Need some Sauce?

The subject was researched.
A detailed plan created.
Supplies were gathered.
Video and tech support were viewed and on hand for reference.
The date and time confirmed

The apples were harvested from the plentiful tree gracing the garden's on Devonshire lane.
We were ready.

Lori and Brenda were going to join forces and make applesauce.
Enough sauce to line our pantry shelves for months and to pass along to friends and family as token gifts as they left our homes for their own. . . a reminder of the hearty and bountiful meal we had  shared.

It was going to be an epic day. Our expectations soared as we saw the bushels of apples awaiting our careful peeling and coring attentions.  We started early. I even wore my heavy duty apron in case things got messy! Brenda began opening the cases of new Ball canning jars and boiling them sterile. 4 massive pots sat on the stove, awaiting their contents.  The brand new canning gadgets,  colored in bright lime green, were fun just to look at. So we began.

My hands were a flurry of peeling and coring and I could have been a well known host of a cooking show. Martha, Julia, and Rachel had nothing on me! Flecks of apple were in  my hair and down my front. Pounds and pounds of skins filled the sinks and had to be removed in heavy duty trash bags.

We reviewed the instructional video on saucing and canning several times to ensure our end product was free of pathogens- sealed tight so we could enjoy it for months to come without risking illness.
We had 2 vats full of apples, boiling happily into softness. The kitchen was smelling wonderful. The steam from the cooked apples seeped into our skin and coated our hair, and we smelled delicious! Natural perfume. None of that Bath and Body works spritz.

When the apples were done, we mashed and whipped them into a beautiful, light blonde, apple sauce. Feeling very domestic and frugal, getting our Amish on , and commenting how Organic our product will be, and it tastes incredible. Mott's may be calling to get the secret of our success.

 Brenda has beautiful labels laid out so we can date and name our sauce. The jars are lined up after their sterilizing bath, ready to be filled. The lids are also ready. Getting excited to use the lime green utensils. Oh what fun! Brenda and I are very complimentary to each other, working like a well oiled machine, team mates in our culinary creation. We are awesome! We may start our own Food network.

She has one vat of sauce and I have the other.  After 4 hours of work and prep, the finished product sits on the counter before us. I'm taking photos. "My first canning".

We begin to fill our jars. Our technique is flawless. Then, as I finish filling jar number 2, I made eye contact with Brenda. She was also on her second jar.

There is no more sauce. Our line up of  empty jars is just that. Empty . Our shared vision of lined pantry shelves and sauce for emergency  food sources for the next blizzard fizzles. We have 4 jars . The realization that we have over estimated the apple out put is overwhelming.

Solemnly, Brenda brings over the beautiful jar labels and a marker. I write the content, the date and created by on it and gently paste it on top of the applesauce.

As I hold the jar up and admire it, we begin to laugh. . . and laugh. . . and then- hysterically laugh!

The day was well worth every nickel and minute spent.

Are we Blue Ribbon winners for most jars of sauce in a day?  No. I can tell you this-  I am a Blue Ribbon winner for having such a fine friend that now shares a milestone memory with me and a whole lot of laughter- that is worth everything.

Thank you Brenda Lee. Do you need some sauce????