Drink up thy Zider

Zomeret Zider makin' 'as come t' Valencia...
(Or, Somerset Cider making has come to Valencia)

For Thanksgiving we have been challenged to produce our own cider. Hard cider, as you Americans call it. Just plain old cider in England, especially in the South West, and we all know that the world's best cider comes from my home county of Somerset. We even sing songs about the stuff (watch the good old Wurzels in action).

After a bit of research on the internet we found out how to make the golden nectar. One problem... Somerset cider apples are hard to come by in Southern California.

Now! we could have bought a gallon of raw apple juice from a shop and simply added yeast to ferment  it into cider, but the challenge was to start from apples. We could have juiced the apples, but Lisa and the girls insisted on having me build an apple press. So on Thursday night, armed with a few 2x4's, some bolts and a Home Depot bucket, Cora, Violet and I constructed our very own press, with a car jack to apply the force to squeeze out the juice.

On Friday we bought 20 lbs of Braeburn apples (recommended in a book my boss lent me at work) to produce our gallon of juice.

Saturday was cider-making day. The girls peeled off the apple stickers and washed each one. I then cored and cut them into chunks. Lisa and Cora then blended them in a food processor to make pulp.
It was now time to test out the homemade, patent-pending, Howard Press-o-matic.

We put all the pulp in a cheese cloth sack, placed the sack in the press bucket, on top of which went the pressing head - some blocks of wood. Sat on top of this teetering pile was a two-ton car jack.
Cora pumped the jack a few times to apply a down force; then, hey-presto, juice poured out of the holes around the bottom of the bucket, ran into the tray and flowed into the stock pot underneath. After a while we managed to squeeze out one and a quarter gallons of juice from the 20 lbs of apples.

Later that night Lisa and I pasteurized the juice by heating it to 160 degrees, and then poured it in the jugs ready for the fermentation process to begin. After it cooled off, we added a crushed camden tablet to kill off all the wild yeast. This then had to sit for 48 hours before we could add the yeast.

Tonight we did just that. The cider is now in the fermentation process.

If this were a Master Card commercial:
4 2x4's, 1 bucket, 1 tea tray, a handful of bolts and a car jack- $40
20 lbs of Apples that "might" work to make cider- $17
2 jugs of really crap wine, just so we could use the jugs- $15
Brewing supplies and yeast- $25

Having fun making a gallon of cider that you can buy at any Somerset farm shop for $20. Priceless!

Remember! This November, vote Team Howard.
Team Howard is endorsed by The Wurzels.

Cora Loves Soccer

 Here's Cora and some of her Kidz Love Soccer teammates with Coach Carlos, who has become a friend of ours over the past two years. We are so happy to have found this quality program, with coaches who love the game and love the children, too.

 Cora and Lucas have had fun playing together this session, which ended this morning. After a week or two off, Cora will take part in another session, which will focus on matches more than training.

 Look at Cora's stance! 

This morning, the coaches began teaching the kids more about formation and position. It was great to then see them playing in a game that looked more organized than what Stace calls "banana football," with players running around in a bunch.

 Stace is very encouraging to Cora from the sidelines, and loves teaching Cora the basics. He's impressed with Cora's natural form, balance and technique. At this point, he can see Cora playing in the back, because she likes to defend and tackle.

Thanks to Grandpa for taking these great action shots!

Trunk or Treat, Pioneer Club style

We're midway through our Halloween festivities, with Pioneer Club's annual Trunk-or-Treat taking place Wednesday night. I helped at the craft table this year while Stace handled getting the girls costumed up before they joined me and lots of their favorite friends.

Colleen and Rigo once again decorated their cool old truck. 

 For a look at Trunk or Treat the last three years, click here and here and here.

 Cora and Violet were happy to see their good friends Alexyss and Marley while they visited the cars collecting candy.

 Then, Stace the non-dog-lover ended up with two doggies in his arms! And one of them starred in his own long-running TV cartoon!

 Cora with Johnny and Ave after they took part in the cake walk - you can see Cora's winnings in her hand.
Next up for my Ariel and doggy - Violet's Halloween party at Miss Diane's class Thursday, our own church's big Halloween fun festival Saturday night, and Cora's Halloween costume parade and party at school next Wednesday. Oh, and lest we forget, trick-or-treating on Halloween evening. Geesh!

Weekend Update

We've had a nice week - Lombardi Ranch with Violet, walking with Genia after taking the kindergartners in, and visiting with my friend Jaimie. I'm feeling a lot better from that bad upper respiratory infection, and this week a CT scan showed the infection is about gone and that I'm also dealing with allergies.

