

It's his birthday week so I just let him be.

Marigolds, Blueberries and Roller Skates

In March Kai's class did a plant unit and he brought home a tiny marigold plant that we planted in the front flower patch. It's grown wonderfully and every time I see it I'm reminded of when we planted it together.

Our little blueberry bush has been producing berries for the past few weeks and though we don't average very many, just a handful a day, I've been really enjoying having fresh berries on my cereal in the morning.

This past week I took Kirstin and Noah skating with some friends of mine. We had a great time and memories of my middle school roller-skating days came to mind.

Noah and Kirstin actually did quite well.

Kirstin and Olivia Resto

Brady Cahill, Noah and Solomon Pennington

Me, Shelly Sweeney, Tina Pennington and Kari Cahill

This next week we are going camping and helping the stake do some rock climbing on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'll post when I return!