Yeah!  it’s that time of year again!  It’s time to start thinking about the Holiday’s and finding that ‘perfect’ gift for that special someone.  We have the perfect event coming up in just a few weeks! 

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, Holiday Decoration, Baby Items, Hand-Dyed Clothing, Jewelry, Crocheted Hats, Winter Items, Candles and More!

Also, a Mini Quilt Shop and freshly baked goodies from Lapacek's Orchard!

WHEN:

Friday, November 22nd from 9am-6pm
Saturday, November 23rd from 9am-5pm
***On Saturday, Rock N Wool Winery will be here with wine from 9am to 2pm!  Great for gifts or personal enjoyment!

WHERE:

Lapacek's Orchard
N1959 Kroncke Road
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-4780

Participating Artist

(I will continue to expand this list as I hear from more folks)

Persimon Dreams – quilted and sewn items, pillows,  jewelry, ornaments, christmas trees, and more!
Diane Lapacek – quilted and sewn items, gourds, hand painted items
CJs Eco Chic – Soy Candles
Baskets by Becky – hand woven baskets

Poplin - Cute Items for Kiddo's and Pampering products for women and girls!

The Painted Daisy – upcycled sweater scarves and arm warmers
Dainty Daisies – hair accessories
The Glitter Workshop – assortment of glitter goodies!

Amy R – Coloring books, dolls, crowns, scarves and more
Karol Tomlinson – felted wool mittens
Upcycled Funk – Upcycled random amazing-ness

Charlotte Doro - Felted Wool Slippers
Cheryl S – Olive Forks with Attitude
Rustic Revival - spindle wreath holders, antique trim board christmas trees, chicken wire frames, burlap flower ornaments and plate stands
The Paint Farm – Outdoor Wreaths

Jen G – Handmade soaps – only found at the Handmade Hoedown for the Holiday’s
Lorra R – Stained Glass Items

Jenny Blasen Pottery – Pottery mugs, buttons, and wee dishes
Casa&Co - hand stamped pillows

Shirley – paper crafts: greeting cards, small gift boxes, gift bags, bows and party favors
Bryn – Girls Clothing and bows
Jane F – Scrabble Tile Jewelry and fun bookmarks
Rae's Handmade - Sewn Items, Cake displays and other fun goodies

Boards by Mike - Handcrafted Cutting Boards
Jim Muttini - Wood Turnings
Lulu's Kupcakes - Handcrafted Lip Balms, Hand Butter, Lip Gloss, Baby Cakes, Baby Butter, and Lavendar Butter
SoL Criations - Yarns, rovings, soap, socks, mittens, blankets, hats, scarves
OnceMoore – Felted  & Hand Knit goodies

KTG Designs – Jewelry
Lori Cox – Primitive Creations

Cedi & Moose Creations

Want to Sell Your Goods?

If you are an artist/crafter interesting in having your goods at the show please stop by the orchard during apple season and show me your goods. It all depends on what I already have scheduled to come – I really try to make it a unique, one-of-a-kind show with a WIDE variety of goods but I’d be happy to check out your stuff!

We had another fantastic Apple-Palooza yesterday.  The weather was gorgeous, we had fifteen pies to munch on, and lots of folks flowed through the orchard throughout the day. 

Many of our customers enjoyed learning more at the Hard Cider Info Booth run by our good friend Jay.  Shaun also shared some wine from Rock N Wool Winery with our customer’s throughout the afternoon.  I’m pretty sure that was a hit!

And for the big event…the Apple Pie Contest!

Monty’s Blue Plate Diner was our incredible sponsor for this day!  They stocked us up with AMAZING prize packages for all to enjoy!  Monty’s – you rock!Our six fabulous judges had their work cut out for them.  The smaller cooler, where we held the event, smelled divine with all those apple pies in there!  Yummy!

Taking home 4th place with her Caramel Apple Pie was Melissa Serwe!Jenna Mood took 3rd place with her ‘French Apple Pie’!Second place was Melissa Fischer with her pie ‘Midwest Traditions’.

And…in first place, winning the grand prize of a Free Pie Every month for a year from Monty’s Blue Plate Diner is Josie Tollaksen with her ‘Apple Pie for your Soul’!