I feel like I'm so, so far behind on blogging. It's harder to find time to do so, with Cora in school and all of us going to bed earlier so we can get up and out on time. But I have a few minutes now, so here's a look at our weekend.

 Cora's school held its annual Fall Festival on Friday afternoon, and I helped in her class's booth. Here, Cora (in her Ariel dress) takes her turn tossing the bean bag toward the hole.

 Then, she was happy to show off her newly developed skills on the monkey bars. This was the first time Stace and I had seen her swinging her way across the entire length - another milestone!

P.S. Bonus point to anyone who can spot me in the photo! (Oops, amateur's error.)

On Friday night, I went with my dad to see a play in Burbank at the Falcon Theater. My sister is understudying one of the three roles, and since she is in the cast, she could put aside tickets for friends/family. We enjoyed the show, and we're all so proud of Melanie.

On Saturday, Cora had a great day: soccer in the morning and dancing and singing in the afternoon. The Hart High School Show Choir held a "kids clinic" fundraiser, where we paid for them to teach Cora and dozens of others a dance routine.

 Cora loved it! Her age group performed "Hard Knock Life" from Annie. Cora's in the front role on  the floor, right side.

 Cora's friend Ella also took part, along with Ave (on the right side, behind Cora) and Ryan, who is a new friend in her kindergarten class. Here, Cora is scrubbing the floor.

Here's Ryan, Ave and Cora after a successful show. Maybe we can figure out getting Cora into some dance classes, at some point.













On Sunday, after church and talking to our family in England, we had some friends over for dinner.

We had a great day with the Phelans back in July, and were finally able to return the favor and have them at our house for the afternoon. Here, Brooke and Cora are making doll clothes from tissue and tape.

Violet isn't sure what she's doing, but by golly she has scissors and she's going to sit with the big girls. Don't you try to stop her!

We all had a great evening of conversation and laughter. Sadly for us, these friends are soon to be moving to Camarillo. We'll certainly stay in touch and look forward to visiting them in their new home.

Lombardi with Friends

Violet and I went to Lombardi Ranch with our Mom2Mom friends on Tuesday. We had a great turnout - this photo is missing a few latecomers - and a good time was had by all, despite un-autumn-like heat. 

 It was one of our first big "fun" events without Cora, so that was a little sad for me! We'll head back as a family she can get her pumpkin-fill, too. 

Still, Violet had a lot of fun with her friend Liana, so I don't think she minded not having
Cora with us. Here, they're waiting for our first event of the day, the train ride.

The train takes you through sunflowers studded with scarecrows. Violet was happily sitting next to Liana and Abigail, until she saw some scarecrows that scared her. I'll take the snuggles anytime.

Then it was time to pick out our little pumpkin. Last year, I cooked these small ones (that's really what they're for) and I still have some bags of the puree in the freezer... perfect for when I crave my favorite pumpkin baked goods.

Then it was on to the petting zoo - our group field trip tickets included the pumpkin, train and animals. Violet thought the bunny was adorable.

She and Liana both loved petting the baby goats too.

Weekend trip north

Our friends Christy and Mitch moved to the San Jose when our oldests were babies, but we've stayed friends. They've invited us up to visit lots of times, and with Cora having Friday off from school, I thought it would be a good weekend to head up. 

It was a girly road trip, because Stace is basically out of vacation days. Here, we stop along our 330-mile trip in Kettleman City's In-n-Out for dinner. The girls did just fine in the car, both of them napping for about an hour and a half. The tough (boring) part was once it got dark and the look-out-the-window car games ended.

Cora, William and JP had lots of fun picking oranges from the back yard for fresh juice. This was on Friday, when I woke up after a bad night of not feeling well. Thankfully Christy took care of my girls, in addition to her four boys, and let me sleep in.

We're still not sure what's wrong with me, as I haven't been completely well since the third week of August. I will have a CT scan of my head this week to try to better understand what's going on.

 Here is Christy and Mitch's newest boy, Timothy. He's going on 6 months and is adorable.

Even Cora agreed, and enjoyed holding him, talking to him and playing with him. Violet also was sweet with the baby.

Christy and Mitch are amazing parents, and it's a joy to be with their family. They have an easier time with four children than  many parents do with one or two little ones. They have high expectations, and the boys rise to meet them - they're polite, respectful, responsible, and kind.

On Saturday, I awoke feeling much better, thank the Lord! We all went to William and JP's soccer game, which was coached by Mitch.

