With all the extra goings on, it's taken me a little while to get through the second batch of 3 gunny sacks of apples, but they are now cleared from my kitchen floor!
Leah came by and helped for the day. She is always such a sweet addition to our lives.
She and Michael found a semi-comfortable place to anchor the Apple gadget to and proceeded to knock off about 1/2 of our latest bounty.
With a fan to blow away the flies they got pretty quick at it.
And I ended up inside mostly prepping all the canning stuff. These went mostly to apples in light syrup...
And apple pie filling.
I wish I could say we got it all done, but it actually took us several days to complete the project. Michael went after them with the juicer
These all went toward applesauce. We are currently up to 34 quarts of it. Later on, I'll take some of that and cook it down into apple butter and can that.
I had a problem with my first batch of applesauce yesterday. All the jars overflowed and I had to reprocess them. But the rest went fine.
Michael and I got a special treat yesterday. We went for a visit with some friends of ours who are buyers and sellers of ginseng. We got to participate in seeing what they do, even being able to take part in the sorting.
I've got to tell you, that's a LOT of ginseng, and I can't imagine even being able to find and harvest all that these people do. It was about a refrigerator full, and that's how much they get every single day.
Michael took these with his little camera. They sure came out yellow. That's not the actual color of the room.
Ginseng is closely regulated by the government concerning harvest. The earliest you can harvest a root is if the plant has reached three years of age. This can be told by the rings on the neck of the root. They are VERY slow growing. Some of these roots are barely an inch long.
Their main market is China. So many Chinese buyers come here to inspect and purchase what has been collected. Interesting stories.
Being a fan of classic automobiles, I was not hurting to be working next to this beautiful car.
If you don't want to see a yucky picture, stop reading now!
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FINALLY got this guy! He's been evading traps for weeks!
You'll never guess what Michael did with him, when I said to take care of it.
He let him go in the woods next to the house...
Well, well, well! Our replacement rooster chick seems to have finally developed his crow this morning!
Tomatoes today. Pears tonight.
~Faith
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I still have applesaauce in the freezer from last year, so I don't think I will be canning any this year. But...that apple pie stuff looks really good! I might have to look up a recipe for that! This is apple country out here, ya know! Michigan apples are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Faith, that's a TON of work, at least you had many hands helping. I'm sure you're really going to feel great about it when you're eating the apples in the middle of winter! I love those swirly cutters!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can ever have too many apples! My Hubby's Grandfather used to harvest ginseng on the acreage we are trying to sell. I was told our place would be excellent for growing it by some foresters. I might plant some next year. I am going to be planting ramps soon. Do you all have ramps down there? If you want, this Spring I will try to send you some. My friend sticks it in the dehydrator and grinds it up. It makes an excellent seasoning!!!!! It would make an excellent addition to your harvest! :0)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
I enjoyed your ginseng story. I have never seen any and I do think it is very good for the body.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Cyn,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've been wondering if we'll eat it all. LOL But I just can't stand to think of throwing any apples away.
I've heard about your apples. They have a reputation that is quite inspiring. :)
Crisp, crunchy, sweet-tart, those are my favorites.
They look and smell so lovely in bloom and in fruit.
~Faith
Jo,
ReplyDeleteThat's what I keep saying. LOL
I'm hoping for an apple moosher. Can't think of what you call them right now - but this kills my juicer. I don't want to use it for processing any longer.
~Faith
SBF,
ReplyDeleteYou should get started on the ginseng right away. It can take up to three years to germinate, then it's at least another three years until they are beginning to be harvested. Plant them now for retirement.
I don't know about ramps. I can only picture care ramps. :-P Tell me about them!
~Faith
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI used to hear it was good for memory, now you don't hear that so much. I'm not sure what everyone is so excited about it over, but I'm happy to help do my part to fulfill a need. Point me to a pile and I'll help sort it. :)
~Faith
For Michael regarding the mouse:
ReplyDeleteThe quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.
Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
Act IV, Scene I
:o)