Apple Butter 2010

The Tenney family got together in Webster Springs, WV this past weekend to make this year's kettle of apple butter. It was a COLD morning (the first heavy frost we have had this fall) but that didn't stop the cooks as they all headed outside to light the fire and get the party started.

I think this is the first year that I have not participated at all with the apple butter. I was sick, folks. I think I was awake a total of 7.5 hours yesterday. So it's probably better that I wasn't involved. But as you can see below, Patrick took over camera duties and did a very good job recording this year's fun.

In the beginning....there were lots of tubs of homemade applesauce!



Patrick and Clarence worked hard to get the applesauce into the kettle. Just look at that concentration!

Once it was all in, the stirring began. Everyone took a turn (again, I was the only Tenney not to handle the stirring thingy....not sure what it is technically called, but to me it looks like a weird looking fork). The girls were super excited to help out once again. They sure didn't let a 40 degree morning put a damper on their parade! They played outside a good bit of the morning. Below are the Blounts getting involved with the stirring...

Julia Aleese

Amy and Chris

and Kole Alexander, who at almost 11 months is probably the youngest Tenney to ever stir the pot!

Then it was Morgan's turn to help out...

...helping Nannie

...and Daddy!

And of course the Tenney patriarch, Ralph, had his turns too.


I am not exactly sure what Lola was warning us about here, but it probably had something to do with tasting the apple butter before it was done.

And after about 4.5 hours of cooking, it was done! Here are the kids diving in to get a taste of the still warm, fresh apple butter.

YUM!

The end result? 91 pints of apple butter canned, 4 very sticky kids, and a family happy to be once again enjoying time around the apple butter kettle.

And for the record, I am feeling MUCH better today, thank you for asking. :)

A Quick Recap

I know it's been nearly a month since I last updated. During that time I have had an employee go out on maternity leave, leaving me as the only qualified person to see ALL of her clients for the next three months, I have had to prepare for a national conference presentation for next week, I have interviewed people to fill another vacancy, all while trying to keep up with my four jobs at the CED, and still be a decent wife and mother to my family. I am absolutely swamped at work. I feel like I cannot keep my head above water. Oh, and yesterday I had to see a client at an alpaca farm. Yeah, in central WV, who knew?

Needless to say, I am completely tapped out. Spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. This time of year is the WORST for my fibromyalgia, as I cannot tolerate the dampness, swings in weather temperature, and general change to colder weather. By the time I get home in the evenings I am exhausted and in a lot of pain. And the things I want to get done, like update this blog, fall completely by the wayside as I try desperately to keep my household running and give the last of my energy to Morgan.

I am not trying to throw a pity party here, just keeping it real. I have started back on a regular exercise routine to hopefully help me lose weight and have better mental health. Exercise is also the best thing to help my fibro. This weekend we are heading to Webster Springs for the annual making of apple butter. I am looking forward to relaxing a bit. Sunday I am off to Washington DC for the week and my presentation. Then a couple quick weekends before an entire week of relaxation over Thanksgiving. I cannot believe next Monday is November 1st. My goodness, where has the year gone?

I have been keeping Morgan's website updated, so head over there for some VERY cute pictures of her and what she's been up to lately. And until next time, bear with me as I try to get back on track before the busy holiday season. Stay tuned for apple butter pictures!

Diva? Princess?

Apparently so!

Visiting the Tarheel State

Over the weekend, the Tenneys took a long weekend and traveled south to Charlotte, NC to visit my dear friend, Melanie and her husband Patrick. A visit with them has been LONG overdue, and in July they added a third member to their family.

This is Ethan. He was born on July 26th. Melanie is Morgan's Godmother, which makes Ethan her God-brother. Melanie and Patrick waited for a long time to have Ethan, and he is such a joy to be around! He's a good baby. He cries very little, is not sensitive to noise (thankfully since Morgan was running around like a crazy woman all weekend), and is such a cuddlebug!

I think Patrick and I were fighting each other to hold him! :) I kept hoping that Patrick would suddenly want another baby in OUR house if he held Ethan a lot, so I let him do so! HAHA. Ethan is a smiley baby, and just so pleasant.

Morgan was good with him. She generally didn't notice that he was around, except when Melanie would have to feed him. She noticed that Melanie was gone, but didn't ever ask where Ethan went! Morgan was such a little mother to Ethan's stuffed elephant. When Melanie would feed Ethan, Morgan would take the elephant into our room, shut the door, and give him a bottle! She also would put the elephant down for naps. It was adorable.

We're not sure if Ethan and Patrick will love each other when Ethan gets older, seeing as how he's a Panthers fan and we are diehard Steelers fans, but at least we can show Ethan that at one time they both enjoyed each other :)

As for me, well there is no doubt that I instantly fell in love with this little guy. I love that he's a snuggle, cuddle bug. I love that he smiles a lot. And above all, I love that God answered their prayers for a child, and that he is perfect.

Morgan did indulge the adults for a moment and consented to hold Ethan. She was so sweet with him. She did a great job and finished the photo shoot with a kiss for Ethan!

It was hard to leave Monday morning. We miss the Strains so very much during the year. It has been far too long since we last got together. Now, with the kids, we will work very hard to get them together more often. We are already looking forward to our pit stop at their house in December on our way to Florida!