 

Thank you all so much for your support again this year!  What a fun event once again!

This pie looks delicious. This pie smells delicious. I first made it for a work potluck, and then I made it again a week later for my family at Christmas because it was that good. It was so good, in fact, that I had to make it for the orchard's apple pie contest to share with the orchard customers.

This pie may look a bit complicated, but it's easy. If you're scared of making your own pie crust, buy the pre-packaged kind. They work wonderfully. Thanks to Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy for this deliciousness that has converted my non-apple pie loving husband.


Skillet Caramel Apple Pie
6 large apples (about 4 lbs.) peeled, cored and sliced thinly
3 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 stick + 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter (divided)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 pie crusts

Preheat oven to 450˚F. Toss apples with flour, lemon juice and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt 6 Tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup sugar and water. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat, and let the mixture simmer 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, and set aside.

Roll out pie crusts, so they will fit 10-inch skillet. Place bottom crust in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to prepare it for the wrath of a hot skillet. Cut a couple decorative pieces out of the top pie crust to allow steam to vent.

In 10-inch oven-safe skillet, melt remaining butter over medium heat. Once butter is melted, add remaining brown sugar. Stir until sugar is melted, and then remove from heat. Make sure caramel mixture evenly coats the bottom of the pan.

Working quickly, place bottom pie crust into skillet on top of caramel sauce. Fill with apple mixture. Pour half the caramel sauce from the saucepan over the apples. Top pie with remaining crust, and crimp edges to seal. (Be careful not to burn your fingers on the hot skillet.) Drizzle remaining caramel sauce over the pie, without seeping it over the edges.

Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350˚F. Bake an additional 50 to 60 minutes until pie is golden. Cool on a wire rack at least 15 minutes.

Makes 1 decadent pie.

It seemed only fitting to share a pie recipe on the day of the Apple Pie Contest!

Apple-Molasses Pie

From the 1800’s

4 c. sliced apples

1/2 C molasses

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 C. sugar

2 T butter

1/2 t cinnamon

Line a pie plate with pastry and fill with apples.  Cover with sugar, pour on molasses, and dot with butter.  Sprinkle on spices and cover with top crust.  Bake at 375 degrees, 35-40 minutes.

It’s time for me to reveal the AMAZING prizes for this Sunday’s Apple-Palooza Apple Pie and Carved Pumpkin Contest.  I’m sure you can tell by the picture above…it’s going to be a pretty amazing day!

 

I’ve already announce that Monty’s Blue Plate Diner donating the super amazing prize of one free pie every month for a whole year! That is TWELVE FREE Pies for the Apple Pie that is chosen to be the best by our six judges.  

 

Not only has Monty’s generously donated the 12 pies…but the list goes on.  I will randomly draw from the pie entries winners of two different t-shirts and a Blue Plate Diner Cookbook.Two bags of ‘Just Coffee’ from Monty's Blue Plate Diner will also be randomly drawn for!9 randomly drawn winners will also receive coupons for one free coffee and a donut to the diner.  The runner ups of the ‘best apple pie’ will each get a fun pie bird, a gift certificate to Monty’s Blue Plate Diner and a gift certificate to the orchard. Our Grand Prize winner will not only get the 12 pies to Monty’s Blue Plate Diner but they’ll also receive a handmade pie plate and a gift certificate to the orchard. 

The pumpkin voted ‘Best Carved Pumpkin’ will win a certificate for a free coffee and a donut to Monty’s Blue Plate Diner as well as two sets of pumpkin teeth, a set of crazy/weird pumpkin face stickers and a gift certificate to the orchard.

I seriously cannot thank Monty’s Blue Plate Diner enough for being such an amazing supporter of our orchard.  We have enjoyed working on multiple projects with them and hope to continue our partnerships in the future.

 

There are still a few days left to vote in the “Best of Madison” poll…

Monty’s has been nominated in the ‘Kid Friendly’, ‘Breakfast’, and ‘Greasy Spoon’.  Head on over to the voting and show your support!

 

Hope to see you all on Sunday!  Don’t forget to stop in the orchard for the best pie making apples tomorrow!  We’re open 9 to 6!

