Outside My Door...

Fall is finally here in Ohio. The last couple of weeks we have had cool temperatures during the day and temperatures in the 30's at night. As much as I love the change of seasons, I am not ready for the really cold and snowy weather we will soon be having. The older I get, the more I find that I want my warm days to stick around. 

It is a beautiful morning. The air is crisp and cool and after it being rainy and overcast yesterday, the sun is shining. Here is just a little peek of what is outside my back door...

My husband, Steve, sitting in one of his favorite places...

And of course, Lily isn't too far from his side. She loves to get her picture taken...

We got this sign this morning at the local Republican headquarters. We also got FREE tickets to see John McCain this Monday at an area high school for a Road to Victory Rally. We are taking the boys, so it should be a memorable day.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend where you are!

Apple Butter Time...

Fall in our house means one thing... Apple Butter! 

My mother-in-law has been making apple butter for years. Grandma is known for her apple butter. She has learned over the years to even keep a supply in hiding so that there is enough to last throughout the year.  About six years years ago, she shared the "secret" family recipe with me as well as sharing the technique of making apple butter. Come the first of September, my mother-in-law will start keeping her ears open to where we will be able to find apples. We do have an orchard nearby but we aren't always fortunate enough to get there in time or the crop hasn't been very good that year. 

This year, however, apples were in abundance so we sat out early one morning to go picking...

I brought home a whole bushel...

With this many apples to peel, you have to have one of these...

Ever since the boys were very small they have been part of making the apple butter. They really do enjoy making it as much as eating it...

This was probably the juiciest bushel of apples we've ever had. The juice was going everywhere-the floor, the cabinets, the refrigerator and us! After we finished we all had a really nice shower.

Once the apples were all peeled, it was then time to chop and get them into the crock pot...

Let the cooking begin...

The secret to the recipe is the cooking time-12 hours! The next morning we woke up to the wonderful smell of apple butter.

I found a really great tip from Sandy at 4 Reluctant Entertainers. Instead of using the water bath method to seal the jars, she suggested just turning the jars upside down to allow them to seal. I gave it a try and it really worked! Here is the canning method I used:

~ Place jars in a boiling pot of water for about 10 minutes. You can also run them through the rinse cycle of the dishwasher. Dry jars before use.

~Boil the canning lids and rings and keep them hot until ready to use.

~Fill the hot jars using a wide mouth funnel with jelly, preserves, jam, or apple butter.

~Make sure the rim of the jar is clean.

~Place hot lid onto the jar and screw ring onto jar tightly.

~Flip the jars upside down so the heat of the apple butter is in direct contact with the seal.

~Cool jars slightly, and then turn back to upright position.

~You will know if the jar is sealed when you push down on the lid and it doesn't pop back up. With a few of mine, I just had to push down on the lid and it sealed. 

My pantry is now stocked with jars of apple butter and even a few jars of applesauce. 

Of course with all this apple butter you have to have lots of biscuits!!!

Ike Makes His Way...

It's actually Sunday night as I sit here and write this post. I usually find myself on Sunday nights getting ready for the upcoming week. I pull out my calendar and just go over appointments, meetings, soccer practices and games, guitar lessons, and Jessica's work schedule. This week is a busy one for me.  I like Mondays really because it's a new beginning and I feel like I have a fresh start. Typically, I try to leave Mondays open so that I can be here at home. Doing those couple loads of wash, straightening up the house, and just having a little down time.

As I sit here tonight though, I have just found out that my Monday won't be as I had planned. School has just been closed for tomorrow as a result of hurricane Ike making his way through the state of Ohio. We have trees down all around us and I honestly think that we are one of the few in this area that still has power. I've shared before that we live on the highest point in the county.  I just looked out the window to the neighborhood across the street where typically you can see homes with all their lights on. There is nothing but darkness. I've talked to family and friends who have been without power since early this afternoon and have been told their neighborhoods look like war zones. After watching the news, we have found out that over 200,000 people are without power in this area. They are saying it could take days before power is restored. Winds reached 63 mph here in Beavercreek. 

The high winds started this afternoon as we were leaving to go to church. We were supposed to be having a picnic and a baptism service outside, but because of the threat of severe weather, plans were changed. There is nothing like a good old fashioned church potluck and we celebrated the people who today made a public display of their faith. 

I couldn't believe how hard the wind was blowing as we made our way down to church this afternoon...

I really was having a pretty good hair day.

When we got back home we found our driveway looking like this...

The thing is, I know that this does not even compare to the destruction and damage that occurred on the gulf as a result of this massive hurricane. My heart goes out to the many people who have lost their homes, possessions, and not being able to have basic necessities- water, power and food. I admire the courage, the determination, and the will they have to withstand the coming days. It certainly has made me have a heart of thankfulness when all I have around me is some fallen trees. At the same time, my heart is breaking because of what they are going through.

Life can change so quickly. The character of God never changes and in that I have peace for today, tomorrow, and the days to come. Let's remember to pray for all of those who have been in the path of this storm. That God would be real to them in a way like never before. That hearts would be turned to Him and that those who don't know the Lord would cry out to Him and believe that He is good and He is near. For strength and rest as they begin to get their lives and homes together again. Jesus, be their refuge in the storm.

Psalm 121~

I lift up my eyes to the hills-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel 

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you-

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm-

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Glimpses Of Fall...

This morning when I was making the bed I looked out our window and saw this...

I know this isn't the greatest of pictures, but if you look closely you will see the leaves that are starting to turn colors. Even though it has been in the upper 80's the past few days, I know that the cool and crisp days of autumn are quickly approaching. It's not uncommon here in Ohio to have temperatures in the 80's through October and I remember one year we even had snow. 

This weekend I was out and bought some mums...

The change of seasons between summer and fall is my favorite I think. One reason is because I absolutely love the colors- browns, golds, and reds. We have many trees around us so I'm hoping for a spectacular show of colors this year in spite of the dry summer we've had. 

 Even though I love the care free days of summer and pretty much no schedule to follow, I am ready for a routine again. Soccer practice and games, guitar lessons, youth group, and bible study are all things that are being put on the calendar again. I find comfort in a routine. 

Once the cooler days approach I know it's time to bring out my favorite soup recipes. I think I could have soup every night of the week. It's also time to bring out the recipe for pumpkin bars, chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin whoopie pies. Yum!

I really am more of a homebody so that is another reason why I love this time of year so much. I'm ready to sit by the fire in the evenings playing games as a family, reading a book, or watching a movie. I'm ready to make our home look and smell like fall. Mums and pumpkins by the front door, and leaves and pumpkins set upon the mantle. Yesterday I brought out my favorite candle for this time of year- caramel apple. Even though it was almost 90 degrees outside, it felt like fall inside. 

Yes, I'm ready for fall. Maybe I'll spend the day gazing out my bedroom window knowing it soon will be here.