We decided to surprise the girls today and do a picnic lunch.  This area is one of their favorite picnic spots and it is close to home.  We had a great time.  We took so many pictures.  I will share them with you all over the next few days.  This is the road leading into the park.  After lunch we came home and had some difficulties with our stove.  As you all know, we have been using it a lot this summer.  Hubby only recently replaced all the stove eyes and their receptables.  Well, today as the steamer/juicer was busy with our second batch of cider, the receptable shorted out and caught on fire.  Praise the Lord, Hubby was here and got everything under control quickly.  This does mean, however, that until he can fix it the biggest eye on my stove is not usable.  Well, “all things worketh good”.  He has been wanting to fix us a place outside to use the propane burner to can on.  So today, prompted by need, he got the burner set up and I used it to cook the second batch of apples on.  It works really well.  I’m not sure how it will do using the pressure canner though.  We haven’t tried that yet.

We now have 2 gal. of apple cider.  YEAH!  We have been running the apples that have cooked down through the roma sauce maker.  Yesterday we just used it for applesauce.  It is really thick though as all the juice has been cooked out.  Today, we decided to try something a little different.  We make applebutter out of it.  No cooking involved-no simmering for hours praying it does not stick.  Just added the sugar and spices AND put it in freezer bags and froze it.  I’m not sure how it will be but it certainly was easier.  It tasted just like applebutter that had simmered for a long time so I think it will be good.

Well, I am tired so I think I will rest for a while.  Oh, I almost forgot, Hubby got the room painted today.  I guess the next step is to lay down the rug.  Getting closer every day.  Enjoy your evening and God bless.