| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Aug 21 2020 : 4:37:09 PM
Hey Farmgirls~ Today is August 21st and I wanted to remind everyone that come September 1, we still start celebrating our 6th Annual Farmgirl Apple Festival!! For those of you who are new here to our Chatroom community, we started this tradition in 2014 to kick off and celebrate Fall. Newcomers will be also interested in our Mascot 100 year old Apple tree that still produces fruit on MaryJanes Farm.
I will be sponsoring an Apple Swap so please sigh up if you are interested.
I will also be sponsoring an Apple Giveaway so please sign up if you are interested.
Don't forget, we have an Apple Badge that you can work on this next month as well. It includes lots of fun activities to get you learning and enjoying this beloved and favorite fruit.
Every year, we have been sharing information about, varieties of apples from our various regions of the US and Canada. We also share yummy recipes, tidbits and photos of our apple trees and families. The fun part of learning more about apples is that you learn more about our American history. Apples that could be eaten, cooked and preserved came from Europe by early settlers and and fur traders. The original apples here in America were an astringent crab apple that even the Indians could not find useful!!
The real origin of apples comes from the Tian Shan mountains of Kazakhstan in the temperate western foothills. The Silk Road that went from Rome to Xi'an in China , was the route traveled for trading purposes to acquire things like spices. Apples were discovered by both the horses and the traders making the journey and were brought back to Rome where they became very popular. The Romans then spread them to Europe where they flourished as well.
Apples don't really grow well from seeds. To create trees of eatible apples, they must be grafted. In the early 1700s, the American colonists learned this skill and began to establish nurseries of grafted trees. The Apple Revolution began and soon people were all planting apple trees on their farms as a basic food source to make cider and fruit that could be eaten, cooked, preserved and stored for long winter months.
Thomas Jefferson planted large groves of apple trees at Monticello and concentrated on both eating and cider making varieties. The Newtown Pippin was one of the most popular variety from his orchards.
The legendary Johnny Appleseed, was really a man by the name of John Chapman who was an itinerant minister. He preached to small crowds as well as set up seedling nurseries throughout the Ohio Valley and the Midwest from the 1790s-1830s. Apples were a way of life!!
There is so much more about apples so please share here what you know and have experienced.
One more important note: Sunday September 27th will be our traditional Apple Pie Sunday Celebration!! Mark your calendars and think about what sort of apple pie recipe you would like to make this year. Be sure to share with us your ideas of tried and true apple pie favoites!
I look forward to enjoying hearing about your stories, recipes, and experiences with apples. If you grow them, please let us know what varieties you have. If you just love to eat apples and cook with them, let us know about your favorites.
Welcome everyone and I hope you will join us during the next month and share your thoughts, ideas, and stories. Don't forget the Apple Badge is an easy way to learn more about one of America's favorite fruit.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dreamer42 |
Posted - Sep 10 2020 : 3:15:05 PM
Oh, Hannah - pretty cool! Love things like that!! Happy you got a little road trip in!! Looked like a gorgeous day!!
Dreamer42
Farmgirl Sister #7038 |
| suny58 |
Posted - Sep 09 2020 : 06:53:29 AM
Now THAT is super cool Hannah! I wish our state had interest in apples but it's rare to find anything here related except peanuts and cotton!
Seeing the pictures is so cool!! Thank you for sharing! I just took a virtual trip! :)
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Sep 09 2020 : 05:36:48 AM
Hannah, that is interesting and cool!!! These photos are awesome and thank- you for sharing you trip details! I would love to see this myself. Do you remember the Disney Johnny Appleseed story>. Google it and watch it. I grew up with that story and was interested to learn that there really was a man who did spread apples out to the Ohio Valley.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Sep 07 2020 : 10:04:15 PM
Oh, Hannah - that's incredible! How cool that you were able to go there! Thank you SO much for sharing the pics! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| GinnyBelle |
Posted - Sep 07 2020 : 6:03:50 PM
Apple Festival 2020 has prompted me to make the drive across the state to visit Johnny Appleseed's grave over the weekend. Here are some pictures to share the experience.
Farmgirl #6994
Sunshine Mixed With A Little Hurricane |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Sep 02 2020 : 06:05:58 AM
I love all of these wonderful apple stories! This is the really neat thing about this fruit. Apples have been part of the American life experience since the English and French arrived here to the this continent.
For those who might have missed this tread, September’s arrival yesterday has put our Apple Festival in Full gear. Did you all see our online Sisterhood magazine released yesterday? It is packed full of all things apple and you won’t want o miss a page!! Be sure you check out an Apple Giveaway opportunity that I just posted yesterday. You will find it in the Over the fence category. Everyone is welcome to toss their name in the Apple bucket to win.
