A fantastic photo submitted by Elizabeth Peters to the Lapacek’s Orchard Facebook page as part of the Orchard Photo Scavenger Hunt.  I love the shot they got with the barn quilt in the background!

Last night, my friend Jenna, came over to help me make my ‘Gourmet Caramel Apple POPS’.  (Jared was making cider with the Sun Prairie Wine Club).  I am so happy that Jenna came to help as she shared my enthusiasm for trying new combinations for fun caramel apples.  These will be available for sale (while supplies last) during the Handcrafted Hoedown for the Holidays.  Here’s what we came up with…

S’More Caramel Apple

(chocolate chips on the bottom, marshmallow’s around the middle and crushed graham crackers sprinkled on top)

  Rice Krispie Caramel Apple Chocolate Covered Cherries Caramel Apples

(dried cherries with chocolate chips)

M&M Caramel Apple Pecan Turtle Caramel Apple  Chocolate Chip Caramel AppleWalnut Turtle Caramel Apple

When this is all over I’ll be asking everyone their thoughts on the different varieties and who knows…maybe we’ll have a ‘new’ variety next year…  

This picture was taken at the orchard of my girls by Cory of Friends in Photography.  To see more pictures she took go here:  my beauties

I can’t believe the Hoedown opens up this FRIDAY!  WOW!  Time has flown.  I’m going to try to post some teaser’s to get people super excited for the sale.

If you’re one of the first their you may be able to snag one of these amazingly, adorable ceramic owl ornaments that I purchased for the sale from a friend of mine on etsy – MissPottery:

  I only have a dozen so don’t wait too long!

If you do miss out – don’t worry – you can order your very own from MissPottery via etsy right here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/60509188/owl-ornament-for-your-christmas-tree-or

In the almost four years since I’ve had my kids, I had yet to pay a professional to take their photo.  When I saw THIS PHOTO I knew it was time to see what Cory, of Friends in Photography could do with my girls.

Mercedi

I was not disappointed…  Capri

AT ALL!   The adorable handmade holiday dresses Cedi & Capri are wearing were made by Kiki of AlltheNumbers.  Our dyeing sunflower field made a perfect place for some amazing photo’s to be taken! 

Aren’t they just so sweet and beautiful!?

**Disclaimer** I know this doesn’t have much do with the orchard, other than they were taken there, but I think my kids are just so beautiful I want to share with everyone!

MaryBeth Seib put this picture up on the Lapacek’s Orchard Facebook page and I just had to make it the picture of the week…  This is a picture of all ONE family that showed up for a fun time at the orchard.  When they first arrived on a weekday, I thought it was a home school group coming for a self-guided tour – turns out it was a mom, with her SIX daughter’s and grand children.  This is what I love to see our orchard doing – helping families make memories of time they spent together. 

Anne Khodadad submitted this adorable photo for my new ‘Photo of the Week’ feature.  Isn’t he adorable!?

Hi everyone!  Just a quick reminder that our November Hours have started. 

November Hours:

Wednesday – Friday from NOON to 6pm

Saturday from 9am to 5pm

Sunday from 10am to 5pm

Monday – Tuesdays: CLOSED

Also, farmer’s markets are all done for the season.

If none of these times work for you please call and we can schedule a pick-up.  Thanks for understanding!

Many people that know me, know that I’m an avid seller of my crafty/arty-ness on etsy.  If you’ve never head of etsy before, Etsy is a social commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies.  It’s a great site and a great place to find unique gifts for yourself or others.

Here’s my ‘Apple Orchard’ pick of the week:

 7 Green 1 Red Pomes original water color painting of apples from TheJoyofColor

The other weekend my Aunt Ellen (along with quite a few of my other relatives) visited the orchard.  My Aunt Ellen is one of my 12 aunts on my mother’s side.  Because our family is so large, for Christmas, instead of exchanging gifts we are all supposed to make an ornament.  We decorate the tree at the hall we rent with these ornaments and then when the party is over we pick names and give that person our ornament.  Everyone always crosses their fingers that Aunt Ellen will draw there name. 