This is my last attempt to tempt you into making an apple pie for this Sunday’s Pie Contest.  After all this – if you still don’t want to make a pie please feel free to stop by anyway – we’ll be selling the slices for just $1 each after the judging to raise money for the playgrounds at the schools my girls attend.

Sally’s Baking Addition’s Slated Caramel Apple Pie looks AMAZING!

I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

Remember – the only rules for the pie contest are that it has to be a pie and it has to have apples in it…but you can always add other things…

like grapes…

I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

Put it to the test on Sunday…is this really a ‘Blue Ribbon’ Apple Pie?

I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

Seriously.  This is not a joke!The title of this post says it all!  I’m SO EXCITED to share with you all that the amazing sponsor of this years 2013 Apple-Palooza is giving the Grand Prize to the Best Apple Pie made a certificate for A Free Pie Every Month for a Year from Monty’s Blue Plate Diner!  That’s TWELVE Pie’s folks!  Twelve, delicious, mouth watering pies that someone else will make for you to enjoy!  I’m absolutely blown away by this amazing prize! 

 

And this amazing prize is just ONE of the fabulous prizes that will be handed out at Sunday’s big event!  I will be posting a complete prize list by early Saturday morning so be sure to stop on back to see the rest of the prizes!

Here is another inspiration pie for you all…

Caramel, Cider + Cinnamon Apple Pie from ‘So Very Us’ is just stunning! 
What other shaped cookie cutters could you use to make your pie crust unique?
I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

I hope you spent your weekend practicing the pie you would make for this week’s Apple-Palooza…but if you didn’t – no worries, I’m going to keep inspiring you until you can’t resist anymore!

Fleur-De-licious’s Brown Butter Bourbon Apple Pie has my mouth watering!

I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

Holiday Applesauce Cake

1 C. shortening

2 C. sugar

2 C. applesauce

1 egg

4 C. flour

1 tsp (rounded) baking soda mixed in 1/4 C. hot water

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 C. broken nuts

2 C. orange slice candy (cut up)

 

Cream shortening and sugar.  Add applesauce, egg and soda.  Mix dry ingredients.  Pour some of the dry mixture over nuts and candy and mix well.  Add to first mixture.  Bake 1 hour in greased 9x13-inch pan at 325.  Nice holiday cake!

Who is busy preparing for the Apple Pie contest next weekend?  Here’s your daily ‘Pie-spiration!’

 

Eugenie Kitchen shared her amazing ‘Rose Apple Pie’ – absolutely stunning!

I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

Here’s the second Apple Pie that I found to inspire you….

This pie from Food is My Love Language would definitely be in the running for the ‘Prettiest’ or ‘Most Creative’ Apple Pie Award…

I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

Apple Pie with Caramel and Goat Cheese

I have a started a Pinterest Board – Apple Pie Ideas for Apple-Palooza at Lapacek’s Orchard - to help inspire you all to create a fabulous Pie for the Apple-Palooza Apple Pie Contest in just over a week!  I’ll try to post a few of these directly to the blog so you can really be inspired.  This weekend looks like it’s going to be pretty cold out – a great time to make your practice pie!  Stop on in to get your apples and put together the winning combination!

It’s time to announce the Judges for this year’s Apple-Palooza!  Sorry to keep you all waiting until the end of the day…

 

Returning from the first two years of pie judging…

 

Uncle Bob Lapacek!  Frank’s brother and Jared’s Uncle – Lover of all things sweet, dessert-like and of course – Pie!

Alan Otto – Capri’s godfather, a good friend of ours and a pie eater for the past 34 years!

 

And – now to announce who won the public hearts…

332 votes were cast… and the top four contenders and 2013 pie judges are….

Apple Pie Judge #1! 

(with 78 votes…)

Darcy Miller

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

No I have not judged a food contest, however I do have to critic my students on food they make.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I love apple pie and I also  don't think I would ever get sick of apple pie so trying lots of it in a short amount of time sounds like a good plan to me.  I love to bake and have a fairly good idea of what makes a good pie.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

I think of pie making and pie eat both as an art form.  But my favorite part is savoring the taste.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

Since Hector was a pup :)

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

I look for texture, taste, appearance and the feeling that lots of love was put into the pie during the process.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?  Yes

 

Apple Pie Judge #2!