I look forward to more sharing from everyone to help make this year’s Apple Festival the best ever!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| GailMN |
Posted - Aug 30 2020 : 08:27:40 AM
Oh Winnie - I so agree. I had to take down an apple tree this Spring. We planted the tree when my son, now 48, was 9. Dad and son dug and dug to make the hole wide and deep enough. The tree was cared for and the roots and tree grew strong and tall. We were blessed with an abundance of apples, year after year. We shared with neighbors, new friends and family. Always having more than we needed. I cried when we took that tree down, it was attached to so many memories. The Dad, my husband is no longer with us, but I treasure the memories made, that I am able to smile and shed some tears in the remembering. I do have a remaining tree, it is full of apples and soon I will be enjoying the bounty that tree is supplying.
Farmgirl Sister #506
Aim high; shoot for the moon and if you miss it, grab a star. |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Aug 30 2020 : 05:35:55 AM
Grace, the one cool thing about the history of Apples is that there are thousands of little local trees that might have been more common 100 years ago. But have now become just remnants of past times. Most of the time a local Extension Office can provide you with more information about these local varieties that the rest of us have never heard of or will ever see in the market. IT is a terrible shame that the people who purchased your home mowed down your fruit trees!!! I have heard some people same they think fruit trees are a nuisance because they drop all this fruit in the yard and make a mess. Why don’t they eat the fruit and share it with their friends and neighbors?? Seems so weird to me!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 29 2020 : 10:59:12 PM
Ooooh, Connie! I LOVE that chart! Thank you! (Cortlands are my favorite!!!) Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| katmom |
Posted - Aug 26 2020 : 11:30:26 PM
I use to have an Apple Tree back in SO. Cal, called Dwarf tree called a "Beverly Hills".. it was a tart crisp apple, perfect for baking.
I have never seen them anywhere except in Ventura County.. Has anyone else heard of them?
I found out from my old neighbor that 2 years after we sold and moved from our house in Moorpark,, the new owners, tore out the Avocado, lemon, apple, peach and fig trees and planted roses in their place . I was heart broken. I nurtured those trees for 8 years...
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| katmom |
Posted - Aug 26 2020 : 11:22:41 PM
Nini, I had a moment to myself and was able to read the article about the Oldest Apple Tree over in Vancouver.. Thank you for sharing it with us.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Aug 26 2020 : 12:46:35 PM
Connie, that is an awesome graphic. It’s really nice to see them in an order like that. My favorite is ambrosia and gala, while I won’t even eat a Granny Smith. Way to tart for me. Now I know why lol. It’s clear at the other end!
Krista |
| Killarney |
Posted - Aug 25 2020 : 09:15:55 AM
Yay for apples! |
| Killarney |
Posted - Aug 25 2020 : 09:14:55 AM
Y.jpg?v 98739296) ay! For Apple Festival 2020! I have Several new recipes to try as nd Farmgirl apple art to decorate with!
Connie#3392 |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Aug 25 2020 : 08:26:10 AM
Nini,
What beautiful memories! Thank you so much for sharing them with us dear sister.
I always enjoy going to Ohio to see my daughter in October. We hit the apple orchard there with her little ones.
There is just something about getting those apples fresh out of the orchard!
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured." 
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 25 2020 : 07:41:14 AM
Oh, Winnie... I just read yesterday that the oldest known apple tree in the United States has expired! You can read about it and its fascinating story here:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/22/us/old-apple-tree-vancouver-washington-dead-scn-trnd/index.html
I actually cried a little!
I think Im going to celebrate its life and ALL apple trees today by making a big ol' pie! How blessed we are to have so many orchards and apple trees, and so many wonderful varieties to choose from, and so many options as to how to prepare them!
My favorite thing to do in the fall when we were kids was to visit our favorite apple orchard: The Big Apple in Wrentham, MA. My Mom and Grandma would pile us kids in the car after Sunday dinner, while Daddy and Grandpa took their post-meal football game naps in the easy chairs. We would be giddy with anticipation as we made the big trip out to the country to grab our "free sample" apple from the big barrel welcoming us at the barn door. Who would find the biggest one? I can still see and smell the homemade donuts being made behind the glass...oh SO good! Mom and Grandma would load up our little arms with bags of wonderful apples to carry to the registers. And much to my mother's chagrin, Grandma would always buy us each a big ol' red candied apple to savor (and wear) on the way home. How Mom's back seat survived three kids and that sticky red mess, I will never know! Lol. Ooh my, though, the memories!
Many times we kids would also make that trip with our grandparents on any given afternoon after school throughout the fall. Grandma would quickly disappear deep into the apple bags, busily be picking out the perfect Granny Smiths for her pies. Meanwhile, Grandpa's eyes would be twinkling as he pulled out his little green rubber coin purse from his pocket and carefully counted out just enough change to buy us each a delicious cup of fresh apple cider. Mmm-M!