Why?  Ellen Landwehr is a nationally known rosemaling artist.  A few Christmas's again, she was chosen to have her ornament hung on the White House Christmas Tree. She has written and published two books (Rosemaling with Ellen, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2). 

Back to my initial story – so my Aunt Ellen stopped by the orchard for a visit.  She saw our blown out emu eggs in the store and mentioned that she had painted them before for someone.  I immediately asked her if she would like to paint some of ours for us to sell.  I sent her home with a crate full of blank, deep turquoise emu eggs.  This is what was sent back with my parents a few weeks later (and the pictures don’t even do them justice)

             Aren’t these just stunning!?  I have six beautifully painted eggs for sale at the orchard.  I don’t have the best way to display them just yet so if you want to be sure to see them be sure to ask me where I have them. 

I took some fantastic pictures of these coneflowers that I spotted behind the red building at our orchard one day – I’m in love!

from the kitchen of:

Apple Cider Syrup
1 ½ cups Apple Cider
1 Tablespoon Mulling Spice Mix tied in a square of cheesecloth.
2 Tablespoons Corn Starch
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup butter
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons orange zest.

Place Apple Cider in a 4-cup Microwavable measuring cup. Add the bundle of mulling spices. Microwave on high just until the cider is steaming hot. Allow to sit for 5 minutes and remove the spice bundle. Combine the corn starch and sugar. Add to the warm cider and mix thoroughly. Microwave one minute at a time stirring several times until thickened (3 to 5 minutes total). Add butter lemon juice and zest. Stir until the butter melts. Serve over pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit or Apple Fritters.

***For all the other fantastic recipes made at the 2010 Savor & Sample Festival visit the Columbia County Extension Website: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/columbia/

This fantastic photo was taken a few weekends ago by a friend of ours, Nate Viste.

If you have a great photo from our apple orchard that you’d like to share just email me at lapaceksorchard@gmail.com with it or submit it to my flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/lapaceksorchard/

During the Savor & Sample Festival I was beyond busy (yes, a good thing) so unfortunately I was unable to try some of the food that was being made.  When I found out that Julie of Julie’s Java House was making Grilled Cheese for her demonstration I told Jared that I needed him to make sure to get me a piece (I LOVE grilled cheese).  Well, unfortunately Jared did not get me a sample, BUT the lovely Julie brought me some!  AND seriously, it was the best grilled cheese that I have ever had!  Here’s the recipe if you’re interested…

From the Kitchen of Julie’s Java House

Sweet and Savory Fusion

Ingredients

· 8 slices of your favorite bread (Julie used a cinnamon bread – WOW!)

· 1 peeled apple (cored and sliced)

· 1 sweet onion (sliced)

· ½ cup sharp cheddar (shredded)

· 1 garlic clove (roasted)

· 1 cup Havarti cheese (shredded)

· ¼ cup asiago cheese (shredded)

· 4 T. soft butter

Directions

1) Sauté apple and onion in 1 tablespoon of butter until caramelized set aside.

2) Mix 3 tablespoons of butter, roasted garlic clove, and asiago cheese.

3) In a separate bowl, mix cheddar and Havarti cheese together.

4) Take 8 slices of bread, and butter only one side. Place 4 slices butter side down on grill. Then put ¼ of the cheese mixture and ¼ of the onion/apple mixture on each slice. Place other slice of bread on top, butter side up, and pan fry till crisp.

***For all the other fantastic recipes made at the 2010 Savor & Sample Festival visit the Columbia County Extension Website: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/columbia/

Yes! I am having the Handcrafted Hoedown for the Holiday’s again this year. I’m excited to be able to share with you some familiar faces and some new ones in this years collection of goods. I’ll start out with talking the basics:

What: An opportunity to buy unique, locally hand-crafted items for friends and family while listening to holiday music!

