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This really only belongs on my crafty blog but since Diane and I both created a quilt for the contest I thought I’d share it with you all o...
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The 2018 apple season started out with not the best weather – it rained and rained and rained some more. One afternoon on a whim, my mother...
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Our vertical planters all started with this one wall. Jared made it using half logs. Once I looked at it – I realized the same goal could...
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I know that I’ve already sauced and analyzed many of these varieties the first year I did it but I seemed to have lost my notes on them! Oh...
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The Crimson Crisp is another new variety in our shop this year. It seems to me that the majority of the people that sample them end up buyi...
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Next up to talk about it the Fireside. Now, the Fireside’s are big apples and are a bit more tricky to get through my peeler, corer, slicer...
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Apples...what else?
Karma made it back to Virginia safely and actually a little ahead of time. We were all sad to see her go, but glad that she was able to visit for a bit. My girls loved playing with Ka-ma and I know Frank and Diane were thrilled to see her.
We're still keeping busy with apples. Frank headed to the auction today and I went to the Deforest farmer's market. I am a bit disappointed to report that the turnout to the market has been decreasing steadily as we get later in the season. I hope you all decide to show up next week, at 5:00 for Diane's cider demonstration. It should be a fun, interesting time. With this cold weather arriving don't forget how wonderful a mug of hot cider is or how tasty a warm apple crisp can be.
You may get to see my girls at the store. My siter's daughter is currently having her first baby (Congrats Nicole!) and I'm still trying to figure a few things out. My mom will be here later in the day and my friend, Julie, from Creek Bed Farm http://www.creekbedfarm.com/ agreed to watch the girls for a few hours until my mom got here. I think the girls will be with us for the first tour of the day though, so if you stop by you may get lucky and get to meet/see them.
Alright. Sorry this is a boring post...I'm tired. Hope to see you at the store!
We're still keeping busy with apples. Frank headed to the auction today and I went to the Deforest farmer's market. I am a bit disappointed to report that the turnout to the market has been decreasing steadily as we get later in the season. I hope you all decide to show up next week, at 5:00 for Diane's cider demonstration. It should be a fun, interesting time. With this cold weather arriving don't forget how wonderful a mug of hot cider is or how tasty a warm apple crisp can be.
You may get to see my girls at the store. My siter's daughter is currently having her first baby (Congrats Nicole!) and I'm still trying to figure a few things out. My mom will be here later in the day and my friend, Julie, from Creek Bed Farm http://www.creekbedfarm.com/ agreed to watch the girls for a few hours until my mom got here. I think the girls will be with us for the first tour of the day though, so if you stop by you may get lucky and get to meet/see them.
Alright. Sorry this is a boring post...I'm tired. Hope to see you at the store!
Labels:
Capri,
Cedi,
Cider,
Creek Bed Farm,
DeForest Farmer's Market,
Karma,
produce auction
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Sunday, September 28, 2008
Raspberries, Apples and Karma
Late Thursday night, my sister-in-law, Karma, flew into Milwaukee from Virginia. She rented a car and headed over to our house, arriving around 10. We had previously decided she would spend the night here and surprise her parents in the morning...they had no idea that she had planned to spend the weekend. Months ago she had called me and asked me which weekend was the busiest that she would be able to help with. I told her the last weekend in September...which is proving to be true again next year. She decided to take a trip and watch the girls for me during this weekend. Now, I LOVE all the sitters that I have watching the girls during apple season but it is really nice to just have one for them. Yesterday, Karma just came to our house to play with the girls...that was the first time they spent the whole day at home in a very long time.
Anyway, back to the surprise. Friday morning we all got up. Jared went over first to help with sorting. Then the girls and I headed over. I went into the sorting room and told them the girls wanted to say 'hi' to grandma and grandpa before they went to the sitters (they like to fairly often). Of course, they come rushing out...can't ignore the grandchildren. About a minute later a car pulled in (Karma) and I was like, "Man, we already have a customer." Diane glanced at the vehicle, then looked back at Cedi. Then she looks again and yells, "Frank, get over here!" They were both incredibly surprised and ecstatic. Karma coming home was just what everyone needed to get through this busy time.
I do have to note that I am TERRIBLE with secrets and I managed to keep this one for months! Very proud of myself.
Make sure to stop out at the orchard soon! We have LOTS and LOTS of apple varieties out. The raspberries are delicious and the pick your own pumpkin patch is ready to go! See you soon!
Anyway, back to the surprise. Friday morning we all got up. Jared went over first to help with sorting. Then the girls and I headed over. I went into the sorting room and told them the girls wanted to say 'hi' to grandma and grandpa before they went to the sitters (they like to fairly often). Of course, they come rushing out...can't ignore the grandchildren. About a minute later a car pulled in (Karma) and I was like, "Man, we already have a customer." Diane glanced at the vehicle, then looked back at Cedi. Then she looks again and yells, "Frank, get over here!" They were both incredibly surprised and ecstatic. Karma coming home was just what everyone needed to get through this busy time.
I do have to note that I am TERRIBLE with secrets and I managed to keep this one for months! Very proud of myself.
Make sure to stop out at the orchard soon! We have LOTS and LOTS of apple varieties out. The raspberries are delicious and the pick your own pumpkin patch is ready to go! See you soon!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Pick Your Own Pumpkins!
Yes! We are opening up our patch for pick your own pumpkins starting today/this weekend! My inlaws planted a beautiful patch! It's in a new location this year so be sure to stop in the store to ask how to find it. There's a bit of walking involved so if you planned to get a lot of pumpkin try to bring a wagon or carrying device. We have a few wagons, but if things get busy they will be limited!
