Very quiet cider pressing this year in Methow. Leah and clan could not come, nor any of the kids, so it was just us. Which meant that the usual non-participants -- Jann and Diane and Rick -- had to step up to the plate. Which they did, willingly.
B and I spent some time on the rental, putting up storm windows and working on the sprinkler system. And we went hiking on the hill to check out the vertical section of our property. Steep hike and lovely views. B disturbed a ground hornet's nest, however, so we had to make some of our descent much faster than we would have liked.
Lovely batch of zinnias still blooming on the ranch, so I had fun getting various photos.
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| Jann and valley neighbor Ray Campbell |
This year we had fresh apples to take to PDX, not storage apples. The Zahns had a bunch of hail-damage fruit, which they graciously allowed us to pick. We picked two full bins of honeycrisp and Goldens, along with a bunch of pears.
Lovely weather for the Portland pressing again and a good turnout. Several neighbors and co-workers of Leslie, along with many Portland friends. Everyone took home plenty of cider and once again our neighbor Jenny went knocking on doors to give some away. B made apple/pear butter and fruit leather while I made more dried fruit snacks. Yum! We were also apple to use B's "fire pit" wash tub for the first time and it worked great. He's happy.
