A lesson

This past week I learned a lesson - a lesson in applesauce-making and a lesson in life.

It was a brutal reminder that while you can have it all (family, career, clean house, time to yourself, etc...) you can't have it all at one time. I have a really hard time with that fact.

All these pictures are from my first batch. I got a 40lb box of apples from Bountiful Baskets. I peeled the apples (with the help of my mom and grandma, which was fun), cooked them in a roaster, used an immersion blender (thanks Cori) then canned it. I made 11 pints plus a bigger tupperware container full. I made it slightly chunkier and with lots of (maybe too much) cinnamon.

This weekend, I tried an alternative method. I quartered the apples, cooked them - peel and all - and then used a food mill (with Dac's help) to make the sauce. Time-wise, it probably ended up being about the same. As far as the difference in texture... it was much more smooth... like what you'd buy at the store. It was also much lighter in color and didn't have as strong of a flavor. Also, instead of canning it, I put it into small storage containers and froze it.

Anyway, hooray for yummy homemade applesauce and for lots of help making it happen. Boo for needing help in the first place and it taking time away from other things. The truth is, as much as staying home and doing this kind of project regularly sounds nice... that's not my normal. My normal is work during the day (and some evenings and weekends) then scramble to have something halfway nutritious on the table at night and clean clothes for the week, all while trying to throw in some quality time and good memories. At this point in my life, anything more than that is just bonus. It's so hard for me to come to terms with that. I'll get it eventually right!? =)