Also, the raspberries are still going strong. We had multiple people over yesterday to pick and they were having a wonderful time! We had a lady come in that never picked raspberries before, was a little hesitant to even try, but when she came in with her brimming full quart of raspberries had a huge smile on her face.
See you at the orchard soon!
Also, the raspberries are still going strong. We had multiple people over yesterday to pick and they were having a wonderful time! We had a lady come in that never picked raspberries before, was a little hesitant to even try, but when she came in with her brimming full quart of raspberries had a huge smile on her face.
See you at the orchard soon!
Snow Sweet!...or empire?
Yesterday morning I drove our van over to the orchard. My husband and Cedi had picked a few bushels of apples the previous night and I had them in the back. He had told me that there was one bushel of snow sweets in the back. Now, keep in mind, this is only the second year that we have ever had the snow sweet trees produce any apples. So, three of the bushels 'looked' like Fireside, two cortlands, and the other ?...we assumed snow sweet (remember we've been busy and sleep doesn't come frequently in long stretches...).
Once the group of the day was over, Diane, figured she'd get the 'snow sweets' on the shelves. She sorted them and weighed them into 3lb bags (we're only going to have one bushel of snow sweet apples this year). We started to get more people in the afternoon so I started sampling them. One lady had already tried two apples and didn't have room for a third...so I tried it for her...wow, was it TART! Why would they call that a snow sweet? I sampled to others and I think one person bought a bag after trying a sample of the 'snow sweet'.
Here's where things get interesting. Frank and Jared got back from there second round of picking and the fireside are sitting in there designated pile to be sorted (they do this for me...I'm the one that usually gets the apples confused!) He looks at the bushel on the top and says, "These are not Fireside." After a few taste tests and confusion...we agree. I go in the store, take a closer look at our "snow sweet" samples and ask my husband if there had a been a bushel of empires in the van this morning. The answer, "Yes." Mystery solved.
So, after all of that, we (Diane) accidently sorted a bushel of empires, thinking they were snow sweets and put them on the shelves. Once we realized this we took them off, sorted the correct bushel and quickly fixed our problem. Now, I'm pretty sure that I only sold bags to people that had previously sampled the apples...but if you happened to get a bag of 'snow sweets' that look suspiciously like an empire, (deep dark red, with red stems) please let us know.
Once we figured out our problem we had to have a good laugh about it. Good thing Frank noticed that the 'fireside' looked a little off!
Once the group of the day was over, Diane, figured she'd get the 'snow sweets' on the shelves. She sorted them and weighed them into 3lb bags (we're only going to have one bushel of snow sweet apples this year). We started to get more people in the afternoon so I started sampling them. One lady had already tried two apples and didn't have room for a third...so I tried it for her...wow, was it TART! Why would they call that a snow sweet? I sampled to others and I think one person bought a bag after trying a sample of the 'snow sweet'.
Here's where things get interesting. Frank and Jared got back from there second round of picking and the fireside are sitting in there designated pile to be sorted (they do this for me...I'm the one that usually gets the apples confused!) He looks at the bushel on the top and says, "These are not Fireside." After a few taste tests and confusion...we agree. I go in the store, take a closer look at our "snow sweet" samples and ask my husband if there had a been a bushel of empires in the van this morning. The answer, "Yes." Mystery solved.
So, after all of that, we (Diane) accidently sorted a bushel of empires, thinking they were snow sweets and put them on the shelves. Once we realized this we took them off, sorted the correct bushel and quickly fixed our problem. Now, I'm pretty sure that I only sold bags to people that had previously sampled the apples...but if you happened to get a bag of 'snow sweets' that look suspiciously like an empire, (deep dark red, with red stems) please let us know.
Once we figured out our problem we had to have a good laugh about it. Good thing Frank noticed that the 'fireside' looked a little off!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Groups, Groups, and More Groups!
We are officially in the midst of our group weeks! Diane gave THREE tours yesterday! We've had wonderful kids and have been enjoying ourselves. Today we have one at 9:00 and tomorrow we have a BIG one at 9:00...so big, I have to give the orchard tour...hopefully my allergies hold off and I don't walk the kids through the little picker things. As usual, I would say the favorite part of the tour for the kids are visiting with our animals...not the orchard tour or the cider making (although they are enjoyable as well). Group leaders seem to have been happy about how the tours go as well.
If you are reading this and want to know more about our tours feel free to give us a call. We are no longer scheduling any more for this season, but contact us next year at the end of August/beginning of September to schedule your school/group. (We typically schedule the last two weeks of September...maybe into October...we need to still have apples on our trees so time is a little limited...)
If you are reading this and want to know more about our tours feel free to give us a call. We are no longer scheduling any more for this season, but contact us next year at the end of August/beginning of September to schedule your school/group. (We typically schedule the last two weeks of September...maybe into October...we need to still have apples on our trees so time is a little limited...)
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Raspberries Galore!
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The people have spoken: the raspberry picking has been AMAZING and FUN! We should have some raspberries for pick-your-own until the first frost. (this is our first year for this...we're learning as we go :) ) Word is that there are TONS on the bushes. I hope you stop by soon to try it out for yourselves!
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Cider Demo At DeForest Farmer's Market
I've been passing out pamphlets for the past week abou this cider demo we're doing at the DeForest Farmer's Market on October 7th that says to refer to the blog for more info and I have yet to put anything on here about it! So, here it goes:
What: Cider Making Demonstration (Ever wonder how we make our amazing apple cider...here's your chance to find out!)
