Eldalondë By Alan Lee

Apple Butter Recipe

Apple season is coming into full swing where I’m at so we bought a peck and we’re spending the morning making apple butter, which is magical in its own way if you’ve never had it. Just wanted to share the recipe here. 

Apple Butter:

Yields 3 pints

Ingredients:

4 lbs – 16 medium apples (tart)

4 cups sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. clove

Directions:

1.    Peel and slice apples.

2.    Cook apples in 2 cups water – until able to mash with potato masher.

3.    Add spices. Cook slowly till pools on spoon – (doesn’t slide off) will be thick –

*If canning to store – process 10 minutes in water bath. Bring water to boil – make sure water covers jars. Wash jars in scalding hot water. Leave jars in hot water until ready to use. Heat lids in pot of water – do not boil. Put apple butter in jars – wipe top of jar mouth – put lid on just until tight. Water bath.

*If not canning, just reduce ingredients and store in fridge.

Winter in the shire

When I was 14, I heard my dad talking to one of his friends. My dad’s friend was expecting their first child and found out it was going to be a boy. They wanted a girl. My dad told his friend that he and my mom wanted 2 kids, a girl and a boy. Their first child was a boy, my older brother. My dad said, looking back, he was so happy they had a boy first.

When I was born, he said they really wanted a daughter. So they decided to have a third child.

I learned at that point, I was never wanted.

There is no question that my sister is my dad’s favorite. Then my brother. Then me.

There is no question that my brother is my mom’s favorite. My sister is a close second. Most the time, I don’t even think she likes me.

Life has taught me that I am just a disposable cup.

Like this cup, I don’t have any value, once someone is done with what they want from me, I get discarded. When people are done with my friendship, or tired of my affection, or don’t need my help anymore, I get left behind. I am sometimes left on the table, or forgotten, or tossed in the trash. But all too often, I end up crushed along the side the road.

My hair for a wedding yesterday 😊🌿🍃🌾🌸