Rather than going anywhere this past week (the weather here was just too beautiful to leave!!!), friends came to us. An apple fairy must have visited our trees this spring because, even though the trees had very few blossoms, they are loaded with apples.Sydney (the first gal on the ladder) and Bailey (the second gal on the ladder) had never made apple cider before. So, just in case you never have either, they're going to show you how it's done.
First you pick the apples (dah!), then put them in a garbage can filled with water to wash them (did dunking for apples get started this way?). Throw the apples in the hopper while John (his arm was about ready to fall off when we finished) turns the wheel to chop them into little pieces. Smooth the apples pieces out (almost as good as making mud pies), put the top over the apple mush, and turn the crank to squeeze out the juice. Then, of course, you have to taste it to make sure it's just right. And, if you're really lucky, your grandma (Melody) takes you for a ride in the little red apple wagon.
Later in the day when the grownups come to make cider, a wee bit of wine somehow makes the cranking a whole lot easier (that's Pamme hiding behind the crank). Beware though, this close to Halloween, it just might turn you into a very scary beast! (Actually, that's ugly dog Ed who doesn't like either cider or wine - go figure!)