When: October 7th
What time: 5:00 pm
Where: On DeForest Street, in front of the library, in the farmer's market
By Who: Diane
With What: the wood press the Lapacek's have used to make cider up until Jared bought the Hazard Orchard in 2002
Please email me or post a question on this blog if there is any information I'm forgetting to add or you're curious about!
What: Cider Making Demonstration (Ever wonder how we make our amazing apple cider...here's your chance to find out!)
When: October 7th
What time: 5:00 pm
Where: On DeForest Street, in front of the library, in the farmer's market
By Who: Diane
With What: the wood press the Lapacek's have used to make cider up until Jared bought the Hazard Orchard in 2002
Please email me or post a question on this blog if there is any information I'm forgetting to add or you're curious about!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Exciting News!
Yes, it has finally happened! Lapacek's Orchard now has a port-a-potty! Our first customer that used it today said it was the cleanest port-a-potty she'd ever seen...may have something to do with it just being delivered :)
What a weekend!
It was an amazing weekend at the orchard! We had the most beautiful weather and lots of fun people and families visiting us. On Saturday morning I attended the Sun Prairie Farmer's Market. It was my first week there with cider and I'm pretty sure people were happy about that. If you ever decide to head over there on a Saturday morning be sure to not only get some apples from me, but try out the scones from Market Street Bakery...they are AMAZING (there apple pies and cheese bread are wonderful too)!
I spent the afternoon at the orchard helping out customers. Kelsey watched the girls for us, thank goodness. We're just so busy it's hard to keep an eye on both of them. Frank helped an old friend of his and got him hooked on mac's. As a treat, he sent him home with a sample Honeycrisp. I would say about 20 to 30 minutes later the gentleman was back...we had him hooked. I believe his exact words were, "It is better than steak!".
I can't remember if it was Saturday or Sunday, but we also had a mom and a daughter (I believe) that made me laugh...they had printed out our webpage and had done research before they came on the apples they wanted to try! I love a prepared person. It is so much like something that I would do! Thanks for stopping if you're reading this...it was fun!
Frank also picked the girls pumpkins on Saturday night. It was so adorable! He was so proud of them. He had to carry them both in and make sure to set them up for there pictures. So cute! Earlier, when the pumpkins were still green they had carved the girls' names into the pumpkins. As they grew that names turned scar-like. They're super neat. Be sure to look at them when you come into the store (window sill to your left as you walk in).
People went crazy with the raspberry picking this weekend! The berries were plentiful and everyone had a good time. Stop by tomorrow or later this week to pick your own fresh raspberries!
Cedi's awake, have to end my blogging for this morning. Have a good week everyone!
I spent the afternoon at the orchard helping out customers. Kelsey watched the girls for us, thank goodness. We're just so busy it's hard to keep an eye on both of them. Frank helped an old friend of his and got him hooked on mac's. As a treat, he sent him home with a sample Honeycrisp. I would say about 20 to 30 minutes later the gentleman was back...we had him hooked. I believe his exact words were, "It is better than steak!".
I can't remember if it was Saturday or Sunday, but we also had a mom and a daughter (I believe) that made me laugh...they had printed out our webpage and had done research before they came on the apples they wanted to try! I love a prepared person. It is so much like something that I would do! Thanks for stopping if you're reading this...it was fun!
Frank also picked the girls pumpkins on Saturday night. It was so adorable! He was so proud of them. He had to carry them both in and make sure to set them up for there pictures. So cute! Earlier, when the pumpkins were still green they had carved the girls' names into the pumpkins. As they grew that names turned scar-like. They're super neat. Be sure to look at them when you come into the store (window sill to your left as you walk in).
People went crazy with the raspberry picking this weekend! The berries were plentiful and everyone had a good time. Stop by tomorrow or later this week to pick your own fresh raspberries!
Cedi's awake, have to end my blogging for this morning. Have a good week everyone!
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Labels:
Honeycrisp,
Market Street Bakery,
pick your own,
pumpkins,
quote of the day,
raspberry,
Sun Prairie Farmer's Market
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Friday, September 19, 2008
Say Cheese!, Quilt of the Week Alternate & the Gala Dilemma
Hello All! It's been a few days since I've written. Of course, I had to have some internet problems...what would a busy season be without that happening! Luckily it's back up and working... and I have a few new stories to update you with!
Pat Fischbeck, from the Speckled Hen Inn Bed & Breakfast in Madison, WI, visited our orchard this past week. She took some beautiful pictures of the orchard, picking and some of the fun things we offer. She uses our apples regularly at her Bed & Breakfast for snacks and in the breakfasts'. She was kind enough to bring us a few apple scone things she made...they were delicious! Diane and I had two before Frank even got home from picking! Thanks, Pat, it was a great pick-me-up for a long, busy day! To see more information about her bed and breakfast check out her website: http://www.speckledheninn.com/
I also do realize that I have not posted a 'Quilt of the Week' this week. I should really put one of Diane's up but I haven't had anytime to re-type her stories yet. So, instead of featuring a quilt I'm going to feature the upcoming quilt retreat! Diane and her sister, Barb, are holding a quilt retreat this November at Camp Wawbeek in the Wisconsin Dells. They still have some openings for the weekend of November 14, 15, and 16th, 2008. It's an overnight retreat and every year, one or two of the attendee's do stay up all night quilting! It's a really fun time, Diane and Barb are experienced and knowledgable teachers who also like to have a good time. I have gone to three retreats and have enjoyed myself. To learn more about the project for this year check out the details at http://www.quiltsbybarb.com/quiltretreats.htm. Hope to see you there!
