Our first spring we planned and planted a small orchard.
We've lost track of just how many bushels of apples we've given to friends and family since August. We've frozen them and made apple sauce, eaten them out of hand and on Friday we joined with our neighbors to make some cider.
Improvising, we used an old corn grinder from Richard's barn, and a grape press that we borrowed from the county extension office. At the end of the morning we had collected 4 gallons of juice. The prettiest, loveliest tasting nectar you can imagine. Combining all the varieties created an exquisite flavor.
Next year we've promised ourselves to invest in a real apple press and make lots more cider together, though we'll all fondly recall our primitive but successful beginnings.
We have neighbors down the road who host a cider pressing party and a potluck. They share their outdoor wood fired pizza oven with all of us. It is such fun. The multi variety blend is indeed fabulous! So nice to think of us enjoying the same autumn fun, even though we are miles and miles apart. xo
ReplyDeleteKaren, knowing such simple pleasures are shared across the land gives me hope. Hope in the best of human nature. Hope in our future.
ReplyDeleteI remember when you planted the orchard! How wonderful to be reaping so much fruit from your new trees. I can imagine just how good the cider tasted. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, just trying a different way to leave a comment. Testing, testing! lol
ReplyDeleteAha! I did this through Firefox! Success! Love this post, especially the rainbow photo! xo
ReplyDeleteWahoo! Happy to see you here again, Judy. Yes, we've come a ways since 2010. Feels like yesterday, sometimes. Still so many things on my to do list, but I'm trying to learn patience as I get ready to slide into my next decade. Thanks for being so persistent, my friend.
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