Last Friday we had a major project day! Mom, Victoria, and Susanna worked on some of our fall sewing, Amanda and Titus tackled our ever-growing pile in the magazine basket, Jessi, Lauren, Bethany, Hannah, and I processed 5 1/2 bushels of apples, and Herman bounced between us and some jobs outside Dad had given him to do. God’s blessing on it all was evident… we had the best time of laughter, fun, and incredible production!
Then…
Well, before I tell you what it is, let me say that we have a steadily growing tradition in our house.
It is a ton of fun.
We all really like it.
It might sound a little unusual…
Here goes: After we make applesauce, we sleep outside! Normally it is on the front porch, in freezing — or below — weather (I’m not kidding!), but we did our applesauce early so our sleep outside was delightfully cool, not frigid. 
After a day in the steamy kitchen working with hot apples in boiling water over blue-hot flame… I think you get the picture. We all feel ever-so-slightly warm!!!! So, a night in the wonderful fall outdoors is just perfect to cool us down and, of course, make great memories! This year, though, instead of using the front porch, we tried out our 12-man tent that we’ve had for three years and never used. What a blast!
So, the moral of the story is this:
Enjoy the projects you do together! Make them fun and memorable!
Laugh over little mistakes and bumps in the production – – everything will be fine.
Keep a positive outlook even when you’re tired. Help each other finish strong!
And… after you make applesauce, sleep outside!
Oh fun!!! Family traditions are such a blast :-). I remember you telling us this story the other day, when we were visiting on our way home from GA. The fellowship we enjoyed with you all made a very special ending to our mother/daughter trip! 🙂
You GOTTA be kidding! Sleep outside? Why, that’s what we did last week! It’s not a tradition for us – yet – but we thought it would be cool – literally – in keeping with the Feast of Tabernacles in Israel’s calendar to sleep outside in remembrance of the journey out of Egypt. Isn’t it wonderful that the feast occurs at harvest time and God actually commands a camping trip at the peak of fall color to celebrate getting your applesauce done? By the way, check out Zechariah 14:16-17 – kind of interesting.
Amazing! Everything looks delicious. Titus looks well-fed. You all look beautifully happy. You all look like you are growing up! The camping looks, well… like I might need to sleep in a parka for my poor tropical bones if I had joined you. :p
Miss ya’ll.
Guess this tradition might make me want to get the apple sauce done earlier rather than later.
Beautiful work All!! I am so proud of you! Our new Sarah canned both apple butter and pear butter last week!! They were both sooo delicious!! I’ll bet your applesauce is too!