And last but not least...a bit of sad news. The gala's are quickly running low in supply. We underestimated the age of some of our gala trees and did not replant quickly enough to avoid a dip in our supply. Our older trees produced tiny, tiny apples. Our newer trees produced big, beautiful, delicious apples...just not enough to satisfy the high demand (it is my favorite apple!). What this means is that we will be running out of gala's soon, probably this weekend, but hopefully, if everything goes well, we will have a continually increasing supply in years to come.
New apple out this week: Fireside! A yummy, sweet apple alternative to the gala. Also known as a Connel Red!
Hope you stop out and see all the new fall decorations we've been putting up around the orchard.
Pat Fischbeck, from the Speckled Hen Inn Bed & Breakfast in Madison, WI, visited our orchard this past week. She took some beautiful pictures of the orchard, picking and some of the fun things we offer. She uses our apples regularly at her Bed & Breakfast for snacks and in the breakfasts'. She was kind enough to bring us a few apple scone things she made...they were delicious! Diane and I had two before Frank even got home from picking! Thanks, Pat, it was a great pick-me-up for a long, busy day! To see more information about her bed and breakfast check out her website: http://www.speckledheninn.com/
I also do realize that I have not posted a 'Quilt of the Week' this week. I should really put one of Diane's up but I haven't had anytime to re-type her stories yet. So, instead of featuring a quilt I'm going to feature the upcoming quilt retreat! Diane and her sister, Barb, are holding a quilt retreat this November at Camp Wawbeek in the Wisconsin Dells. They still have some openings for the weekend of November 14, 15, and 16th, 2008. It's an overnight retreat and every year, one or two of the attendee's do stay up all night quilting! It's a really fun time, Diane and Barb are experienced and knowledgable teachers who also like to have a good time. I have gone to three retreats and have enjoyed myself. To learn more about the project for this year check out the details at http://www.quiltsbybarb.com/quiltretreats.htm. Hope to see you there!
And last but not least...a bit of sad news. The gala's are quickly running low in supply. We underestimated the age of some of our gala trees and did not replant quickly enough to avoid a dip in our supply. Our older trees produced tiny, tiny apples. Our newer trees produced big, beautiful, delicious apples...just not enough to satisfy the high demand (it is my favorite apple!). What this means is that we will be running out of gala's soon, probably this weekend, but hopefully, if everything goes well, we will have a continually increasing supply in years to come.
New apple out this week: Fireside! A yummy, sweet apple alternative to the gala. Also known as a Connel Red!
Hope you stop out and see all the new fall decorations we've been putting up around the orchard.
Labels:
bed and breakfast,
Camp Wawbeek,
fall,
fireside,
gala,
pictures,
quilt of the week,
quilt retreat,
quiltsbybarb.com,
Speckled Hen Inn,
Wisconsin Dells
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tour Groups and Caramel Apples
Well, we have really started to get into our tour group season! We had two tours go through this morning. Diane leads the tours but it seemed like everyone was enjoying it. We have a rather large group coming at 9 tomorrow morning so I have to lead the orchard portion of the tour. I don't mind doing it since I love talking but I'm much better at the one-on-one stuff :)
Diane also put up a really neat corn shock tunnel for the kids to play in. She added some fun things to it like broom corn and huge sunflowers. I think it turned out very well. Frank and Diane have also been picking pumpkins, gourds and squash whenever they have a minute. It's really starting to look like fall around the orchard! Frank picked up a bunch of beautiful mums again at the auction this week. Stop by and decorate your garden/yard!
After we got the girls to bed, Jared and I made another batch of caramel apples...we're really starting to get the hang of things!
Diane also put up a really neat corn shock tunnel for the kids to play in. She added some fun things to it like broom corn and huge sunflowers. I think it turned out very well. Frank and Diane have also been picking pumpkins, gourds and squash whenever they have a minute. It's really starting to look like fall around the orchard! Frank picked up a bunch of beautiful mums again at the auction this week. Stop by and decorate your garden/yard!
After we got the girls to bed, Jared and I made another batch of caramel apples...we're really starting to get the hang of things!
Labels:
broom corn,
Caramel Apples,
corn shock,
garden,
gourds,
mums,
pumpkins,
summer squash,
sunflowers,
tour,
tunnel
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
WoW! What a Day!
Things were quite busy today for me. I started my morning off by dropping my girls at there sitter to the day. Then went to the store to sort, fill the shelves, organize a little and get ready for my market. We had a decent crowd come through including a wonderful couple of women with five kids. They seemed to really enjoy themselves...they fed the cows, played with our farm animals, picked raspberries, and in the end, had a little picnic. Very nice people that I was glad to have met. A senior citizen group also came out for a tour of our facilities. They saw how we sort the apples, checked out the cooler, explored the orchard (a bit), saw the animals and ended there visit with a nice little picnic and some raspberry picking.
Just after noon, my parents and Jared came over with a load of apples. We unloaded and grabbed a quick bite of lunch. The remainder of my afternoon consitted of helping customers and packing for my market.
At around 3 I headed out for DeForest, but first had to make a stop at the post office. Regents are ready and they are my sister-in-law, Karma's favorite. Of course we had to send her a few. I volunteered to stop by the post office and mail them out before the market. For some reason I left my cell phone at the post office (no idea how/why?) but didn't realize it was missing until around 6:30. A family friend was kind enough to pick it up...it's amazing how much you miss those things when you don't have them!
The DeForest Market went very well. I had cider for the first time this week and I think the customers were pretty excited about it.
