I am not pouting...I am not pouting...I am not pouting...

Yeah...I am so full of it. I am pouting big time. :(

See this?

Yeah, you know that old saying--pride cometh before a fall. That's me. Oh yes, I was ever so pleased with myself. This is how I spent my Tuesday...and believe me, it took a big chunk of Tuesday! But in the end, I had five beautiful pints of applesauce made from apples from our very own tree. Oh yes, I was feeling proud! Yes, the words "domestic goddess" even escaped my husband's lips.

Oh, but the fall. The fall was hard. Yesterday I discovered that the lids had not actually sealed, as I had originally been convinced that they had. I've no idea where I went wrong. I'm guessing it was really more than that pride thing. ;)  Anyway, I admit, I cried a few little tears as I dumped out all my hard labor.

I feel sort of guilty that I already counted this towards my new 50x50. But Rich picked me loads more apples yesterday, so I'll make another attempt this week. And that will even things out, right? If I succeed, that is.

not a bad morning...

1 loaf of bread baking

2 loads of laundry washed and hung

3 lunches packed

4 quarts of fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes canned (yes, all by myself!)

5 pages of "William Wilson" read (yeah, not terribly impressive, but I couldn't think of anything else I'd done 5 of...and somehow it just seemed like there should be a 5)

Amazing what can be accomplished when one stays off the computer for a few hours. ;)  Anyway, I've decided that I've earned myself an hour of working in my creative space before getting back to cleaning the kitchen. Yes, at this point, the old creative space needs many hours of loving care to get it cleaned up and useable again...but that's okay, it's fun just to be in there and I find ideas just begin flowing. (Note to self: Take the time to write those ideas down in inspiration notebook! You *know* you never remember those ideas later when you don't!) (Another note to self: Take some before pictures.) Thank you to my dear friend Chris for inspiring me...seriously, Chris--thank you!

from garden to cupboard...

My wonderful mom came up Wednesday to give me a refresher course on canning. (It's been many a year. Since I've canned, that is. Not since my parents have visited.) We had a wonderful time all around...and I'm positively giddy with what I have to show for it. :D

Fresh picked from the garden.

 To the canner. Yep, that's my lovely mama.

To the jars. Just five jars this time, but there's plenty more tomatoes to come.

To the cupboard. My incredible new-to-me vintage cupboard that my mom just found at an antique mall. Yeah, I know you can't see those tomatoes inside it, but I just had to show a picture anyway because I am so freakin' in love with my new little cupboard. :D


Now the question is: Can I do this all by myself next week?