::30 Days:: Day 11

These are the last of the 2 bushels of apples we bought. I had just enough left to make apple butter today. Part of me is glad that I am finally done with the apples, that none went to waste and every last one was eaten or made into something. Another part of me is sad to see them gone, now I have nothing else to can. Canning is addictive, no, really, it is. I start eyeing different fruits and veggies and wonder what I can do with it. I saw an ad in the local paper from a local orchard, offering up apples specifically for apple butter at $6 a bushel --whoa, cheap!! But there is a catch:: You have to buy at least 10 bushels. Ugh! No thanks. I'm done with peeling apples!

We went hunting for more black walnuts this afternoon. We have a whole wagon full! Middle refused any help at pulling the heavy wagon up the hill, she flexed her muscles and said, "I can do it!" My super girl!

Nothing like homemade biscuits for dinner. I'm not normally a biscuit eater, I prefer rolls, but after tasting these, I've been converted! Too easy to make and so so so good! I double the recipe for leftover biscuits to snack on the next day. They taste great with jam!

2 cups flour

4 tbsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 stick frozen butter

almost 1 c milk

combine dry ingredients; grate (yes, GRATE) frozen butter on top of flour mixture. Add 1/2 cup of milk to start and combine with hands. Add more milk until not too wet and not too dry. On lightly floured surface, flatten dough about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out biscuits and place on ungreased baking sheet. Cook at 450* for 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Makes 12.

I dare you to eat just one!

The apples at the beginning of the post have turned into this:: nearly 10 half pints of apple butter. I cooked it in the crockpot, freeing me to go about my day, hunting for walnuts, making biscuits and nursing the baby, only occasionally stirring. It cooked almost 11 hours-- Thank goodness for crockpots!

** CPS worker came this morning. He wrote in his file that there was nothing abusive or neglectful in our home and behavior and told us that this is his last visit with us. He was a really nice guy and under different circumstances, I could see being good friends with him. He stayed about an hour talking with us and asked the required questions on his paper and often started a question with, "This doesn't apply to you, but I have to ask..." When he left, I felt good, a big contrast from his first visit when I was upset and crying. I hope this will be the end of dealing with CPS, we did everything they asked us to and cooperated fully with them and their requests and I am sure that showed them we were serious about our children and our roles as parents. I'll be watching for copies of the paperwork when the case is officially closed.