In later years, after Grandpa had long given up his keys, my husband and I would pick them up on a Sunday and take my gradparents to our beloved favorite fall haunt - The Big Apple. Grandma and Grandpa would interlock arms, Grandma leaning heavily on her shaleileigh, as they slowly hobbled their way through the lumpy grass parking area, down the long wooded dirt path, past the sleek white fence protecting the orchard, and up to the gathering barn door. My hubby would glance at me sideways, roll his eyes and giggle because knew what he was in for the minute Grandma started promising him a nice big warm pie later that evening: he was the designated apple carrier; and boy would we load his arms down with apple goodness! Grandpa's dimming eyes would STILL twinkle when he caught glimpse of the cider machines, and he would always give my hubby a knowing glance and chuckle as he passed him a cup. We all knew Grandma meant business, and it was only a blink of an eye before she disappeared into the buzzing apple-hungry crowd. My hubby and I STILL giggle about those trips to The Big Apple with them. SUCH fond memories.
I was blessed to be able to take our son there a few years back before he graduated high school. I had all these romantic visions of making new Big Apple memories with him. He enjoyed the free apple and the fresh cider and warm donuts well enough; but he didnt grow up with that same experience, and probably didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I did. His romantic visions were decidedly more focused on the cute little farmgirl clerks in their aprons, to be honest. Lol. But MY heart? It was full. My Grandma and Grandpa were there with me in spirit. I could feel their loving presence as I tipped a cup of cider to their memory. And suddenly in my heart, I was a little girl again. Surely my Mom was off buying apples and my siblings were darting somewhere between the tiered apple displays. And surely Grandpa and Charlie were off in some corner sipping cider and laughing over Grandpa's relief of finally having passed the torch of carrying all those apples and goodies back to the car. Hmph. Brings warm tears of love to my eyes. My heart was home there in that sweet little apple and cider and donut and preserve and pickle-filled little barn. The circle was complete now that my son was there savoring apples with me... And I could've just stayed there forever.
It hasn't changed too too much since I was a kid, but if you'd like to virtually check out the place, you can check it out here:
https://www.thebigapplefarm.com/
And especially here:
https://www.thebigapplefarm.com/around-the-farm-2/
So, Winnie, my dear sister, and ALL of our dear apple-lovin' farmgirl sisters, we are definitely romantic apple season adoring kindred spirits. Thank you SO SO much for this wonderful celebration, Winnie... and to all of you for joining me on this walk down apple memory lane. Even if the oldest trees die, their seeds that remain will always live on...and their lifeblood, if you will, will continue to flow through our hearts for generations to come!
God, thank you for apple season and all the loved ones we get to share it with - especially our farmgirl sisters!
Now let's bring on apple season!
Hugs and love -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Aug 24 2020 : 8:05:27 PM
I love this time of year and the fun apple festival! Thanks Winnie for hosting it again!
Krista |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Aug 24 2020 : 6:47:38 PM
Please sign me up
~ Shannon, Sister # 5349
Farmgirl of the Month - January 2016
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| GinnyBelle |
Posted - Aug 24 2020 : 1:58:52 PM
I am so excited to hear about this apple festival! I love apples so much and I'll take any excuse to eat lots of them! Lol! I am actually only about a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive across the state from Fort Wayne where Johnny Chapman is buried. I've not been, but I believe they have a park dedicated to him there, where he is also buried.
Farmgirl #6994
Sunshine Mixed With A Little Hurricane |
| HealingTouch |
Posted - Aug 23 2020 : 07:15:11 AM
Sign me up please. My kitchen is full of apples all year! Old metal Apple Canisters filled with tea! LoL!
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Darlene
Sister 1922
October 2016 Farmgirl of the month
John 11: 35 Jesus wept.
When Satan's knocking at your door, just say "Jesus will you get that for me?"
When it gets to hard to stand, Kneel!
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| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Aug 23 2020 : 06:35:25 AM
Winnie,
You sure keep busy! love reading what you are up to. Happy Apple season. Hard to turn down a good apple.
Nancy Jo |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Aug 23 2020 : 05:34:01 AM
Dianna, I am the one who created the apple badge when we first started this celebration at MJF. I love hearing about other Farmgirls who are fascinated by apples and work on the badge as well. This year, I am going to try and finish the expert level of the badge with a small pandemic style celebration with a few friends we get together with on outside porches on occasion so we all can be safe and still chat and enjoy a change in the routine.
Grace, I would love to be able to press my own apple cider. Fresh cider always tastes so delicious and great both cold or hot.
Denise, I love knowing that someone else loves apples all year long as part of their everyday decor!! I think because I love red color, apples are the best way to make that a part of my decor. My hall bathroom is full of apple decor as well. Then there is the outside porch and my little sewing nook, and my LogCabin....................... LOL!!!!!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Aug 23 2020 : 04:57:53 AM
Winnie,
I have my Apple decor out all year too. Mostly kitchen and dining room. Looking through my recipes to find what I will make to celebrate Apple month.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| suny58 |
Posted - Aug 22 2020 : 6:11:09 PM
I am going to EARN my first badge with the Apple Badge!! Working on it NOW!! Thank you Winnie for so much inspiration!!
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| katmom |
Posted - Aug 22 2020 : 4:03:54 PM
Yesterday I was watching a show on the BBC channel.. they talked about the different types of apples in England,, and they made fresh apple cider,, Oh it looked soooo yummy!.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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