The girls participated a bit in the pre-game practice.

 Christy grew up playing soccer, and she recently joined a women's team. She joined us after her own match.













After the games, we went out to lunch at
Black Bear Diner, a cute country-style restaurant with lots of bear decor.

Violet declared she was scared of the bears and needed to stay on my lap in the lobby while we waited.

Because I felt sick on Friday, Stace and my parents were concerned that I might not be up for the five-hour drive home on Sunday.

He flew up Sunday morning, so he got to see our friends' home before we started south.

It was great to see Stace, and I only wish that weeks ago, we had thought about buying him a ticket to fly up Saturday morning. The flights are short, and cheap, when bought in advance. The day before? Not so cheap. Oh well...

We stopped at a place called Casa de Fruta on our way home, which is a giant fruit stand/restaurant/children's play area/winery room/etc. Here,
Stace is helping the girls pan for gold. 

The rest of our drive home was uneventful, with the girls both taking long naps. We were home by about 7. Thanks, Christy and Mitch, for your warm hospitality! Until next time!

New Library

 Friday morning after taking the children to school, Jill, Genia and I took our little ones to a new coffee shop in Newhall.

We all enjoyed our scones and coffees at the Poached Pair, and then walked over to the new library.

What an impressive building! I loved the poster-sized photographs of local history.

We didn't make it upstairs to check out the adult section of the library, instead staying in the children's area downstairs.

 Marley and Violet had fun sharing the computer. Love this photo of them!

 Then I thought that I should get a photo with the actual books in the background. Snapped this one, and then the batteries died!

Here's a sweet moment from this morning, on our walk back from taking the kids to school.

Owen and Violet are more like siblings than Cora and Violet! They love each other, love playing together, and love arguing and fighting too.

California Adventure

This week we made our first trip to California Adventure since the summer opening of Cars Land. 

The new area was as cool as we had heard, and you really feel as though you're walking through Radiator Springs. We missed getting a "fast pass" for the main ride, Radiator Springs Racers, but Stace and I managed to ride it in the evening after a 30-minute wait. Such fun!

I'm holding a "Best Wife" trophy in the store where Stace bought a "Cars" flat cap - he'd been looking for a proper hat for a while.

Then it was on to the Little Mermaid ride, which the girls enjoyed, though Violet was a little nervous about the darkness. No photos were good enough to publish, but here is happy Violet and big sister after Daddy bought Violet a Flounder plush toy.

Cora especially enjoyed the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail - here, she's learning to master the rock-climbing wall. She also played on the zip line and bouncy bridges, and collected all the stamps she needed to complete her "Wilderness Explorer Badge" (from the movie Up).

Here, Russell (from Up) and Cora hunt for a bird character as the children get their badges in the badge ceremony.

Then we headed into A Bugs Land, where we rode a few rides before dividing up. Stace, Cora and I went into the Bug's Life show, mainly to cool down. It was nearly 100 degrees, and poor Stace was really feeling the heat. The air-conditioned show was the perfect way to cool off, while my parents took Violet into another inside, air-conditioned attraction. Then, we three headed off to ride the Grizzly River Run rapids, where getting soaked further cooled us off.

We met back up with Violet and Grandma and Grandpa, and Cora went to the candy shop to spend some of her spending money. She chose caramel corn, and was very proud to pay for it herself.

At this point, Violet was well passed naptime, but I forgot her pacifier in the car. I told her that as she gets bigger, she won't use a night-night anymore - that Cora doesn't use a night-night, and we don't use night-nights. "Violet uses a night-night," she replied. She never did drop off during the day, though Flounder got use as a pillow.

This is after a quick dinner, while my mom, Cora and I went on the jellyfish up-and-down ride.

At that point, we split up again, my dad taking Violet onto the carousel, Stace and I going for the Cars ride, and Mom and Cora doing a few other rides.

We all had a fantastic day, and thanks to my parents for giving Stace the ticket for his birthday. I'm glad we were able to go together and enjoy ourselves.

The only downside of our day was the fact that in the tired haze of getting packed back into the car after our very long day, I left the diaper bag in the parking lot. No one turned it in, so we've lost our little camera, my driver's license, some makeup, medicine and snacks (including the rest of Cora's popcorn). Thankfully we didn't have any money in the bag, and the big camera and video camera were in a different bag. I only wish I'd checked my normal wallet (which I'd left in the car) before canceling my debit card, which I thought I'd taken along with my license. I canceled it, and then found it safe and sound a few days later.