Items from numerous artists include: Quilts, Ornaments, Baskets, Bags and Purses, Belts, Scarves, Holiday Decorations, Baby Items, Hand-dyed Clothing, Jewelry, Crocheted Hats, Winter-Wear Items, Stockings, Tree Skirts, Candles and MORE!

Also, a Mini Quilt Shop, freshly baked goodies from Lapacek’s Orchard and FUN Tarot Card Readings from Sass Mama Arts on Friday, November 19th.

WHEN:

Friday, November 19th from 9am – 5pm

Saturday, November 20th from 9am – 5pm

WHERE:

Lapacek’s Orchard

N1959 Kroncke Road

Poynette, WI 53955

Expect to find Goods from the Following Artists:

Kim’s Crafty Apple – Quilts, bags, Quilted Paper Dolls on the Go, Ornaments, Hand-Dyed Clothing, Belts, plush owls, book wreaths and MORE!

theApple – Crazy, fun, colorful jewelry

Diane Lapacek – Quilts, Ornaments, Decorative Hand-Painted/Stained Gourds, Christmas Decorations

QuiltsbyBarb – Quilts and Quilted Items

Baskets by Becky – Handwoven Baskets for many occasions

Bare Tree Apparel – Awesome Screen Printed Belts and Scarves

My Poplin – Modern, Funky Baby Items

Nise’s Niche - Bags

CJ’s Eco Chic – Soy Candles

Jen G’s – Handmade Soap

Karol T - Recycled Wool Sweater Mittens and More!

JanetQuilts – Table Runners, Christmas Stockings, Bags, Quilts

Story Line Design – Whimsical Buttons

SpaceOddities - Mixture of FUN items!

The Painted Daisy - recycled/upcycled scarves, arm warmers and hats

Glitter Workshop - fun randomness :)

RobertShawDesign - furniture & ornaments

IngesAccents - Metal and Glass Bead Accents

Barb Cook - Crocheted Afghans

Lori Cox - Primitive Art

Julia Jiannacopoulos - Uncommon Objects:

I make adornment for both the body and the home incorporating recycled and found objects. My art celebrates the glitter, funk and glamour of another era. Everything I make is one-of-a-kind for 2 reasons: I believe we have an emotional connection to recognizable objects/materials and when they are re-presented into unique items they illicit both joy and surprise.

Items for the body include; necklaces, bracelets, earrings and chokers.

Items for the home include; antique lamps w/ handmade shades, glitterati lightplates, vases & frames, ruler-inspired wall hooks, and other small funk-a-rific items.

Bob Tomlinson - Santa Woodcarvings

Jane Fullerton - Scrabble Tile Necklaces

Lilac Hill Soaps & Sundries - Balms, lotions, chap sticks, pincushion rings

Anna's Whimsies - Hand Painted and Beaded Kitchen Items

***I will continue to update this list as more artists get back to me***

We are happy to welcome April, a new goat to our orchard family.  From googling ‘earless goats’ (as she has extremely small ears) I think that we have a LaMancha goat added to our mix.April became a part of our family has her partner passed and she was extremely lonely. Now she’ll be able to hang out with Itsy, Zestar, Tree, and of course all the wonderful kids and families that visit the orchard.  Capri and Cedi were quite excited to meet our new goat.  On the way home from the sitter’s Cedi shouted, “I can’t wait to meet the MOTHER GOAT!”  and she has decided that her name must be ‘Super April’ instead of just April.

It’s that time of year to make your apple butter so you’re well stocked for the rest of the year!

I wanted to share with you a couple of my mother-in-law’s recipes from our Apple-tizing Cookbook so you can easily make it yourself.

