Good times and Apple Pie!

We went apple picking, and the 2 cousins loved it!
I also canned 6 quarts of apple pie filling.

Apple Pie Filling:

YOU WILL NEED

• 12 cups sliced peeled cored apples, treated to prevent browning* and drained (about 12 medium)
• Water
• 2-3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup ClearJel® (cooking starch used for preserving)
• 1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2-1/2 cups unsweetened apple juice
• 1-1/4 cups cold water
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

*To treat apple slices to prevent browning, apply  according to the manufacturer's instructions or submerge cut apples in a mixture of 1/4 cup lemon juice and 4 cups water.

1. PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil.  Wash lids in warm soapy water and set bands aside.
2. BLANCH apple slices, working with 6 cups at a time, in a large pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm in a covered bowl.
3. COMBINE sugar, ClearJel®, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large stainless steel saucepan. Stir in apple juice and cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, and cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice, return to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Drain apple slices and immediately fold into hot mixture. Before processing, heat, stirring, until apples are heated through.
4. LADLE hot apple pie filling into hot jars leaving 1 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.
5. PROCESS jars in a boiling water canner for 25 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

The Maine Extension Service (and all extension services) are a wonderful resource for all kinds of information on gardening and canning
https://extension.usu.edu/utah/files/uploads/Recipes-Cooking-Canning/Pie%20Fillings%202011.pdf

Flowers from a dear friend....

2 cousins having fun!

Lets get ready for October

Happy October and a Blessed one too!

October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary!

Saturday October 1st is the feast day of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

October 4th is the feast

 day of St. Francis of Assisi.

Friday October 7th is the feast of

 Our Lady of the Rosary

October 15th is the Feast day of St. Teresa of Jesus

Teresa of Ávila


The 18th of this month is the feast day of St Luke

On the 22nd of October is the feast day of our much loved ST. JOHN PAUL II

These are just a few feast days this wonderful month....enjoy and God Bless!

Thursday the 29th of September is the Feast of Sts Micheal, Gabriel and Rapheal.

Thursday the 29th of September is the Feast of Sts Micheal, Gabriel and Rapheal.

The following recipes and information came from the wonderful web site/ blog:

http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/

Blackberry Tartlets For Michaelmas

According to an old legend, when St. Michael cast Lucifer out of heaven, the Devil fell on a blackberry bush and cursed and spat on the blackberries thereby rendering them sour after September 29.  Consequently, people would eat blackberries on Michaelmas but not after.

 Catholic Cuisine has offered a variety of blackberry inspired ideas over the years for St.

 Michael's day. This is a simple to make, bite-size appetizer or snack that would add the

 blackberry theme to a Archangel/St. Michael feast day.

Blackberry Tartlets

Ingredients

1 sheet pastry puff, thawed 

1 (8 ounce) package of brie, rind removed

blackberry jam (or puree)

blackberries

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Thaw pastry puff as per directions.
• Cut pastry puff sheet into 20 equal squares (I rolled out the sheet with a rolling pin so that it would be slightly larger before cutting)
• Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Press each square of the pastry dough into the bottom of each muffin tin. Be sure to press the crust all the way up the sides.
• Place a small chunk of brie in each tin.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• If puffs have risen too much push down gently with spoon to form indent. 
• Let the pastries cool for a few minutes, then remove from the pan and let cool completely. Add a small spoonful of blackberry jam (or puree) and top with a fresh blackberry.

St. Michael and all the Archangels, Pray for us!

Again the above recipe are from~~~http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com

  

     Catholic Cuisine is the best Catholic Food Blog that I have found yet! I love it and I think you will

 too!

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGELSt. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.. Prayer to Saint Gabriel the Archangel O Blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech thee, do thou intercede for us at the throne of divine Mercy in our present necessities, that as thou didst announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through thy prayers and patronage in heaven we may obtain the benefits of the same, and sing the praise of God forever in the land of the living. Amen.

Archangel Saint Raphael

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God," I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (name your request) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Happy Michaelmas!

We have the first maple syrup of the season!

It has been a very slow season thus far, but we have hope that this long winter will end and the sap will flow.

Congratulations 2015 Graduates!

Saturday, May 9, 2015 - Augusta Civic Center

This will me my Associates Degree in Library Services.

It is nice to finish these ongoing courses,

(Before I began library services, I already had my Ed Tech 3 authorization which is 90+ credits of course work...I just can not figure out what I want to do when I grow up! ).

This picture is Tim and I with our oldest grandchild Finnian. It was taken last spring when I finished with my Southern Maine Community College General Studies Degree.


Justin turned 23 yesterday!!!
I am so proud of him

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY TO YOU!

The end of my "long term subbing job" was Friday the 13th!

It was a wonderful 2 1/2 months...the staff were truly sorry to see me go and that felt nice.

I had a wonderful time and am very grateful for my time at the Wiscasset Middle School.

Thinking about summer and renting a camp for our 34th wedding anniversary.

This is an older photo of Tim and I the day Jacob, our oldest son became a dad. He and his wife Lindsay named their son Hunter!

Hunter is now 2 years old.

Tim and I will be celebrating our 34 wedding Anniversary this August. We have been so Blessed!

My Christmas Amaryllis are now in bloom!

January has flown by....I hope 2015 is a wonderful year for you!

I have finished all of my course work, and plan to graduate this spring with an associates in Information Library Services.  It is my hope that I get a full time job in the field of Library Services OR Special Education...BUT in the mean time I am working as a long term sub for the Wiscasset Middle School, ("long term" is until Feb. vacation, but maybe March 1st). 

The Wiscsset Middle School

It is nice to be working everyday...it has been 2 years, (all of the past 2 years was full of course work) since my last full time job.  I work in WMS  Special Education Department with the most wonderful students and staff!

These blossoms are as big as diner plates!

Ice Fishing Fun with the family.

Jacob with the only fish of the day.

Jennifer relaxing.

Finnian keeping warm!

Uncle Justin and Finn going for a walk .