Monday Musings // Apple Butter!

This week has been both busy and enjoyable as we soaked up our final days of summer break. My sister, Marah, and I jogged every other morning, Connor (aka Big Bro) and I lugged out our bikes and went cycling together on a near-daily basis, and there was lots of writing, listening to music, new books, and baby cuddles. :D Here're a few of the highs from the past seven days . . . 

~I received the sweetest email from a friend telling me her tweenaged sister was blessed by my book. <3
~Ellen's Musings reached 62 followers! *confetti*
~I enjoyed a voice chat with an online friend for the very first time ever. 

~Sandrina and I had over an hour's Skype call on Saturday, which was AWESOME.
~an amazing young lady posted a review for The Whispers God Gives on her blog.
~there was a moment of laughing until my jaw hurt. (thanks, Mom :D)
~I added a few new songs to my Amazon music playlists. :)

~signing books + addressing envelopes.

~on the way back from a drive-through coffee shop with Mom and two of my little sisters, rain began to fall in buckets. We pulled up in the driveway, Mom messaged Dad, and he came out with an umbrella to escort each of us, one at a time, to the safety of the garage. xD
~we bought bunches of peaches, apples, pears, and tomatoes, and made a pot of rich, frothy apple butter.

I didn't get as many pictures this week, but I figured I'd go ahead and share the ones I did take. =)

Getting ready to peel all these apples. 🍎🍎🍎 Ruby found the crinkly plastic bags to be*extremely* entertaining. xD

Sadie enjoyed a handful of assorted glazed and chocolate munchkins en route from Dunkin' Donuts. (notice the bulge in her cheeks.) :D

THIS CUTIE. *heart eyes*

Soooooo, what have you all been up to? Do you like homemade apple butter? Let's talk in the comments below! <3

Blessings,

Ellen S.