I have no idea why I needed that title. Probably because it makes me giggle. Probably because I have junior high humor.
(Stay with me until the end--when I give you a YUMMY recipe for chunky applesauce!)
Remember that I told you we went on a little family vacation last week? Oh, I know you couldn't possibly have forgotten my thrilling Pioneer Power post. Well, for a couple of days during our South Dakota vacation, we drove over to Minnesota to see our aunts and uncle. (No, no, no--2 separate families, thank you.)
We always love visiting Bob and Ginger's beautiful Minnesotan farm! We especially love visiting in the fall--when it's time to PICK APPLES! They have Haroldson and Sweet Sixteen apple trees.
I'm sorry, but isn't she just a cutie pie? Sara Beth took her apple picking duties very seriously.
We had the best time picking apples--the whole family together! You can see Grandma and Grandpa here, as well as Ginger's legs. Oh, and Lady the wonder dog. She helped pick...or fetch is probably a better word. You can tell she is just waiting...for someone to toss an apple for her to chase and catch.
Oh, those high apples didn't get away from us--Bob pulled the tractor up, and put Dave and Ginger in the bucket to reach them! Too bad Bob didn't mess with Dave and Ginger more...and put the bucket ALL the way UP. (At least I don't think this is all the way up on a tractor bucket...I'm such a clueless city slicker.)
Here's Lady the wonder dog! She's such a sweetie. I tossed quite a few apples for her to chase. You can tell she's looking at me thinking, "Uh, put down the camera and toss some more apples."
These girl sure love their Aunt Ginger. There's Uncle Bob on the tractor! Everybody say HI, BOB! Note the 4 full buckets of apples. Can't you just picture all the homemade applesauce and apple pies those babies are going to make?
Riding back to the house...in style. I mean, why walk when you can ride in a snazzy golf cart?
Everybody knows that after you pick...you have to peel and slice. And, like the little one there...you have to EAT.
Here's Becca learning to use the apple peeler. We had 3 slicers going to take care of all those apples. I'm very sad I didn't get a picture of Aunt Jean. She was a part of all the family fun!
Shoo we! All that picking and peeling and slicing made us tired... What a wonderful day it was.
Oh, but before I turn out the lights...let me give you a wonderful way to eat apples this fall. Have you ever MADE your own applesauce? I gotta tell you--homemade (WARM) applesauce kicks the tail of store-bought applesauce. Plus, it's simple--and your house will smell AMAZING while the apples are cooking on the stove. One day, I cooked some applesauce just to SMELL it. I sure did.
Ginger sent me this recipe, and it looks amazing. I've never made applesauce with brown sugar--but I sure am going to try!
Chunky applesauce
8 cups chopped peeled tart apples-- ( I did not chop- used half slices from the peeler)
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
In a dutch oven, combine apples, brown sugar and cinnamon
Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes or until apples are tender - stirring occasionally.
Remove from the heat- stir in the vanilla
Mash apples slightly if desired.
Serve warm or cold..
(like on ice cream???!!!)
I love it warm--
(Thanks, Ginger!)
Okay, and one more thing before I go...I hope to post my NEW recipe for apple pie next week!!! Oh, y'all, I have been on a lifelong quest for the perfect apple pie. I grew up eating the hands-down BEST apple pie in the whole world--baked by Miss Alene. Sadly, I never got to ask Miss Alene about her recipe before she died, so I've been trying different recipes, trying to replicate it.
I tried a new recipe on Monday, and it is as close as I've ever gotten to a Miss Alene pie. I want to make it one more time to make sure...but y'all--this pie crust and pie is TO. DIE. FOR. So, be watching for that recipe. In the meantime, you might as well head to the store and buy some lard. Yep, I said lard.
Are there any recipes from your childhood you've been trying to replicate?
