Fruit Rollups

I didn't take a single picture. I'm sorry. Even Seth asked if I was documenting it. I guess I expected this recipe to fail. Most would call these "fruit leathers", and that title brings to mind a semi sweet "snack" that a weird pine cone eater family would eat. I didn't really think we'd like them. So I didn't take pictures. It was just my whim of the day. I had 3 lbs of frozen strawberries and an entire day at home, so I made them. What resulted was a new addiction. For all 5 of us. These were better than good. Tremendous. And guilt free. Planning my 1/2 acre strawberry patch in the very back of our property so I can make these every week. :)

You will need:

3 lbs fresh or frozen berries.
2 T lemon juice
1/2 C honey
1 C applesauce

Dump the lemon juice and the berries in a pot over medium heat. Cook, while stirring, until the fruit is completely soft. Pass the fruit through a food mill or sieve to remove skins (if doing blueberries) and/or seeds (for strawberries).  I didn't do this part because quite frankly I didn't want to have to wash my sieve. Lazy bones. So we spent 2 days picking strawberry seeds out of our teeth. :)

Add the honey and applesauce and stir thoroughly.

Line baking sheets or large pans with parchment paper and pour the puree onto them. The thinner your layer is the quicker it will dehydrate. Mine were a little thinner than a store-bought fruit rollup.

Set your oven at its lowest possible temperature (165 is ideal) for 12 - 20 hours or until dry (but somewhat sticky to the touch).

Take out of the oven, cut into strips, roll them up, and snack away! :)

This recipe came from Alana Chernila's book "The Homemade Pantry".


The next time I do it I'll make a double batch. We went through them too quickly and I would've loved to have some to store. Also, I would leave my oven door open the entire time. The recipe doesn't call for it, but you need somewhere for the moisture to escape while they are drying in the heat. I kept my door closed for about 10 hours and they weren't any drier than when I first put them in there. Mr. Wonderful suggested opening the door and they were done within 2 hours :)

They were OHHHHHHH so good. Very sweet and sticky and not at all pine cone eater-ish. :)

On my 29th...

I thought it would be fun to list 29 quirky facts about myself. So here goes....

1. I am extremely self conscious and am scared to death of growing older.

2. I like watching my husband work a chainsaw.

3. I absolutely love homeschooling.

4. I prefer my own coffee over Starbucks.

5. I have a serious crush on our woodstove.

6. When I was little my toes were so crooked the doctor suggested breaking them so they could grow straight. Thankfully my mother let them alone and they straightened out on their own.

7. I wanted to be the woman who birthed her babies at home in the tub.

8. I am a physical touch person. I hate giving it, but love receiving it. I ask for a foot rub every night.

9. I met my very closest friends through my husband.

10. In 6 1/2 years of parenthood, we've only spent 1 night away from the kids.

11. I want to be a farmer when I grow up. :)

12. I dream of moving back to Potter County and living off the land.

13. I struggle with anxiety.

14. I'm thankful for a husband who puts up with a wife who wakes up in the middle of the night scared to death and shaking like a leaf for no apparent reason.

15. I'm addicted to sugar.

16. I love confrontation. Let's sit face to face, scream and cry, and get everything out in the open.

17. I don't feel comfortable around people when I know there's an entire barrel of unresolved issues standing between us.

18. I trust God with eternity, but struggle trusting Him with my kids.

19. I hate politics.

20. My husband and I have no secrets. Seriously.

21. My ideal Christmas wish list consists of a tub of coconut oil, picnic table, 6 chickens, 3 goats, and 2 pigs :)

22. I have a strong desire for more children.

23. I love my sister for driving 35 minutes on my birthday just to give me a hug and a Mountain Dew, even though she's coming back tonight for my party :)

24. I was served breakfast in bed with a gift every single morning of every single birthday growing up.

25. This morning I was up at 5:45am, started 3 loaves of bread, and read a farm book. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

26. I wish I weighed 115 lbs. I wish my hair was down to my waist. I wish I could give up dairy and sugar so my skin would be pretty. I wish I had a "Big Berkey" water filtration system. I wish I had antique braided rugs and a never ending supply of hand-spun yarn.

27. I love my house. I love my yard. I love all these trees. I love these old hardwood floors. I love my laundry line. I love my raised beds. I love the color of my eyes. I love my ankles. I love my natural hair color. I love each of my kids. I love that my family is close.

28. I would love a navy blue '89 Volvo 740.

29. I love that my husband knows me better than anyone in the whole world, and still chooses to stick around. I love that he wants to live off the grid. I love that he wants me home. I love that he chops wood and hunts and wrestles with the kids and makes a mean pot of rice. I love that we fight like cats and dogs. I love that we make fun of ourselves. I love that he won't let me move our bedroom furniture around at midnight. I love how he drives. I love being his wife. :)

Happy birthday to me! :)