Making a Cider Press and Grinder

I have a very good crop of apples this year and they are not to buggy because I have been spraying. Now I have to put them to good use so I am building a "Whiz bang Cider Press". I sent for the plans and then started on the press and a grinder to prepare the apples for pressing. The grinder is made from a garbage disposal that I got online. All Stainless parts. I removed the motor and hooked up a better motor that will not overheat and is strong enough to handle the job. This is where I got the plans... http://www.whizbangcider.com/

This is as far as I have gotten with the press. I am looking for more material to make the pressing discs(5). The pressing is done with a car jack in case you are wondering.

The plans call for Stainless steel bands but I am using HDPE that I cut from around a blue barrel that I had. This is food grade and very tuff stuff. All stainless screws of course.

This is the finished Grinder! The disposal is a Kenmore . The original motor shroud and stator windings were removed and a 1/2 hp motor adapted to fit. The original even though a 3/4 hp would overheat because it is not rated for constant duty. No vents. Lots of heat.

Getting some work done.

I have been busy. I fixed my small trailer finally . I re-painted it and put on some new plywood sides. The best part was that I had all of the bolts and hardware that I had gotten from the auction at a fraction of the price.
I covered up the tomatoes to keep them warm at night.

This hoop system is working great so far. This fall I intend to

plant some cold weather plants and see if I can get a late crop.
I rebuilt my troy bilt tiller. It was tore down completely,every part removed from the gearbox. I replaced two gears,all of the seals and bearings. Then got new tines. Runs like a new machine now.
Waiting for the first tomatoe

Little Feet

Sometimes you can tell how much fun you are having just by looking at

your feet. Here are some good examples.

These show how happy Grandpa is to have his

granddaughter over.

These toes are a princesses prize .
Looking at these feet makes grandma and grandpa smile.

Just remember how long it's been since you had to

get on your tip-toes to brush your teeth.

Garden update raised beds

The raised beds are doing great so far...the tomatoes seem to really benefit from this type of space even though I put way too many in too small of a space. I have a good variety and they are growing faster than the ones in the main garden. Maybe it is the fresh dirt. I will need to stake them soon. Thinking of using the hoops to help. I need to study the layout. As you can see the garden needs weeding. My tiller is down for repairs ...when it gets up and going I will clean things up a little.
Strong growth in the raised beds. Nice thick stems. I lay down newspaper then cover that with a thick layer of wheat straw to hold in the moisture and help hold down the weeks. Works very well.

We had three Zucchini so far and more coming fast. The summer squash are producing too.

The pears seem to be doing well this year. Hoping for some size.
Our biggest matters. Called Big Early. I got one plant from my brother-in-law Jerome just to have some early tomatoes.

Our trip North to Harbor Springs

We had a week or so at my friend's cottage on lake Michigan last week and it was great!

Matt and Shell were along which made it that much better. We walked,we talked,we

fished, built a fire on the beach one night. These are a select few of the 200 photos

that I took. It is tempting to upload more but I resisted. The week went too quick as

always. No rain and mild temps. Gin and I even went to Legs Inn for lunch one day.

Matt caught all of the bass. You would think that on my birthday (Wenesday) that I

should be blessed with at least one. ( Click on the photos to enlarge)
The steps to the cottage.
Just before they went out on the little boat.
Gin took this shot from up on the deck. One of the best of

the trip! The camera has a great telephoto...this is a long way

down the hill. By the way the lake was calm most of the trip. The bost is like a tupperware container without the lid.
Our fire on the beach one night. We roasted marshmellows.

My favorite spot.
The girls did a lot of this.
Part of the steps down to the beach below the cottage.

The next door neighbors have a tram down to the lake. Cool

This sums up our fishing. Matt catching all of the fish. This is on Crooked lake.

Deer fawn

Today we had a visitor in our garden.  It looked like it was searching for it's mother.  It keep bawling and looking all over.  I had just enough time to get the camera before it ran off to the back of our property.  Neat experience .  

For the Birds

Last May we spend a couple of days with some friends in the western part of the U.P. in Michigan. They had some bird feeders hung near their kitchen window and had an amazing variety of bird coming right up to the windows to feed. We loved it so much that we have tried to create the same effect at our house and have had some pretty good luck. We don't have as wide a variety but are doing great . The hummingbirds come right to the window and the finches are fun to watch. This year we also have the pine siskin's coming.

Anyway I have some fun trying to photograph them. Here are some of the photos.

This one has some spider web on it's beak. I read that they line their nest with it .



This is one of the clearest shots that I took. He held still longer than the others.




My fav pictuce of the finches . The record is 14 at once.

Anyway I have some fun trying to photograph them. Here are some of the photos.

The last is some video of them feeding. Notice the hummer's tongue going as it feeds.
I have to add this one of Macy trying to shred some cheese for her spaghetti,that she loves so well. I have to wonder how it will be when Matt and Shell have their baby. Another bright spot in our lives.

Check out the tongue action.

Click on some of these photos to see them full screen because a few are good shots. The last time I tried birds shots was with my sister Sue's camera. That was what got me interested in getting a good digital camera.

Raised beds

This week I'm gardening.  I got the raised beds going and am planting tomatoes and peppers in them to see how it goes.  Time will be the teacher here as to what to grow in them.  I'm a little late for this year because the ground has been so wet.  I planted some Red Currants and Gooseberries in a raised bed along the fence in a spot that stays wet longer,that will put it to some good use.

   Macy helped me plant.....she dug some holes,took a ride in the wagon and sang me some songs.  We had to put up the tent so she could "camp".  

After all of this work we had to rest under the maple tree.  But first she played with a toad in the garden.  I just wish that her mother was here to play with it too!

Then Ginny and her painted some clay pots.  Macy really gets into this and does quite well.  She say's that she is an artist.  I tend to believe her.

Resting under the tree.

End of the day.