Apple Butter in a Crock Pot

by Diane Lapacek

3 qt applesauce

6 c. sugar

1/4 c. vinegar

2 tsp. cinnamon, or to desired taste

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. allspice

Pour applesauce into a crock pot.  Bring to boil on high heat, then add sugar and vinegar.  Cook, uncovered, on high heat for about 4 hours or until apple butter is as thick as you want it when you cool a sample in the refrigerator.  Put spices in during last 1/2 hour of cooking.  Does not need to be stirred continuously, just when it is boiling hard and about every hour or so. 

or…for those without a sweet tooth…

Tart & Tangy Apple Butter

by Diane Lapacek

4 qt. applesauce

4 c. cider vinegar

1/4 c. cinnamon

3 T. cloves

1 T. allspice

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot.  Cook uncovered on high setting for about 5 hours or until as thick as you like it.

• Lapacek’s Orchard recommends using our infamous ‘Baker’s Mix’ Apples when creating your apple butter.  The mixture of apples creates a fantastic mixture of flavor that all your family and friends will compliment you on.

It’s the perfect time of year to bake things with apples and squash so it seemed to be the perfect time to post this fantastic recipe that was demonstrated at the 2010 Savor & Sample Fest.

Apple Squash Bake
Betty Priske
Columbia County Master Gardener Volunteer

1 medium butternut squash

1 ½ teaspoons flour (I use 1 Tablespoon)
2 medium apples

½ teaspoons salt
¼ cup brown sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup butter, softened

1.  Cut squash in half; remove seeds. Peel with a vegetable peeler and cut in ½-inch slices.
2.  Core, peel and thinly slice apples.
3.  Combine squash and apples in a 2-quart casserole dish or a deep-dish glass pie plate.
4.  In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon; stir to mix. Sprinkle over squash and apples.
5.  Cover and bake it your way:
•  To microwave (works great!) cover with plastic wrap and microwave in high for about 15-17 minutes, rotating dish every 5 minutes if you don’t have a turn-table, until squash is fork-tender.
•  To bake, cover dish with foil and bake at 350º F. 50-60 minutes until tender.
•  To slow-cook, place everything in slow cooker, cover and cook on “Low” setting for 5 hours.
6.  Makes six servings.

This recipe and other great recipes can be found in The Gardener’s Cookbook from the Columbia County Master Gardener Association ($10). Look for the cookbook at Savor and Sample Fest or in the UW-Extension office, 120 W Conant Street, Portage, WI.

Master Gardener Volunteers are trained individuals who help UW-Extension staff by helping people in the community better understand horticulture and the environment. To become a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer, you must attend a 36-hour training course, pass a final exam, and provide at least 24 hours of volunteer service in your community. To remain certified, each year you will need to get 10 hours of additional training and volunteer a minimum of 24 hours.

For more information on becoming a MGV, contact Joe Bollman at Columbia County UW-Extension: (608) 742-9682 or joe.bollman@ces.uwex.edu

***For all the other fantastic recipes made at the 2010 Savor & Sample Festival visit the Columbia County Extension Website: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/columbia/

I have some sad news - Frank's dad (Jared's Grandpa) passed away last Wednesday. We will still be maintaining our current hours thanks to the help of family and friends, but none of the familiar faces you usually see will be here on Wednesday, September 29, from 4 pm to closing and Thursday, September 30, from 9 am to mid afternoon.  If you can stop at a different time, we'd really appreciate it. If you do stop during those times, please be patient with the wonderful people who will be helping us out. If you'd like bushels on Wednesday or Thursday, please call us ahead of time (608) 635-4780) so we can have them packed for you. (Actually, that's a good idea anytime and will save you a wait.) We will not be at the Waunakee Farmer's Market on Wednesday, September 29, but will be back the following week.

