Apples Galore - (old post that never got finished)

I've got several old posts that I started and never added... not sure why. I decided I'd go ahead and add them, so here you go!

Well, I made 4 apple pies weekend before last. It would have been 5, but some came back from my husband's meeting. I've canned 29 pints of applesauce so far. I've still got about 20 pounds of apples left and am thinking an apple crisp will be made very soon! Hayden was a bit under the weather last weekend, so there wasn't too much cooking going on.

I'm knitting along on Lainey's socks... I think I'm ready for the toe, but need to try it on her when she gets home. (These are going to be too small -- she's going to have huge feet, just like me!) Hayden wants rainbow socks, so those will be started next. (Never were... he changed his mind). I make them each a pair of socks to go in their stocking, but this year Lainey decided on a hat and Hayden wanted fingerless mitts. I'm also making pj's this year (vs. buying them like I've done in the past). I'm using the Bedtime Story Pajama pattern from Oliver and S. I'm planning to just make the bottoms for Hayden and find a matching t-shirt.

My Ishbel is now further than when I had to frog it back. The Malabrigo lace is so soft! I've been holding it to my neck and I think this is the first wool that I'll actually be able to wear right next to my skin.

Some knitting, etc.

I'm feeling all better and have been knitting, crafting, etc. this week. I (finally) finished a little pair of socks I started for L. They were way too small, so I gifted them to a friend. I started a new pair for L in Patons Stretch Sock in Plum. I also cast on for an Ishbel with my friend, Aimee.I'm using Malabrigo lace in Hummingbird. It was a lot bigger, but I found a mistake and wasn't able to drop down to fix it. Luckily, I'm in the stockinette section, so it shouldn't take too long to catch back up!

I finished up L's book bag. My husband asked what MSG stood for... I had to explain that it was L's monogram (L is from her nickname)! I think it turned out well for my first freezer paper stencil attempt. I've got t-shirts for both kids that we're going to work on Sunday afternoon while Doug is gone to a meeting. I can't wait!

I can't get ahead of myself though. My nephew is spending the night tonight and we're making turkey burgers. I also rented Monsters vs Aliens as our Friday night movie. Then, we'll be going to the market in the a.m. to pick up several bags of apples (a mix of gala and granny smith) for pie and applesauce making tomorrow. (I'll probably be going alone while they watch cartoons, but that's okay!) I've still got all my canning equipment out and just need to wash the jars and lids and get organized. I made more pickles last weekend and may get a few more canning tomatoes tomorrow, if they're available. I feel like a little squirrel stocking up for the winter! So far I have...

17 pints and 1 quart of dill pickles (spears and sandwich slices), 7 pints and 10 half-pints of apple butter, 8 pints of salsa, 5 pints of hot sauce (for Black Bean Chilequile, a Moosewood recipe), 6 quarts and 9 pints of pasta sauce, 14 quarts of tomatoes, 6 bags of frozen red peppers, 2 batches of frozen pesto, 6 bags of shredded zucchini, 25 pounds of frozen blueberries and 1 bag of frozen corn!

Luckily, we have a huge freezer that is also filled with beef from a friends family farm, salmon, sausage, bread (when it's on sale), some frozen veggie lasagna and a lot more. That reminds me, I need to get a few more veggies when I get the apples and make a double batch of veggie lasagna (a Moosewood recipe). We have some friends that just had a baby and I'm planning to take them a pan along with salad and bread. Looks like it will be a busy weekend!

Now, for a quick pick up of the house and a little sit down with my knitting! L and I are volunteering in the library at H's school during his library time and will be working for his teacher for an hour or so after. I'm so glad that I'm able to do things like this! I remember my mom being there to help when I was in elementary school and I hope my kids have the same fond memories!