Our First Nebraska Apple Orchard Trip

The long-awaited opportunity came this week.   My son's preschool class had a field trip to a local apple orchard.  My daughters enjoyed their orchard visits when they were in preschool as well. However, I had other youngsters at home then, so I was not free to go--until now.

My son was thrilled to ride the bus that he had heard so much about from his sisters.  Can you tell?

We selected a couple of apples to take home.

Stopping to pick and eat raspberries was delightful.

Each child also got to pick out a pumpkin.

And hay bales kept kids busy until lunch.

In all, we had a wonderful morning together.  I was so glad to finally get the chance to experience the orchard with one of my children.  And I brought home some fresh, cold apple cider to share with the whole family.  A truly blissful day it was.

What field trips from your childhood do you recall with fondness?

This is linked to Try New Adventures Thursday, hosted by Alicia.

Elderberry Applesauce: An Experiment

Elderberries in September

In Search of Elderberries

In March of this year, our family was hit hard with the flu.  Wanting to strengthen our immune systems naturally, I thought of trying the elderberry-based herbal remedy, Sambucol.  While I didn't find any at the pharmacy we frequent, the thought of finding and making my own elderberry extract remained appealing.

Picking Elderberries

In late summer, I spotted a bush with dark purple berries.  I suspected they were elderberries, but wanted to be quite sure, so as to avoid a life-threatening mistake.  I finally gained enough confidence last week to pick some berries, using the information I found to distinguish edible elderberries from a similar lookalike plant that is highly toxic.

Making Elderberry Applesauce

I decided to sweeten the elderberries with apples.  So I peeled, cored, and cut up half a dozen apples, added some lemon juice, and tossed in what elderberries I had, which was about a handful.  After letting the mixture simmer in the slow cooker on low overnight, I realized I needed to add water and more sweetener.  I shook in some cinnamon as well, both for flavor and for its additional immune-boosting properties.  Here is a list of all the ingredients used to make the elderberry applesauce:

• Apple slices
• Elderberries
• Lemon juice
• Maple syrup
• Water
• Cinnamon

Results and Resolutions

I certainly plan to make elderberry applesauce again--next year, since this was the end of the season.  Next time I intend to pick the elderberries when they are juicier, rather than overripe. Also, I will not simmer the applesauce overnight, but rather keep an eye on the process, add more water, and stir it every once in a while so that the fruit cooks evenly.  Also, I might try straining out the elderberry seeds.  Nevertheless, I was happy with my first results, and hope that elderberries can help us stay healthier this fall and winter.

This week I'm linking to AP Tuesday, Try New Adventures and Pennywise Platter Thursday.

Menu Plan for the Week of 9/12 (with Winning Recipes)

This month I am trying to get my home in better shape using an e-book that I won in a giveaway.  It's called 31 Days to Clean: Having a Mary House the Martha Way, by Sarah Mae.   I still have a ways to go toward setting better habits, especially in the kitchen.  Executing my menu plan is one way I can keep the positive momentum going. 

Here's what is scheduled for this week:

• Sauteed Fish, Lentil Soup, Baked Potato Skins with Olives and Feta
• Chicken Pot Pie or Chicken Kebabs
• Lamb Chops, Tossed Salad, Baked Rice Pudding
• Salmon, Tricolor Risotto
• Pork Noodle Stir Fry
• Taco Salad, Rice

 

Do you find that menu planning helps keep you on track in the kitchen? 

10 Ways in Which a Chaotic Kitchen Costs Us More

When I recently won something in a recipe contest, I had to laugh.   Because if you looked at my kitchen on an average day, you would wonder how I manage to cook anything at all.  Dishes are often covering every available surface; I often have to locate and wash things just prior to preparing a meal.

Our family would surely be better off if I got my chaotic kitchen under control.  Since my husband is finishing up graduate school, we're still very much concerned with how we can reign in our costs.  A recent spending check has revealed that we need to work a little harder at saving money in every way we can.  A tidier kitchen will help.

Here are some of our current extra costs that I aim to eliminate:

1.  Frequent spills.  

Limited counter space means I spill and waste more food and ingredients, especially if they are precariously balanced near the edge of the counter or shelf.                                 

2.  Spoilage.   

In the fridge or the fruit bowl, not consuming food in a timely manner means we have to throw away food that could have been eaten otherwise. 

3.  Paper plates.   

I think convenience items are a great plan B when life gets hectic or one is physically exhausted.  But a messy kitchen encourages me to resort to disposable tableware more often than I should.                                                                                                                  

4.  Breakage and other damage.  

Cluttered counters and a full sink also increase the odds that I will crack or knock over a plate or glass.  I have also melted many a plastic item on the stovetop or in the oven (my favorite place to stow messes quickly).                  

5.  Eating out more.  

Sometimes it's just logical not to cook on top of a mess, so we opt to eat out when we could have saved money by eating at home.  

6.  Buying duplicate groceries.  

Ever thought you were out of something, only to find that very item lurking in the cabinet or back of the fridge? 

7.  Consuming more convenience foods.  

I try to keep some quick food options on hand, like taquitos, frozen pizzas, etc. so that we're not forced to eat out as often.  However, when I don't have room to make food from scratch, we run through these more costly items very quickly. 

8.  Less baking.  

Though I enjoy baking, when the kitchen is a mess, I am prevented from making bread, muffins, and other treats from scratch.  As a result I have to buy baked goods and pay more. 

9.  Unused ingredients.  

Languishing in the recesses of the cupboards are numerous ingredients that have not been used in a very long time.  Incorporating them into our menu (instead of letting them sit and possibly expire) would result in spending less at the grocery store.

 10.   Emotional energy.

While there's no shame in taking the easy road from time to time, walking into the kitchen should not be a continual source of discouragement for me and my husband.  Devoting more time to keeping the oft-used kitchen tidy would be one of the best ways for me to contribute to our happiness and well-being as a family.