SAVE THE APPLES!

I have a ton of apples this season and hate to see them go bad.  So, I found this information on storing apples on About.com and thought I might share. Enjoy!  P.S. what do you do to save your fall produce?

1. Start with apples that keep well. Late-ripening varieties (those harvested in October) usually do best. These include: Red Delicious, Ida Red, Winesap, Crispin, Stayman, Rome, Northern Spy and Turley.
   • More Apples that Keep Well
2. Inspect all apples for bruises, cuts and soft spots. Only perfect fruit is suitable for storage.
3. Sort the apples by size: small, medium and large. Since large apples don't store as well, this will make it easy to ensure that they get eaten first.
4. Place the sorted apples in perforated plastic bags or in boxes lined with perforated plastic (to allow for air circulation).
5. Store in a cool basement, garage, fruit cellar or refrigerator. The ideal storage temperature is 30-32°F with 90% humidity. Apples are likely to suffer freeze damage if the temperature dips below 30° and will ripen quickly, if the temperature rises above 40°, so do your best to match these conditions.
6. Check regularly for signs of spoilage, and remove any damaged fruit.

Tips:

1. Pick apples when they are ripe. Over or under-ripened fruit will not store well.
2. Store apples as soon after picking as possible.
3. Avoid storing your apples near onion or potatoes. They'll readily absorb the flavor of other foods.
4. Don't mix apple varieties. Different varieties ripen at different rates.
5. Expect your apples to last up to five months in storage (depending on variety and storage conditions).

What You Need

• Apples
• Plastic bags
• Boxes

You are my Help

Psalm 63:6-8 NLT

6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

Life Captured

Life Captured

Ah, fall is here.  I feel like reading a book, sitting next to a warm fireplace, and sipping hot cocoa (Multitasking, something I am not normally good at but I think I could handle this one).   Another thing that has been buzzing my brain is home improvement.  It seems I want to do everything from re-organizing my living room to completely transforming my curb appeal.  PLUS, I feel a sense of urgency since the weather is bound to change soon....like snow kind of weather.  I could be wrong and we could have the whole winter reach only a shivery 40 degrees but I have a feeling that is not going to be the case.  

I've also been busy cooking/ baking.   We have discovered the joy of homemade bread, especially in the morning for breakfast.  It smells wonderful and tastes like we are getting spoiled.  Steve puts homemade apple butter on his.   Another treat of the season (one I had been looking forward to) is Butternut Squash soup.  SOOOO good and definitely NOT weight watchers approved!

What have you been up to for the fall? 

Life Captured

It's been a busy week at least it feels like it.  We've either been out and about or busy getting stuff done at home.  The weather has me in SUPER good spirits and even Nolan gets excited about his Halloween costume (he's worn it everyday since we got it!).  Jane is preparing for the colder days by adding on girth.  JUST LOOK AT THOSE CHUNKY LEGS!!! She is the cutest chunk I've ever seen!  For me this is the weather of (homemade) marshmallows, sweaters, soup, bread and boots.  I love it! 
I've been in the kitchen a lot too making Homemade bread (both yeast and quick), Marshmallows, Pie, Chocolate syrup, and instant oatmeal.  I need to start taking pictures of it all...I just get caught up eating it. :)  

What is your favorite season? and do you have any traditions in the fall?

At Home

Nolan and his favorite shirt. 

"Oh no you didn't."

Only parents have construction band-aids on their boo boos.

Life has been awkward lately. We've started potty training again (I know I'm crazy but we have a good reason).  I've stopped drinking milk and have cut back on cheese and such, this is to help Jane.  She seems to spit up less with this new diet. 
I think my biggest awkwardness or misconception is rounding up my kids ages and expecting them to be the age I think they should.  For example, Noland should be five and Jane six months, but much to my frustration life doesn't work like that.  So, Nolan is three (in a month) and Jane is seven weeks old and we are having fun at home as well as out and about. This is a season like Fall or Christmas and I'm learning to savor it.

Life Captured: Deanna Rose

Deanna Rose is such a fun place to go, and even I got wide eyed when I saw the garden of wind chimes.  Just look how big they are!!!

Life Captured

N at the doctor's office while Jane was getting her one month check up.

I hope that you had a great weekend and Monday for that matter.  We had a lot of fun half of which is not pictured above. Like every Saturday we went to the City Market to pick up our 10 pounds of produce.  This is the last month and I'm sad.  I really love the market and getting fresh produce. Sadness.
We went to the Lees Summit Oktoberfest, rode rides (N & I did the huge slide twice!), and enjoyed friends.  Sunday was fellowship with friends, eat really spicy peppers, and watch football.
Monday came way too early.  Jane had a doctor's check up, and we needed groceries (no milk or cereal is hard on a toddler).  We survived.