Day of fruit

It was Labor Day, so we labored. Labored processing bushels of fruit so that it didn't rot. J. and I did the bulk of the work, but children pitched in here and there. The total for the day? 
  • 18 cups of sliced peaches for pie (in the freezer)
  • 16 cups of sliced apples for pie (in the freezer)
  • 7 pints of caramel apple pie filling (canned)
  • 21 quarts of applesauce (in the freezer)
That used up about a half bushel of peaches and cleaned off the peach trees. (Those poor trees. They are so old and barely alive, but they managed to produce a significant amount of fruit this year. Children have been able to eat as many peaches as their hearts' desire, and how often does one get to do that? It feels like a last hurrah for the trees, though. I'm not counting on them making it through the winter.) We processed probably close to two bushels of apples, and we had probably used another bushel before today. You wouldn't know that we had picked any, though, because the trees are still loaded. And that's just the trees in our little orchard. There is another apple tree out behind the horse pastures that also is loaded with beautiful apples.

So. Many. Apples.

J. has created a sort-of cider press that he successfully managed to get about a quart of cider from his first attempt. With so many apples, having an actual cider press at some point would be pretty amazing. (They are not cheap.) 

And now I am pooped and tired of standing. I'm off to relax with a book for the evening because tomorrow is our first day of not-back-to school, which means a trip to an area museum. Starting actual school is going to feel pretty darn relaxing.

Some pictures from the day.

Helpful girls working on peaches

Caramel apple pie filling (which is as good as it sounds)

Applesauce

K. didn't help process fruit, but he did keep himself busy using the glue sticks I bought him last week.

K. modeling his army tactical vest out of cardboard

And the back


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