I took benefit of a kind of lovely late fall days to go to the apple orchard. The drive was lovely. So many bushes had colourful leaves. After I arrived, the women who have been working acknowledged me. They informed me they learn my column. We talked about my visits. Within the years since I found Whittier Farm, I’ve returned typically.
My first go to got here after we have been visiting a buddy of my husband. Really, the person was a buddy of my father-in-law. They labored collectively at one of many furnishings factories in Jamestown.
Throughout our go to they recommended we go to the orchard. After all, I purchased some apples. Often, after I go to the orchard, I buy no less than one bushel of apples. They’re lots cheaper on the orchard than they’re within the retailer.
The farm has expanded the way it operates. They now have a big cider press station in addition to a facility that may be rented in the course of the winter, spring, and summer time months for weddings and household gatherings. All the things seems lovely.
One yr earlier than I married, Dick and I hosted a hay trip. My brother-in-law drove the tractor across the farm. Previous to the hay trip we gathered all the apples from the bushes round our farms that have been on the bottom and made our personal cider. The cousins have been there to assist so it was enjoyable. We ended up with loads of cider.
I made a centerpiece in a tractor and wagon that Dick had. It appeared actual cute. I collected some fairly wild flowers. I can not bear in mind what we needed to eat, however we had cider. It was a wonderful night time for a hayride.
Quick ahead a couple of years. Now I used to be married and had kids of my very own.
Throughout these years we picked Spy apples up at my sister-in-law’s farm. I particularly preferred these as a result of they saved nicely. They have been good for applesauce to can and for pies. I had a pie filling recipe that I canned as nicely.
For a few years as soon as I moved to the farm, we used our personal apples. We had a tree that was grafted and two sorts of apples grew on it. One of many varieties was brown by nature. They have been known as Russets. My son particularly preferred these. The children used to tease him when he took them in his lunch saying he had rotten apples. They weren’t rotten, they have been simply brown.
The opposite apple on that very same tree have been known as Kings. They have been tart, however they have been yellow inside. They saved fairly nicely. They developed brown spots in them that didn’t damage them one bit. They nonetheless cooked up as they need to.
After the farms have been cut up up, I as soon as once more purchased apples. By then the grandchildren have been round. All of them cherished contemporary apples and took them of their lunches. My favourite apple is the Cortland. They’re so white and crisp. They’re fairly tart however soften once they age. I purchased one bushel of the Cortland selection this yr. Again within the day I got here house with a number of bushels of apples in order that I might share.
Mulled cider is sweet. You simply simmer it together with some spices. I additionally use cider in breads, truffles, and donuts.
One other place that I received apples from was the Olson orchard in Akeley. I paid Shirley for them then made preparations after I wished to choose them up. I often put apart two or three bushels of apples. She had an important place to retailer them.
If all of that is making you hungry for apples, come to the Akeley Christian Fellowship Church for the Harvest Dinner. There will probably be some apple pies and a few pumpkin pies. There will even be turkey, scalloped potatoes, inexperienced beans, and salad. The dinner is being held on the former Akeley United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 28. It’s a drive-thru dinner. Simply pull in along with your automobile and we’ll convey out your dinners. The worth is by donation. It begins at 4:00 p.m. and continues till 6:30 p.m. or till bought out. The proceeds will probably be used for mission work.
Ann R. Swanson writes from Russell. Contact at [email protected].
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