Ash of All Trades

Cheap apples at the stores this week - made me really wan to make this: Homemade canned applesauce! I searched the Internet high and low and didn't find a recipe I liked so I took a whole bunch and combined them all! Start by washing your apples! Core and slice your apples. Then peel them. Place peeled apples in a large dutch oven. Add 1.5 cups of water.  Add 1/2 cup brown sugar. (You could do sugar free but I used "sour" granny smith's) Add 1 cinnamon stick - for a light cinnamon flavor. If you love cinnamon applesauce increase to 2-4. Bring the water at the bottom to a boil over high heat. Then stir. Cover and cook on medium heat for 30-35 minutes. Stirring every 15 minutes. When they are done cool for a minute or two! Puree with a stick blender stuck right into the pot. Here is your end product!!!!! Delicious Applesauce! Recipe: 6.5 lbs of apples (at least two kinds - I used...

Today was my very first House Party and it was a ton of fun!  We enjoyed making and preserving Freezer Strawberry Jam and preserving Marinara Sauce.  My guests are all looking forward to canning again in the future and some neighbors and I plan to make a ton of different jams for Christmas presents!  Here are pictures from our day! The Finished Product: Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam Rinsing the most delicious strawberries ever! Everyone hanging out and mashing berries! The best gift ever from my super crafty friend and neighbor: Monica @ http://monica-polkadotsandpeonies.blogspot.com/   Patriotic decorations - flowers and flags - in all American Ball Jars! Setting up the iced tea station.  Jars with bands, straws, and labels made perfect cups! The goody bags! Everyone munching on the: bruschetta, chips & salsa, cheese & crackers, cookies and fruit! Mashing 12 lbs of strawberries! Marinara Sauce Cooking Filling jars with marin...