Thanks to all of you for your support and understanding during this difficult time.

from the kitchen of:

Apple Country Apple Fritters

1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup finely diced, peeled, cored apple
¼ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
3 Tablespoons orange juice
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
Oil for deep frying
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

In a mixing bowl combine egg, milk, apple, sugar, salt, orange peel, orange juice, and vanilla. Sift together the flour and baking powder and fold into the egg mixture stirring just until all the flour is moistened. Drop batter by rounded teaspoonfuls into deep hot oil (365 degrees). Fry until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes, turning once. Drain fritters thoroughly then roll in mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Serve warm drizzled with maple syrup.

***For all the other fantastic recipes made at the 2010 Savor & Sample Festival visit the Columbia County Extension Website: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/columbia/

Yes, the rumor’s are true.  Our Honeycrisp have all sold out for the season.  Combined with the early ripening date, the fewer bushels of apples from our trees and their huge popularity, honeycrisp had a short lived season this year.

If the honeycrisp are all gone why on earth would you still visit the orchard!?  Well, we do happen to group 42 other varieties  of delicious apples too!  I wanted to tell you about a few that you should try out if you are a Honecrisp lover…

Jonagold – this is the apple that most Honeycrisp eaters go to after the Honeycrisp season is done.  

Firm, crackling, juicy, slightly tart, flesh. Superb, rich, full flavor. Finest dessert and eating quality. Good cooking properties. Will store in common refrigerator for 3 months. Jonathan x Golden Delicious cross.

Cameo – a sweeter alternative than the Jonagold.  This apple is slow to brown after being cut which is fantastic for school lunches!

Firm and crisp with a highly appealing subacid, aromatic flavor. Creamy white flesh doesn't brown when cut. Possibly Red Delicious x Golden Delicious found growing in Washington state.

Fireside – another sweeter alternative – if one of your favorite things about the Honeycrisp was there size – this is a great apple for you!

Very large fruit with sweet, pleasant flavor and fine-grained flesh good for fresh eating, salad, and baked apples. Good storage life. McIntosh x Longfield cross released by the University of Minnesota in 1943.

These are just three examples of some fantastic apples we have available still in our shop.  Feel free to ask for a sample (or two, or three) the next time your in.  We want you to go home happy!

The other weekend a really neat looking car was parked in our lot.  I had to turn the register over to Diane for just a few minutes so I could snap some pictures:You don’t see one like this everyday.    

I’ve been asked by many for recipes from the food demonstrations at this year’s 2010 Savor & Sample Festival.  I’m finally getting to posting some.  If you can’t wait for the others go directly to the Columbia County Extension Website:  http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/columbia/

Apple Pie Burritos*
Ardyce Piehl
Taste of Home
Field Editor

Ingredients:
8 Flour Tortillas (9 inch)**
1 – quart jar of apple pie filling (I used Lapacek’s “Apple Pie in a Jar”)
2 Tablespoons Butter, divided (I start with 1 Tablespoon and add as needed
when I am browning them)
Cinnamon Sugar***

Instructions – For each burrito:
1. Place tortilla on a plate and spoon ¼ Cup of apple pie filling down the center of the tortilla.
2. Fold in edges and then fold over top and bottom to hold the pie filling inside, burrito style. Repeat for each tortilla.
3. Heat one Tablespoon butter over medium heat in an electric skillet (approx. 300 °) or in a pan on the stovetop.
4. Place the burritos in the pan, fold side down and brown for 1-2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Turn the burritos over and repeat browning on the other side.
5. Remove from pan and sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar.

*Try this recipe with other seasonal fresh fruits like peeled and thinly sliced peaches, pears and apples. With fresh apples, add two unwrapped caramels before folding/browning. Try sprinkling with brown sugar and cinnamon for a change!

**Note: Any size flour tortilla may be substituted. Adjust amount of pie filling accordingly.

***Make your own Cinnamon Sugar by mixing ½ Cup granulated sugar and 4 teaspoons of Cinnamon—can add more or less to taste!

17 day old, Baby Blake, slept through his first visit to Lapacek’s Orchard.  What a little angel!