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/