I just checked out the weather and it looks like the rain is going to hold off for most of the day!  Which is absolutely fantastic as today is Apple-Palooza!   There is LOTS and LOTS of fun things going on today so be sure to check out the ITINERARY so you don’t miss what’s most important to you!

I’m really excited about our first Apple Pie Baking Contest.  I have a special room all set up for the pies.  In fact – I already had one pie delivered this morning!

Melissa and her son Easton were here bright and early to deliver a delicious looking pie for the contest!

I’ve gotten some great ‘Pie Stories’ from some of the participants too:

Monica Freng shared with me her story,

My apple pie is pretty basic: tart apples, a little sugar n cinnamon, and a double crust using my moms family recipe for crust. We are self proclaimed pie snobs in our family - nothing ever comes close to moms homemade pie, it's always fruit or pumpkin (no chocolate mousse, etc) and it's always better for breakfast. :) we have been known to judge potential spouses by their love of such things. The first time my (now) husband came home with me we were in the kitchen while mom put together pies for Easter. I turned to him and asked, "you DO like pie don't you?" and his responded taken aback, "you might as well ask me if I like good things!"
I am certain that was the moment I knew he was a keeper!

Fred Geisler wrote:

I am planning an entry in your pie baking contest.  As far as my story - my Norwegian grandmother operated a boarding house in North Dakota.  She always made homemade pie and one of my favorites was Dutch apple made with apples from the trees in our back yard.

I’ll have more stories to share along with an update on how everything goes today!

I hope have some time to stop out to see some cider pressed, learn about a new winery, get some good info about making your own hard cider, get a hair feather, check out the pies, get a last minute pumpkin or two…and course stock up on apples!