Happy last Sunday of 2012 everyone!  I’m guessing you’ve noticed that I have not been a very diligent blogger for the orchard lately.  I tend to find myself slacking on this blog after apple season but I am going to try really hard from now on to do at least one post on Sunday’s to let you all know what’s going on over here.

Some folks think that we’re only busy over here between August and October but it turns out there’s a lot of work to do in the ‘off season’.  Right now Jared is trudging through the snow so he can prune the 3,000ish apple trees we have.  The guys have lucked out in past years when there wasn’t much snow on the ground.  This year – they’re not so lucky.  They have to haul their chainsaws and pruning shears all around the 20 acre orchard to get the job done.  On the plus side, I’m going to have a very in shape, buff hubby after the next weeks.

Also during off season we try to add a new thing or two to the orchard so each year you can all see that we’re trying to make the place even better for you and your family to visit.  We wouldn’t want you to get bored year after year now would we!?

Well…this season we decided to take on a slightly bigger task than normal.  In October, I headed outside to see what Frank and Diane were discussing by the fairy garden.  Well – it turns out Frank decided it was time to add an addition to the store!  If Frank wants to do it – I’m definitely not going to stand in his way!As soon as we sold out of apples on October 28th, the guys cleared all the gardens out of the area between the two sheds, graded it out and put up the poles to support the addition.  After talking to quite a few contractors to get estimates we decided to go with the Amish again (they helped us put up our other shed addition a few years back before we moved the whole operation to the Kroncke Road location).  They were able to start at the end of November.  The two guys that helped us are farmer’s normally but take time to do carpentry on the side when they need some extra money.  Frank and Jared drove them too and from Amish Country each time they came to work.           The first day they came they were able to put up the trellises for the building portion of the addition.  I was impressed with how quickly it all came together. The next day they came the steel went up on the shed roof.  My dad and Uncle came down that day and framed out our doors and windows for us.   The weekend between Frank and Jared managed to get most of steel on the sides of the addition.  With just two more days work the trellises for the overhang went up and the rest of the steel covering went up too.  Now there is at least an enclosed building for our guys to work on when they’re warming up from pruning or in the evening after the girls go to bed. 

Once the snow melts (or when…) I’ll take pictures of the overhang for you to all see.  We put some thick transparent plastic up so it will be sort of like sky lights instead of just steel.  I think it’s going to be pretty cool.  We did need to maintain our ‘fairy’ feel so our apple fairies don’t get scared away!

If I don’t write again until next Sunday we want to wish you all a Happy New Year!  We look forward to a normal apple season in 2013!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We Wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!  from the Lapacek Family!

fun frame made by Booth 121

Happy Snow Day everyone!  Here is a photo I took of our back deck this morning!  I hope everyone enjoys the snow today and doesn’t have to drive in it!  My plans – put away clothes – both in closets and in boxes for those that don’t fit anymore, get some cooking/baking done for the upcoming holiday festivities, and hmmm…maybe a nap.  Jared is heading outside to make the girls a sled and snowboard hill (yes, Uncle Brian got Cedi a snowboard for her birthday…she’s itching to try it out), work on the new addition to the shed (pictures coming soon), and help me get the house cleaned up for the holidays.  For tonight – finish wrapping presents!

I’m making chili for a holiday get together tomorrow.  Then, for the rest of the celebrations I’m in charge of appetizers and juice for one.  I’m going to make a new cheese dip I just had on Monday, yummy chicken wings, and of course, pickle rolls! 

What food do you make or do you look forward to during the holiday season?

Happy Thanksgiving from the entire Lapacek Family!  We hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday!  

Can’t decide if you want to make a pumpkin pie or an apple pie for tomorrow’s feast?  Try this – a little of both!

Ingredients

1 pie crust – homemade or Pillsbury does a pretty good job too

2 medium apples or 2 cups drained canned apple slices

1 tsp. butter

2 cups pumpkin puree, canned or fresh

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp tsp ground ginger

1.  Preheat oven to 425-degrees.  Grease a 10-inch pie plate.

2.  Roll out the pastry and fit it into the pie plate.  Trim and flute the edges.  Refrigerate.

3.  Peel, core, and cut the apples into slices.  Place in a skillet with the butter, cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and drain.  If you are using canned apples, simply drain and set aside.

4.  Place the pumpkin, cream, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger in a medium-sized mixing bowl.  Beat together until smooth. 

5.  Arrange the apple slices in the bottom of the chilled pastry shell and pour the pumpkin mixture over them.

6.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Reduce oven to 375-degrees and bake for 35-40 minutes longer, or until knife inserted into the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool before serving. 

*TRICK*  If after the allotted cooking time (or even 10 minutes longer) your pie doesn’t seem to be setting – turn your oven off but leave your pie in it.  It will help set the pumpkin without over cooking it. 

I made this for the family and got raving reviews!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Okay – I’m pretty much just going to post some pictures of the Hand Crafted Hoedown for the Holidays here.  I’m exhausted and my list before we open at 9am just keeps getting longer and longer!  Who wants to bring me coffee in the morning?  :)

I took my camera out after dark so I didn’t snap a picture of the beautiful wreaths made by The Paint Farm – I’ll be sure to get one tomorrow! 

Here’s the view you get as you walk into the shop…   This is the stocking stuffer/secret santa table!  Everything on it is $5 or less! Make N Take Ornament station is all set up!  His & Her John Deer aprons :)   And – don’t forget to stop by Cedi and Capri’s table :)  They’ve been working hard making things for the craft sale – my little entrepreneur’s.  When we ask what they’re doing the response is, “Just trying to get rich”.

See you all tomorrow and/or Saturday!  Good Night!

WHEN:

Friday, November 16th from 9am – 6pm

Saturday, November 17th from 9am – 5pm

• A Girl Scout Cookie Booth will be set up on November 17th from 10am to 3pm!