Cider!!!!

I think I have redeemed myself from the 'worst girlfriend ever' category.

Basically, I forgot Chad's birthday. Not really forgot, I guess, but I couldn't find a good present. He wanted an ipod dock, but his family got him that, and he wanted a watch, but it seemed so impersonal (or engagement-y, you pick) so I stewed and stewed. All weekend, he's been saying things like 'it doesn't have to be a monetary thing. You can give me a good dinner, a fun experience...'. But me, I don't feel right if he doesn't walk away with SOMETHING - a picture, a slice of pie. And so, I decided to make apple cider, one of his all-time favorite beverages.

Only, you have to ferment cider for three days. So, what's a girl to do? Basically, I made spiced, hot apple juice. I took six apples (they were all that was in the fridge) peeled, cored and diced them, then blended them 2 by 2 until they were the cosistancy of applesauce. Then, I took an old, super-clean T shirt and laid it over the mouth of a bowl. I poured most of the mixture in, then gathered up the shirt and twisted it, so that all the apple goo was in a little ball. I squeezed and squeezed, and the juice came out all the tiny little holes in the shirt.

This went on for the majority of the cider-making experience. By the time I got all the juice out, my arms were aching, and I had a very awkward, flavorless apple paste in my T shirt. I rolled that into a ball and threw it outside, for some poor hungry creature to eat. Then, I took all this juice, dumped it into a pot, spiced it with cinnamon , cloves and a little bit of lemon zest, and let it boil. (Oh, and I threw the T shirt out, in case you were wondering.)

After an hour and a half of work, I'm left with 2 1/2 cups of cider...which I put into a water bottle, and into the fridge. There was a tiny bit left over, and it is phenomenal. I really, really hope he likes it, because I am SO proud of myself - this stuff is amazing. My plan is to give him this bottle as a sample, and promise more when I have a bit of time, and an extra gallon jug. Or, maybe I can show him how to make it tommorrow.

Either way, I'm super-happy.....<3