After the market, I hurried home to help make cider. We have our second batch completed...thanks again to Al and John.
To finish the evening I'm finally ordering some pics of my girls...
Just after noon, my parents and Jared came over with a load of apples. We unloaded and grabbed a quick bite of lunch. The remainder of my afternoon consitted of helping customers and packing for my market.
At around 3 I headed out for DeForest, but first had to make a stop at the post office. Regents are ready and they are my sister-in-law, Karma's favorite. Of course we had to send her a few. I volunteered to stop by the post office and mail them out before the market. For some reason I left my cell phone at the post office (no idea how/why?) but didn't realize it was missing until around 6:30. A family friend was kind enough to pick it up...it's amazing how much you miss those things when you don't have them!
The DeForest Market went very well. I had cider for the first time this week and I think the customers were pretty excited about it.
After the market, I hurried home to help make cider. We have our second batch completed...thanks again to Al and John.
To finish the evening I'm finally ordering some pics of my girls...
Apples, Apples and MORE Apples!
Things are going very well at the orchard! We have been keeping busy at the store and in the orchard. Jared managed to get off for a partial day yesterday so I went over to pick with him. I found some honeycrisp that are literally the size of softballs! Amazing! My parents have also been here for the past few days helping with the girls and picking. The cooler is starting to fill up and things are getting done! Jared also has off today so things should really get going. I found him an empire (his favorite) to try yesterday and he is going to be picking some for me today. We'll see if he has any other new variety for us today...
We have our second group coming to the orchard this morning. I'm sure they'll have fun! I'm heading to the DeForest Farmer's Market this evening with more apples than last week. I don't want to run out again (well, at least not until 7!)
I would write in more detail but I have to get moving....it's apple season!
We have our second group coming to the orchard this morning. I'm sure they'll have fun! I'm heading to the DeForest Farmer's Market this evening with more apples than last week. I don't want to run out again (well, at least not until 7!)
I would write in more detail but I have to get moving....it's apple season!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Rainy Saturday...
Hello everyone...yes, it was a rainy Saturday. We stayed fairly steady at the store but were also able to get a few other things completed that we really needed to finish. Hopefully we'll have better weather tomorrow. My parents are in town for a few days to help with picking and that doesn't really work when it's raining. They picked a lot of Friday and were able to get out for one load today. Also, our guy FINALLY showed up to start our deer fence. Last winter, when we had so much snow, deer really became a problem in our orchard so we decided to bight the bullet and put up a fence around the entire orchard. I've been hounding our man for months to get down here and get it up (I literally would call every week to see if we were on the calendar or not yet) and he showed up this morning! Yeah!
I have another story to share that involves quite a few people and an adorable kitten:
On Wednesday night when everyone was setting up for the garage sale, our friends' kids, Bailey and Kersten found a little stary kitten. We're pretty sure it was left at our house because it was quite tame and didn't mind being held or pet. The kitten had to be between 6 to 7 weeks old. We put her in the barn to play with the other cats and a family came in and fell in love with her. She is very little so we wanted a family to adopt her and take care of her because we just don't have the time to do it at this point of the season. Unfortunately, the family was going on vacation on the weekend and couldn't take the kitty. The little girl even wanted to cancel there trip! So, I had this great idea: I would use my little 21 month old daughter, Cedi, to convince her dad that we needed an indoor kitten. There's no way a dad could say no to a little girl, right? Well, Cedi didn't do what I had hoped...she pet the kitty and then said, "Put - In - Barn"...(that's were all the other kitties are). She is very into having things in there proper place...needless to say, we couldn't keep the kitty in the house. Luckily, today a wonderful lady came in and fell in love with the kitty (Rainy) and took her home to adopt her. We're very happy to have found a loving home.
The quote of the day, "As I drove by the DeForest Farmer's Market all I could think was...Gas or a caramel apple? Gas or a caramel apple?" (Gas won, but just barely and she came in today to buy two caramel apples!)
I have another story to share that involves quite a few people and an adorable kitten:
On Wednesday night when everyone was setting up for the garage sale, our friends' kids, Bailey and Kersten found a little stary kitten. We're pretty sure it was left at our house because it was quite tame and didn't mind being held or pet. The kitten had to be between 6 to 7 weeks old. We put her in the barn to play with the other cats and a family came in and fell in love with her. She is very little so we wanted a family to adopt her and take care of her because we just don't have the time to do it at this point of the season. Unfortunately, the family was going on vacation on the weekend and couldn't take the kitty. The little girl even wanted to cancel there trip! So, I had this great idea: I would use my little 21 month old daughter, Cedi, to convince her dad that we needed an indoor kitten. There's no way a dad could say no to a little girl, right? Well, Cedi didn't do what I had hoped...she pet the kitty and then said, "Put - In - Barn"...(that's were all the other kitties are). She is very into having things in there proper place...needless to say, we couldn't keep the kitty in the house. Luckily, today a wonderful lady came in and fell in love with the kitty (Rainy) and took her home to adopt her. We're very happy to have found a loving home.
The quote of the day, "As I drove by the DeForest Farmer's Market all I could think was...Gas or a caramel apple? Gas or a caramel apple?" (Gas won, but just barely and she came in today to buy two caramel apples!)
Sorry Sun Prairie
Unfortunately mother nature has determined that I will not be heading to the Sun Prairie's Farmer's Market this morning. I do apologize. It's just too rainy and it looks like it's going to continue to be that way for the rest of the morning and into the afternoon. I would like to note that the apple store is OPEN! So, feel free to take a short day trip up the orchard to pick up your apples (Honeycrisp, gala, cortland, mcintosh, wealthy, spartan, fuji, paulared, NW Greening and wolf rivers), cider, and caramel apples. We would love to see you there.
