Pressing Ci-i-ider Through a Straw....

or, a cider press

Doug and I had about 500 lbs of apples left from a Young Single Adult activity and needed to use them before they went bad.  Thankfully there is a great couple in our ward that owns a President Jorgensen Handmade Cider Press.  They were wonderful to let us and about 4 other families come and press the crazy amount of apples for FHE last night.

It was pretty dang cold out, but the kids had fun helping out with this amazing contraption.  They did go in and out of the garage, snacking on hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate and delicious peach cobbler.  So, they did thaw out every once in a while.

I'm thinking that we got about 30-40 gallons of apple cider.  And it's yummy!  The apples are Yakima fuji's and super sweet.  I'm not a juice/cider drinker, but there is something about this stuff that makes me want to drink glass after glass of it. Hmmm....maybe it's the pregnancy.

The moon started to rise while we were wrapping things up.  It was so beautiful. 

It was a great night spent with family and friends...and lots of apples!

Tree Time

Last year we were very blessed to have one of my lovely friends deliver our Christmas tree.  We probably wouldn't have had one otherwise.

This year I am a little more anxious than usual to get decorations and all things Christmas going.  I think it's because I couldn't last year. 

We took the kids out of school a bit early on Monday (which they were ecstatic about) to go searching for the perfect tree.  I love living out where we do, because there is a tree farm at almost every corner. This year we tried a new place just about 3 miles down the road from us.  There we met a lovely lady named Sharon and we took ourselves through her picturesque property complete with a log house and a little bridge over a small creek.  Once you start to look at all the trees they tend to start looking very similar.

Savannah spotted this one.  We looked at several others just to be sure and then came back to it.

My little lovies!!!

Everyone insisted on helping carry this beauty to the car.  I love when they want to be so helpful! 

Sharon (the lady in the back) also makes pretty incredible live wreaths.  I saw a gigantic one and asked how much.  Only 30 bucks!  I snatched it up.  So, if you drive by my house, look at the front porch where it is hanging!  I love it! 

Our FHE activity was, of course, decorating this Fraser tree.  We usually go with a Douglas fir, but this turned out perfect for us.  I think Sharon will have some returning customers next year!!