2009
2009- A trip to the Orchard is always fun–and we always seem to have more apples than we know what to do with! This year it was a little cold, so we started off our trip with some hot chocolate and caramel apples. The kids got to play in the corn, and had a great time! We went to a chemistry show where Alexis got to be the, “lovely assistant,” we pretended to be the 3 little pigs, we jumped on a huge air pillow, we slid down a very long slide–and we picked LOTS OF APPLES!
Thankfully. with the help from my PC peeler/corer– we were able to quickly start making yummy apple treats. Kyle joined in the fun, and made a caramel apple crisp– while the kids helped me peel and chop apples for Apple Butter and Applesauce.
The Apple Butter, was a crock-pot version recipe, that I adapted. I loved the day-long simmering method–because it was easy, and it made the house smell amazing. The applesauce we made was a pot on the stove, version–but also turned out yummy.
2011-
We did the same things at the orchard, making those traditions really stick- I like being able to see traditions started in our little family. This year, Jaxen slid down the slide all by himself, which he wouldn’t even do last year. He was also tall enough to jump on the big jumping pillow without any hesitation from seeing all the ‘big kids’ As we watched him this year, I flashed back to him, 2 year old, barely able to stand up with all the other kids jumping–and me going out to hold his little hands to jump with him. Neither of the kids needed me this year.
With the years, my kids have gotten bigger and more independent and the little orchard has gotten bigger and a little more commercial 🙁 A front porch with rocking chairs, has been replaced with glass sliding doors, and checkout lanes. All of these changes, make me a little sad, and make me long for the ‘good ol’ days,’ which was coincidentally just 2 years ago. It seems when you have children, an eternity of changes is held in just a year- that seems to last a minute.
Here are the kids this year:


This year I followed the same recipe for the Apple Butter–which is best served warm– :
(this year, like the years before- I had some good help! They’re never too young to help in the kitchen!)
- 5 1/2 pounds apples – peeled, cored and finely chopped ( I used my apple peeler/corer and vidalia chopper)
- 1 cups sugar
- 2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- dash or two of salt
Applesauce:
I peeled, cored and chopped several apples and put them in a pot. (approx 3 lbs) I covered them just enough with water, and turned on the heat. I let them simmer until apples were tender– about 15-20 minutes. Squirt about 1 Tb of lemon juice on top, add a little sugar, depending on how sweet you like it– and then blend in a blender til desired consistency. I only added 1/4 cup of sugar, but some people would prefer to add much more. Chill.
I served this for dinner with my Truffle Pot Roast and the kids just gobbled it up– adding just a little cinnamon to the tops of their servings.
Here is the Post Roast Recipe from 2009
Beef Roast
Traditions are the best !!!! Every year, as my children grew, there was anticipation and excitement for doing the things they had done the year before. And boy, have they REALLY stuck to traditions. Of my 5 children, one is married, and she is doing the same things with her little family and her 3yr old baby son. Every Christmas Eve, one of them (my children) will put milk and cookies for Santa on our table, to keep the tradition going. On Christmas Day, they wake up to open the presents that are under the tree, and to see the milk and cookies are gone !!! awww Holidays are a lot of work and stress, but oh how I love them, and how fun they are !!!
Martha Caballero
Martha we have the same tradition!! I started it with my 3 little ones and its so exciting to see their reaction to Santa having drank the milk and always leaving one cookie half eaten! There is something so comforting in these traditions. Whether it’s a very symbolic one or just a fun silly tradition it really brings everyone together and makes us thankful for all our blessings! Enjoy the fall 🙂
Mmmm…apple butter
We just did our annual trip to the apple orchard with the kids. I think I will start making some apple butter this year. The girls will love it.
We go apple picking with our three girls every year. My oldest is 19 now and she is the one who loves the family traditions the most. It is a wonderful family day and we get great scrapbooking pics too. 🙂 I love comparing the pictures from over the years.
Thank you for the recipes…they sound DELICIOUS and are making my mouth WATER!!!
Thanks for sharing. My family will be making our annual trip to the pumpkin patch next weekend. I love making these kinda of trips tradition. As you all do, we have a great time and make memories to last a lifetime.
Great traditions, love to keep them going, create new ones, and pass them on. I am also new to blogging and you always inspire me.
Thanks!
Sarah….you are making me super hungry…. i just gotta try these recipes….
Thanks for sharing your recipes and traditions – made me reminisce about the “good ol’ days” when my kids were little!