(with 66 votes)

Walker Crawford

 

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

Yes, friends of mine hold a periodic contest. We all cook/bake and then judge each other. And then devour the work of course.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

Because I grew up on a farm enjoying the "fruits" of our labor and I've been making pies myself for the last 20 years.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Honestly, the crust. and more importantly, that point where the crust and the filling meet. The point makes or breaks a pie. I also love the many different tangs and sweetness that can come from a single pie when fruit is involved.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

30+. My maternal grandmother was a wonderful baker and my grandfather her ever faithful pie lover. So there was a lot of pie for dessert.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

I hearty crust and a well-balanced filling that come together in a way that looks good and makes every bite better than the last.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Absolutely. I have no issues telling folks my opinion because I'm always looks for the same from others.

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I think this would be a great deal of fun, mind you, I realize it will also be tough to judge thoughtfully on so many delicious pies. I believe it will be a worthwhile endeavor though and will serve my fellow bakers well.

 

Apple Pie Judge #3!

(with 51 votes)

Trisha Frankland

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

YES! I judged an apple pie contest for the area's Christian women's group about 10 years ago. But for some reason they never invited me back.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I come from a long line of pie bakers and pie eaters. My dad's family is famous for pie: our Priewe family reunions aren't just "bring a dish to pass" - it's "bring a dish AND A PIE or don't even show up." Have you ever had groundcherry pie? Or passed over the normal creamy pumpkin pie for a double-crust sliced pumpkin pie (which tastes kinda like apple)? Well, that's just the tip of the Priewe pie iceberg! You know how graffiti artists have a "tag" they use as a signature? Well, the bakers in my family have been "tagging" their pies for generations with custom vent designs that are as individual as fingerprints and recognizable as the nose on your face.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Umm, the pie part? Sugar and fruit - it doesn't get any better. I'll pass by chocolate anytime but don't let me even near a yummy apple pie if you hope to come away unscathed.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

They say a real lady never reveals her age! And since that's not a concern, I can admit I'm 41 years old. And let's just say I've eaten a lot of pie in my day - in my family, it's one of the first solid foods we give to babies. The hips don't lie.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Tasty crust is imperative - too many otherwise great pies are ruined by bland, pasty crusts that are nothing but a carrier for the luscious fillings. How many times have you seen otherwise-empty plates with a leftover pie rind? Too many! Why waste that space when you could make it YUMMY too?!?

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Probably not - I'm easily purchased with flattery and gifts. But I'm also extremely opinionated and know my own mind - just ask me, and you'll see.

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I think pie baking is an endangered art form. I think pie eating is an under-rated hobby. And I think you should agree with everything I say.

 

AND…last but not least…

 

Apple Pie Judge #4!

(with 46 votes)

Neil Stechschulte

nominated by his lovely wife!

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

He has never been a pie judge before but he’s taken a lot of photos of pie contests.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

He’s a fantastic judge of flavors and textures.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Neil loves EVERYTHING about pie.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

Neil has eaten pie for 41 glorious years.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Neil always looks for a pretty pie, but in the end, when it comes down to it, if a pie tastes good going down, he’s going to be a happy judge.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Neil is the epitome of fair and unbiased.  He would never judge a pie by its maker.

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

Neil dreams about pie in all its forms – apple, pumpkin, cherry, chocolate, strawberry rhubarb, raspberry, or chicken.  There are many times when he will yell “WOMAN, MAKE ME A PIE!”

I hope you will consider NEIL STECHSCHULTE as a judge for Apple-Palooza 2013!

 

Thanks so much for joining in the fun of this year’s Pie Judge Selection!  And thanks to all the folks who entered to be a judge!  I really appreciate all your support in my crazy ideas for this orchard.

If you are interested in baking a pie for the contest please send me an email: {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with your name and pie baking story (if you have one – if you don’t have a story, no worries). Plan on arriving at the orchard by 12:45pm with your pie. Pie viewing and photo’s will take place at 1:00pm and judging will start at 1:30pm.