Labels:
Caramel Apples,
Cider,
Cortland,
fuji,
gala,
Honeycrisp,
McIntosh,
NW Greening,
paulared,
rain,
spartan,
Sun Prairie Farmer's Market,
wealthy,
Wolf River
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Friday, September 12, 2008
Big Apple Week/Weekend
Hello All! I've been seeing lots of familiar faces this past week and LOTS of new ones! It's been a great couple of days at the orchard. We've had a few day cares stop at the orchard and have picnic's and explore the place. It looked like they had some fun. Our garage sale is quite successful. Be sure to check it out tomorrow...lots of fun things...every time I go to the house I find something new that I have to buy!
We're making caramel apples now. I had all these fun things to write but I can't seem to think of them now. Don't be surprised if you see another entry from me soon!
Kim!
We're making caramel apples now. I had all these fun things to write but I can't seem to think of them now. Don't be surprised if you see another entry from me soon!
Kim!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Quilt of the Week
I promise to do my best to find some time to put a quilt of Diane's up here next week...for now, another one of mine...
Denim Rag Quilt
This quilt was made using a combination of denim from old jeans, cotton scraps from previous quilts I’ve made, and flannel (back). The scraps add a fun dimensional and colorful touch to the quilt. By combining the denim and cotton I’ve created a heavy, snug quilt for a small child that they will absolutely love. It’s warm and cozy and they love to suck on the rag ends that are everywhere on the quilts. This quilt is sure to become a child’s favorite. Size: 33.5” x 27.5”
Machine Pieced and Quilted by Kim Lapacek
Poynette, Wisconsin
2007
For more pictures check out: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10564149
CIDER COMPLETE!
Well, we finished making cider in record time tonight. I have to thank Jay, Al and Jon for all there help. I don't think we've ever had that much help and gotten done so quickly. It felt great. As soon as the cider room in cleaned and sanitized we will be hauling it over to the store and it will be put in the cooler for you to buy bright and early tomorrow morning! We hope you enjoy this years first batch of unpasturized, unpreserved cider!
HONEYCRISP & Cider!
Hello All! I'm taking a quick breather to update you on the lastest happenings in the orchard! Jared got today off from work and picked apples all day...I looked outside and the trailer is really full! I came with him in the morning to help pick and we started on the Gala's. They're absolutely beautiful and delicious! Then we decided to see how the Honeycrisp were doing...well, they are DONE, READY, JUICY, DELICIOUS, and we picked them. They are currently for sale on the shelves of our store.
After I finished picking some apples I went to the store to help Diane sort and run the store. Our neighbors were busy getting things out for our upcoming garage sale (starting tomorrow and running through Saturday). We stayed fairly busy throughout the afternoon. Frank headed out to the Waunakee market and we got the first of our pumpkins out. It's really starting to look like fall at the orchard!
Well, I have a few minutes to grab a bite to eat! Hope to see you soon!
After I finished picking some apples I went to the store to help Diane sort and run the store. Our neighbors were busy getting things out for our upcoming garage sale (starting tomorrow and running through Saturday). We stayed fairly busy throughout the afternoon. Frank headed out to the Waunakee market and we got the first of our pumpkins out. It's really starting to look like fall at the orchard!
Well, I have a few minutes to grab a bite to eat! Hope to see you soon!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Farmer's Markets and Caramel Apples
Hello All! It was great to see so many people at the DeForest Farmer's Market today. Unfortunately I under-planned the number of apples I would need and sold out a half-hour early. I apologize to anyone who showed up after I left and promise I will try to plan better for next week! I am happy to have sold out though...that can't be a bad thing...
I just wanted to share with you an email I just recieved about our caramel apples from David Paynter...
I am at my desk enjoying a Lapacek's Orchard candy apple, special delivery from Tom Bewick. Add me to the list of people that say your product "rocks".
Jared and I will be making more tonight!
I just wanted to share with you an email I just recieved about our caramel apples from David Paynter...
I am at my desk enjoying a Lapacek's Orchard candy apple, special delivery from Tom Bewick. Add me to the list of people that say your product "rocks".
Jared and I will be making more tonight!
Raspberries and Cider and Garage Sales
We had a really great weekend. Fall was in the air and everyone was in the mood for apples. We did our first weekend of pick your won raspberries. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. (If you had any problems, please let us know.) And we got many compliments on the wonderful, big berries. We hear they're not so great many places this year, probably due to the recent dry weather. We have a drip line irrigation system in ours so the water is not a problem. We're still learning and your feedback is valuable to us to help us make adjustments.
The first batch of cider will be made Wednesday night and be available here on Thursday morning just in time for the Garage Sale. Hope to see many of you then
Not much picking got done yesterday with the rain, so we're hoping for a good day at it today. The raspberries have had a day of rest and should be looking good for picking today and tomorrow
Frank brought home some really beautiful mums from the Badgerland Produce Co-op Auction yesterday, so I used them to decorate the place...and our decorations are always for sale. (Everything's for sale except the help and the critters. And, yes, those 2 really cite little girls are part of the help.) I want to get some corn stalks cut before the weekend and I picked the first of the gourds, so the place is starting to get that wonderful fall look.
Our first tour group of the year was here yesterday. The Family Resource Center from Portage is always our first. It started to rain lightly 10 minutes before we were scheduled to begin, but we managed to get out to the orchard between showers and checked out our sorting line and cooler and talked about emus inside. Then we got another break between showers so we went outside and saw the emus and cows and some of the older kids actually took a run through the sunflowers field to see the giant sunflowers.
