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I am sure you have been very concerned about what we would be doing with those apple we picked last week. You need not worry. We began our apple baking by making applesauce.
Last year, I bought this apple peeler and it has made the process of baking with apples so much easier. For applesauce, we peel our apples (which are simultaneously sliced). We keep peeling until the crockpot is full. I add a bit of cinnamon (no extra sugar is needed when the apples are as sweet as these) and then cook on low for about six hours. After the apples have cooked, I use my hand blender to smooth the applesauce out completely, because Clare will only eat if if there are no apple chunks.
I am sure you have been very concerned about what we would be doing with those apple we picked last week. You need not worry. We began our apple baking by making applesauce.
Last year, I bought this apple peeler and it has made the process of baking with apples so much easier. For applesauce, we peel our apples (which are simultaneously sliced). We keep peeling until the crockpot is full. I add a bit of cinnamon (no extra sugar is needed when the apples are as sweet as these) and then cook on low for about six hours. After the apples have cooked, I use my hand blender to smooth the applesauce out completely, because Clare will only eat if if there are no apple chunks.
Our fall fun was not limited to simply making applesauce this weekend. We decided to spend Sunday afternoon at the Corn Maze in the Plains. The girls were particularly excited because Ryan was able to join us. We aren't usually able to get him this far outside the beltway, especially so close to the tax extension filing deadline. But he wanted to join in on the fun.
The corn maze is substantial. Signs estimate it takes 45 to 60 minutes to get through the maze and that is consistent with our experience. As you will see from the pictures below, each team takes a flag so you can signal for help if you become irretrievably lost. I am happy to say that both this year and last year we managed to find our way out. Along the path, there are posts on which you can color portions of the map. Perhaps more helpful are the questions at these posts. If you select the correct answer, you are told the correct way to proceed from that point.
Following the corn maze, there were lots of farm-friendly activities to entertain the family. We enjoyed a hay ride. Clare and Anne loved the swinging horses. All the girls enjoyed tug-of-war, which became a bit less fair when Ryan joined one of the teams.
We did have a tough ending to the outing when I decided to buy the girls hot apple cider. The cider was a little too hot and it attracted bees. We immediately had two spilled cups and crying girls. I split what remained and let it cool.
Our trip was enhanced by our finishing the audio book of Little House in the Big Woods and moving on to Little House on the Prairie. I am so excited that the girls have reacquainted themselves with the Little House books. We will be doing several Little House-inspired activities this week that I look forward to writing about.
The corn maze is substantial. Signs estimate it takes 45 to 60 minutes to get through the maze and that is consistent with our experience. As you will see from the pictures below, each team takes a flag so you can signal for help if you become irretrievably lost. I am happy to say that both this year and last year we managed to find our way out. Along the path, there are posts on which you can color portions of the map. Perhaps more helpful are the questions at these posts. If you select the correct answer, you are told the correct way to proceed from that point.
Following the corn maze, there were lots of farm-friendly activities to entertain the family. We enjoyed a hay ride. Clare and Anne loved the swinging horses. All the girls enjoyed tug-of-war, which became a bit less fair when Ryan joined one of the teams.
We did have a tough ending to the outing when I decided to buy the girls hot apple cider. The cider was a little too hot and it attracted bees. We immediately had two spilled cups and crying girls. I split what remained and let it cool.
Our trip was enhanced by our finishing the audio book of Little House in the Big Woods and moving on to Little House on the Prairie. I am so excited that the girls have reacquainted themselves with the Little House books. We will be doing several Little House-inspired activities this week that I look forward to writing about.
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