The aftermath

Who knew one little grape vine could produce so many grapes? Not me, that's for sure. Prior to this summer my grape knowledge was some-what limited. I knew they grew on vines. I certainly didn't sign on for grapes. When we realized that the vine on our fence was a concord grape vine I thought "Oh fun, we'll have a few fresh grapes to eat."
Fast forward to harvest time, and we spend 2 days picking grapes off that one little vine and end up with 6 huge paper bags full of grapes.
It took me 4 days to work through them all but I finally wrapped it up last night.14 pints of juice, 14 various sized jars of grape jelly.

Do you want to know something interesting about grapes? They stain.
Which is pretty frustrating if you have 50 year old white countertops.

Although as I was scrubbing my countertops one more time with bleach I couldn't help but think of how many other women throughout the history of my little house have done that same thing. Picked the grapes from that same vine, which is as old as the house, 64 years, and worked their way through them. Then cleaned up the aftermath and spent weeks hoping the purple would eventually come out. At that moment, wearing my favorite vintage inspired apron, dancing around my kitchen to the musical stylings of The Streets my nose burning with the smell of bleach, I was overcome with such joy. I love my life. This, right here, right now is all I have ever wanted. To be a mom and a wife. To have a house and a family to take care of. I am so blessed. It's rare to get exactly what you want out of life and I got that very thing and more.

Now onto the white grape vine.......