Annual Apple Fest

The weather wasn't great but the rain held off for the most part. Moved into the garage to keep people and food dry. I am thankful for good friends and neighbors. Credit to Kelly for the photos but more importantly being such a great friend helping me out.

Moved into the garage

Uno wanted to see what was going on

Didn't let the weather dampen the fun

Neighbors

Serious conversation

Goofy conversation

Friends

Super friend, Kelly.

Being goofy post-fest

Simple apple pie

Apple Fest - soggy but still fun

The day started with rain then the sun came out then clouds then rain and sun and clouds. All the weather in one afternoon. I was super prepared this year. It helped having the later start of 3pm. I even got the garage ready in case of rain. And we used it.

Had a really good turn out, too. Lots of apple-inspired treats. I didn't get a chance to try everything. I have to figure out a better way to host so I can talk with more guests and eat more. I was so busy and enjoying the event, I forgot to take photos.

Apple cake. I took it out of pan too soon. It broke.

Major favorite. Lil' smokees wrapped in bacon with apples and brown sugar. 

Another use for my Gorilla Cart

A different kind of apple fest

There is a different apple fest than my annual last Sunday in September one. This is the backyard animal apple fest that goes on all fall.

The sparrows eat the apples on the tree and generally leave them there. The wasps eat at the ones the birds have started on.

The squirrels grab some apples from the tree or get the ones on the ground. Slugs eat the ones on the ground. The squirrels place the apples around the yard (see photos below). This year there is a chipmunk living in the backyard. It usually eats the ones on the ground.

There are plenty of apples to go around so I am not concerned with the backyard animal apple fest.

On the fence

On the ladder step

On the top of the ladder

At the front door!

There is probably a Dr. Seuss rhyme in there somewhere.

Apple Fest

Beautiful weather and beautiful friends and neighbors.

It really was a perfect day to be outside. The apples are about two weeks behind this year. I believe there are as many apples as last year but the majority are smaller. And this year the squirrels have gone to town picking and nibbling on many apples. I have been finding them all over and apparently so have my neighbors.

I spent most of Saturday baking and prepping food. It was fun working my assembly line of pie, cake, salsa, lil' smokies, slaw, etc.

There were new attendees as well as tried and true friends. Bunny brought 'a game' that the neighbor boys helped create rules for. Kay encouraged another round of apple bobbing with thanks to Amy for the tub. Dave brought the cutest apple 'dentures' and they were very tasty.

The Vikings' game was at the same time as the party so I set up my tv in the garage. It worked great.

Many neighbors dropped by. I got to meet the new guys from next door and to know more about neighbors I haven't had the opportunity to.

Kay's successful bob.

Me kind of cheating.

Dave's apple dentures.

Dave with his apple dentures.

Michelle, Jon, Amy and Molly watching Vikings' game.

Apple pie - secret is that this was made from last year's frozen apples with a few fresh ones added.

Lil' Smokies wrapped in bacon with brown sugar and apple slices. This was the favorite dish.

Kelly's Best Apple Cake recipe cake. This is also a crowd favorite.

My apple slaw. I like how refreshing this is.

Apple Fest 2014

The Second Annual Apple Fest was held on Sunday, September 28. Good turn out, good food and good fun.

JT and Linda drove their new "old" car... an apple read 1950 Ford... perfect. Apple bobbing was back and a new game, pin-the-stem on the apple. That was Bunny's idea.

It was an amazingly beautiful day. People brought fun and good apple-inspired treats. I made an apple pie and the really good apple cake.

Kay couldn't make it this year so I dived in.

Bunny getting the bobbing bucket ready.

JT and Linda's new "old" car... an apple red Ford!

Christine, Michele and Jon before Michele stepped into the water feature.

Bunny brought pin the stem on the apple.

More photos on my Facebook Apple Fest Album.

First Annual Apple Fest

So many apples...so many friends. My bountiful apple tree was an excuse to have another backyard party.  Great friends and great apple treats including:
-- apple cider marinated chicken skewers,
-- roasted apples and beets
-- apple coleslaw
-- apple pie
-- apple cake
-- apple filo back
-- apple-tini (martini)
-- hard apple cider
And that's just the stuff I made. Kathy brought apple sangria. Jennifer and Michael brought apple-cinnamon bread.  Bud brought apple upside-down cake.  Dave brought homemade vanilla ice-cream.  And more treats from everyone else, too.

Amy and James chilling

Kay really wanted to bob for apples.

Chakra's first apple bobbing

Kaitlin, Ryan and Trish

Kay's apple victory

Loretta give apple bobbing a try