The sunflower field is intended to be a play place for the kids, so be sure to check it out when you're here. We planted in rows this year, and when some washed out in the heavy rains, we just left the spaces. It's kind of like the corn fields so many of us played in as kids.
Well, I think it's time to go picking. The dew is really heavy today, so we'll be avoiding the MacIntosh, at least for a while. They tend to get all kinds of little finger bruises if you pick them wet.
The first batch of cider will be made Wednesday night and be available here on Thursday morning just in time for the Garage Sale. Hope to see many of you then
Not much picking got done yesterday with the rain, so we're hoping for a good day at it today. The raspberries have had a day of rest and should be looking good for picking today and tomorrow
Frank brought home some really beautiful mums from the Badgerland Produce Co-op Auction yesterday, so I used them to decorate the place...and our decorations are always for sale. (Everything's for sale except the help and the critters. And, yes, those 2 really cite little girls are part of the help.) I want to get some corn stalks cut before the weekend and I picked the first of the gourds, so the place is starting to get that wonderful fall look.
Our first tour group of the year was here yesterday. The Family Resource Center from Portage is always our first. It started to rain lightly 10 minutes before we were scheduled to begin, but we managed to get out to the orchard between showers and checked out our sorting line and cooler and talked about emus inside. Then we got another break between showers so we went outside and saw the emus and cows and some of the older kids actually took a run through the sunflowers field to see the giant sunflowers.
The sunflower field is intended to be a play place for the kids, so be sure to check it out when you're here. We planted in rows this year, and when some washed out in the heavy rains, we just left the spaces. It's kind of like the corn fields so many of us played in as kids.
Well, I think it's time to go picking. The dew is really heavy today, so we'll be avoiding the MacIntosh, at least for a while. They tend to get all kinds of little finger bruises if you pick them wet.
Labels:
calves,
Cider,
cows,
Garage Sale,
kids,
MacIntosh,
mums,
picking,
rapsberrries,
sunflowers,
tomatoes,
tour
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Sunday, September 7, 2008
How Could I Forget...Update on Raspberries
I can't believe I forgot to mention that we have opened up our Raspberry patch for pick your own! They are producing LOTS and LOTS of beautiful, gorgeous, large berries! Bring your family, grab a pint, and head out to our bushes!
Apple Season has Truly Begun!
Hello Everyone! We saw a lot of familiar faces yesterday and it was very refreshing! We definately had a decent crowd of apple lovers at the store and the Sun Prairie Farmer's Market.
Well, the apples are finally starting to ripen. The boys picked some McIntosh, Cortland, Jonamac, Gala, and Wolf River yesterday. It is so nice to see our shelves filling up with APPLES! Because of this mixture of apples we are also know offering our Baker's Mix filled with Paulareds, McIntosh, and Cortland to give your baking a wonderful mixture of flavor and texture. Diane always bakes like this and trust me, her family is not disappointed.
My sister-in-law, Karma, just sent me this email that I found interstering and you may too:
Hi Kim. I was just reading my new Runner's World and it had an article on "fresh thinking" when it comes to eating. They talked about a "locavore" who tries to buy local and had some interesting facts... one study found that people are 10 times more likely to have a conversation at a farmers' market as they do at supermarkets. Another study found that local-based food systems used 17 times less fuel than conventional food systems. Thought you might like to hear those :) Karma
We're also starting to gear up for our upcoming garage sale next weekend. The garage has been cleaned and empty. Jared and I have started to deliver boxes of things to be sold. It is going to be a multi-family garage sale and for anyone who is a dedicated garage-saler, you know those are the best ones to hit.
Well, I have to go and make some caramel apples!
Well, the apples are finally starting to ripen. The boys picked some McIntosh, Cortland, Jonamac, Gala, and Wolf River yesterday. It is so nice to see our shelves filling up with APPLES! Because of this mixture of apples we are also know offering our Baker's Mix filled with Paulareds, McIntosh, and Cortland to give your baking a wonderful mixture of flavor and texture. Diane always bakes like this and trust me, her family is not disappointed.
My sister-in-law, Karma, just sent me this email that I found interstering and you may too:
Hi Kim. I was just reading my new Runner's World and it had an article on "fresh thinking" when it comes to eating. They talked about a "locavore" who tries to buy local and had some interesting facts... one study found that people are 10 times more likely to have a conversation at a farmers' market as they do at supermarkets. Another study found that local-based food systems used 17 times less fuel than conventional food systems. Thought you might like to hear those :) Karma
We're also starting to gear up for our upcoming garage sale next weekend. The garage has been cleaned and empty. Jared and I have started to deliver boxes of things to be sold. It is going to be a multi-family garage sale and for anyone who is a dedicated garage-saler, you know those are the best ones to hit.
Well, I have to go and make some caramel apples!
Labels:
Caramel Apples,
Cortland,
gala,
Garage Sale,
Jonamac,
locavore,
McIntosh,
paulared,
Sun Prairie Farmer's Market,
Wolf River
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Friday, September 5, 2008
Quilt of the Week
Since Diane decided not to save her quilt stories she's just going to have to wait at least one more week before she gets featured...so today, you will hear and see about a beautiful quilt made by my sister-in-law, Karma...
True Lover’s Knot
When I graduated from college, my parents bought me a sewing machine. I soon started clinical assignments for my Master’s of Physical Therapy degree and suddenly I had more free time...no studying and no more part-time jobs!. I found the wonderful swirly print for this quilt, then added lots of fabrics Mom had dyed herself. 71” x 55”.
