Ode to Grandma Bean

My mother-in-law is an amazing woman.

She arrived 5 days after Daniel’s birth to find her little granddaughters sick and quarantined, her daughter-in-law recovering from delivery, and 120 pounds of apples that needed to be processed.

She rolled up her sleeves and helped us can 3 dozen quarts of skins-on applesauce and a half dozen pints of apple butter (a healthy, easy version I came up with… post coming). She showered my daughters with love and special surprises brought from Utah. She was so helpful I actually felt up to a trip to the zoo and a trip to Hocking Hills to hike and see the beautiful fall colors.

The Zoo:



Hocking Hills:


(poor photo quality) proof that I was there as well, toting 10 day old Daniel around in a bjorn. A sweet Mennonite woman with a toddler stopped me to ask how old Daniel was and then seemed at a loss for words at my response. She finally exclaimed, “Oh my! I hope you feel wonderful!”

Truthfully, I did. I enjoyed the hikes breathing in the damp smell of fall in the hills. We picnicked for lunch and made s’mores after the sun set.

1 comment

  1. N Bean

    Anne – What a beautiful post. Thank you so very much! You made me cry “happy” tears! I was so glad to be able to come back and share a week with all of you! I love you all!

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