Apple Butter

A friend brought me apples, found a couple of recipes that I want to try. The first one is

Apple Butter made in the instant pot.

The recipe made 8 jars.

 Apple Butter

5 lbs apples cored and sliced

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tbsp cinnamon 

pinch of salt

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup water

Combine all the ingredients in the pressure cooker and mix well.

 Secure the lid and set timer for 1 hour on high.

After 1 hour let the steam escape and  remove the lid.

Blend the apples until smooth with and immersion blender and pour into jars (will keep for about 3 weeks in refrigerator) or 

process in hot water bath for 10 minutes.

Sampled after it was finished, very good! 

"Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious."

"A bruised apple is not all bad. It still has tremendous potential."

 ~Cheryl~

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Garden Meal

A simple supper!

Fresh tomato sandwich, my first little melon, and sauerkraut...

A friend helped me make sauerkraut.

Flavor is so different from the canned sauerkraut from the store. I have always liked sauerkraut, first time having it fresh and I love it! 

Have a couple more heads that I will be making into sauerkraut.

Trying to eat more fermented foods .Have also made fermented pickles and green beans with dill.

 

~Cheryl~

 

 

 

Summertime

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 

~ Cheryl~

Joy of Gardening

 Hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

I have enjoyed gardening even as a little girl,  I remember hoeing up any little spot I could find and planting some of my mom's seeds. 

A garden truly does feed not only the body but, also the soul.  

 Working in the garden (even weeding) is so relaxing, it melts away the cares of the day!

Soon will be enjoying the fruits of all the work...

I even enjoy the stray plants that pop up in a garden...

This sunflower plant will definitely be shading some of my plants, but I just didn't have the heart to pull it out :0)

Now I just have to figure out how to control the oats that are sprouting nicely in the straw that I used to mulch some of the garden this year.  

There is always something to figure out in a garden!!

A list of what is planted in my garden...

Lettuce (two kinds) cabbage (early & late) kale, spinach, broccoli, onions, beans (green & purple) peas, peppers, tomatoes (four varieties)  basil, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, sweet corn, zinnias, and a sunflower...

Cultivate the garden of your heart by seeking God.

Proverbs 4:23

~Cheryl~

A Sweet Companion

A dear friend gifted me with a golden retrieve.

The Lord has provided for my every need these past months, even in ways I never would have dreamed of.  I am so happy to have a dog again. She is so friendly, but I also know she will be a protector if needed.  She is so lovable and such a comfort. 

I have been so blessed!

Meet Dixie

And my God shall supply all your

needs according to His riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

~Cheryl~

Spring

 Spring has finally come to stay.

  Enjoying the new life of spring.

My first Virginia Blue Bells, a friend shared a couple of plants last year.

The tulips didn't do as well this year, the 28 inches of snow we got after they were up, broke some of them off. So enjoying what did blossom!

The flowers of spring are so refreshing after a long winter!

My favorite blooms and smell of spring is the lilacs!

The chicks are growing, waiting to see how many hens I have.

Have some interesting color combinations...hoping for different colored eggs!

For, lo, the winter is past...
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds is come...
Song of Solomon 2:11a, 12a

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest,
and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night
shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22

Thankful the Lord is in control of the seasons and each day of my life. 

~Cheryl~

Tea Cup Exchange

This was my first time for joining in on the Tea Cup Exchange that Stephanie from 

The Enchanting Rose coordinates. She does such a wonderful job. Thank you so much for all of your hard work in making this so special for each of us!

It was so much fun!

My package came from Debbie over at  She Graces Her Home. Everything in her package was so me, it was as if Debbie had known me for years. Her package came just at the right time on a day I was struggling some, what a blessing her package and precious note was to me.

There was so many fun baking supplies that I have already been using.  Enjoyed the salted caramel chocolate bar and hot chocolate.  Saving my tea for when friends come over to enjoy!

Have been looking through the little recipe book trying to decide what to make to take to the ladies that I visit at the assisted living home.  

 The tea cup has my two favorite colors pink and green...it is so lovely!

I love the Praise Series CD, makes such good listening to when driving and the little dish Debbie sent that says "pray everyday". It's a reminder to walk close to the Lord daily!

My special gifts came in this lovely box! 

I felt so loved and spoiled by  Debbie and have made a very special friend, if only we lived closer, would love to have Debbie over for tea and a special treat!

Thank you so much Debbie for all of your sweet gifts, I thank the Lord for putting us together. 

Joyfully,

Cheryl