Machine Pieced by Karma Lapacek,
Poynette, Wisconsin
Machine Quilted by Barb Raisbeck,
Bloomington, Wisconsin
www.quiltsbybarb.com
2004
Apple Picking!
Well, it was my first time out apple picking today and what a wonderful day for it! It was the perfect day. My allergies are usually too bad so I haven't picked in about 2 years (I had been pregnant and unable to take much medication-wise to control the allergies). I felt like I had them under control today so I decided to try it. I'll know by about 2am if it was a smart decision or not. I put the girls in for there afternoon nap and then picked north of the house until they woke up. Then, when Jared got home, he watched Capri (Cedi was napping still) and I picked some beautiful Gala's (my favorite).
Once I finished picking I headed back over to the store to finish sorting for the Sun Prairie market. I'm excited that I will have more than just Paulareds to bring (not that there is anything wrong with Paula's but it's so much more fun to have some variety!) I'm currently waiting for the caramel to heat up so I can help make some more caramel apples for this weekend.
Next time you're at the store be sure to check out the cute new gift items I just got it...some adorable farm animal chalkboards and some more super cute planters!
Hope to see you this weekend!
Once I finished picking I headed back over to the store to finish sorting for the Sun Prairie market. I'm excited that I will have more than just Paulareds to bring (not that there is anything wrong with Paula's but it's so much more fun to have some variety!) I'm currently waiting for the caramel to heat up so I can help make some more caramel apples for this weekend.
Next time you're at the store be sure to check out the cute new gift items I just got it...some adorable farm animal chalkboards and some more super cute planters!
Hope to see you this weekend!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Winter Squash!
I almost forgot to mention...Frank and Diane picked the first of our winter squash last night. They said it looks wonderful! And we have LOTS and LOTS of really fun and interesting gourds ripening on the vine as we speak! They also added some of there cantaloupe the shelves. We have some seedless watermelon and yukon gold potatoes from the produce auction. The store is starting to fill up!
Apples & Schools!
Hello All! It was a rainy day at the orchard. Not a lot of customers but we got a lot of those little things done before we get super busy. The rain was also really needed so that makes not being able to pick a bit easier to handle. I brought some new jewelry to the store today...these funky chunky necklaces that I've been making. I've heard MANY requests for more necklaces so I've been trying to fulfill that request. I also hung up labels for the new hoodies that we dyed. They are hanging up high in the 'craft & veggie' room so don't be afraid to look up when you walk in.
One of the things we've been working on lately is to try and get our apples out and into the local schools. Waunakee bought our apples for the entire fall semester last year and they reported that twice as many apples were being eaten and that they were seeing less in the garbages. We are continuing to provide apples to them this year. Rio picked up a delivery for some apples today and we will be delivering some to Poynette on Monday. I have a call into DeForest to see if they are interested as well. It's nice to be able to support our LOCAL schools with food that can be produced in there area. Hopefully this works out for everyone!
Enjoy the rest of this wonderfully rainy day!
One of the things we've been working on lately is to try and get our apples out and into the local schools. Waunakee bought our apples for the entire fall semester last year and they reported that twice as many apples were being eaten and that they were seeing less in the garbages. We are continuing to provide apples to them this year. Rio picked up a delivery for some apples today and we will be delivering some to Poynette on Monday. I have a call into DeForest to see if they are interested as well. It's nice to be able to support our LOCAL schools with food that can be produced in there area. Hopefully this works out for everyone!
Enjoy the rest of this wonderfully rainy day!
Labels:
DeForest,
hand dyes,
hoodies,
jewelry,
local,
Poynette,
rain,
Rio,
schools,
Waunakee
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Monday, September 1, 2008
Happy Labor Day!
I hope everyone had a nice labor day and didn't get over heated! Wow, it got to be a hot one today. It was a fairly uneventful day at the orchard. The boys and Cedi went up to the auction this morning. Cedi had lots of fun playing with a couple of the Amish boys up there. She was passed out in the truck by the time they got home...always a nice thing.
Diane, Capri and I ran the store. I sorted some apples while Capri and Diane did some paperwork. Capri and I ended up heading home for a bit this afternoon because she just wouldn't go down for a proper nap at the store. I was able to get a really neat necklace made and a few cool bracelets as well. Hope you decide to stop by to see them sometime.
Jared, Cedi, Capri and I closed up the store at the end of the day so Diane and Frank could attend there annual block party. It was really nice to hang out with my husband and family for awhile. That doesn't happen all that often during apple season so I always savor the time that we do have.
Jared and I also just finished a batch of caramel apples for this weeks farmer's market. They look so tempting...it's hard not to eat them all up now!
Take Care!
Diane, Capri and I ran the store. I sorted some apples while Capri and Diane did some paperwork. Capri and I ended up heading home for a bit this afternoon because she just wouldn't go down for a proper nap at the store. I was able to get a really neat necklace made and a few cool bracelets as well. Hope you decide to stop by to see them sometime.
Jared, Cedi, Capri and I closed up the store at the end of the day so Diane and Frank could attend there annual block party. It was really nice to hang out with my husband and family for awhile. That doesn't happen all that often during apple season so I always savor the time that we do have.
Jared and I also just finished a batch of caramel apples for this weeks farmer's market. They look so tempting...it's hard not to eat them all up now!
Take Care!
Labels:
amish,
bracelet,
Caramel Apples,
Cedi,
jewelry,
necklace,
produce auction,
sorted
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