Apples, apples, apples

A few weeks ago we went to Leavenworth for a day trip - mostly to buy apples for applesauce, but also to see the fall foliage. Little did we know that we'd end up watching the Octoberfest parade in "downtown" Leavenworth. Also little did we know that we would bring home more pounds of fruit than we have pounds of children (72 vs. 67.) The applesauce making was fun, but messy, and I'm not sure we did it right. We'll see as we open the 17 jars over the winter. But I've learned a few things to do differently, should I ever feel like doing this again - most importantly, just do it all in one day, so you can clean up once and be done.

Kids showing off the apples they picked at the farm stand.

J and kids making applesauce

Me and kids using the food mill

We still have 15ish lbs of apples in our fridge - I see some pies and baked stuffed apples in our near future... since I've already made apple crisp and 4 loaves of apple bread.

Other recent adventures include a trip to Ballard Locks to see the Salmon (all one of her/him) and the boats. The kids were really interested in watching the boats be tied up to the sides of the lock, and the water fill it up like the bathtub.

J and G watching boats get tied up in the lock

The lock gates opening after the water level is equalized

Crossing the other lock gate - note that inside the lock the water is high, outside it is low. I think this whole system is pretty cool - a good example of simple principles underlying something that seems complicated.