Apples to Applesauce

When Mike's sister Rebecca told us she had apples available, I jumped at the opportunity! We love applesauce at our house.

The day I chose to pick them was rainy/snowy and cold... the kids didn't last long outside before their fingers froze.

The apples are so yummy this year! We have all had our fair share of them, but I think Tyler takes the prize.
 

I found a nest up in the tree. 

 

I may have been a little over-zealous.... I came home with four full boxes, but there were still tons on the trees!

My sister Dana came over and helped me get started on applesauce. We quartered and cooked the apples to soften them, then put them though the Victorian strainer. 

What a contraption! As easy as it makes it look, it does take a lot of muscle.

Again, Tyler take the prize on consumption. He loves this stuff!

After about 12 hours in the kitchen, I ended up with 25 quarts, a sore and tired body, sticky everything, and I still have 1 1/2 boxes of apples left! Now what?! I'm not sure I have the gumption to start all over, although I probably have enough to make 12 more quarts.