Gift wrap station underneath a Winter Sampler

Time to get serious!  I have a little shopping to do, then wrap, wrap, wrap.

The sampler quilt is very simple because I developed it for teaching classes,

a long time ago. The blocks are a patchwork house, an easy tree, an Ohio Star,

and an appliqued Cardinal. I don't know why I didn't bind this one in red,

I made so many other quilts with red edges.

You can see the tangerine marmalade that arrived from my sister in California,

I won't be giving that away!



9 jars of Apple Butter for gifts ready to go.

9 jars of Apple Butter for gifts ready to go., a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

There are potent cranberries in the fridge, and a new batch of cranberries cooling. The new batch will get potato vodka in it for a gluten-free friend.
And some for me.

Apple butter

Finished the apple butter today, canned 4 jars for gifts, refridgerated 1 jar for me.  I made the apple butter in 2 stages, first cooked all the chopped apples in the skin and got applesauce,

That is a lot of mess for a bowl of applesauce!

Then that whole mess minus my bowlful was cooked again today, together with cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and ground cloves.

Today the apples cooked almost all day.  They cook down and concentrate into spiced apple deliciousness.

It's a miracle.  The jars all sealed.  Well not really a miracle, it's science.

I get nervous waiting for the ping when the jars seal. Maybe you don't.

Four presents, the recycled jam jar full of apple butter is for me.

My favorite way to have apple butter is on whole wheat English muffins, with lots of butter or margerine.

             I bought English muffins in advance.
             This is so good.
             The texture is silky, the spices are apparent without being overwhelming.

             Practically perfect in every way.
             Not me.
             Not this kitchen.
             But the Apple butter is.
             I think I'll make some more.



Apples ready to pick at the orchard.