Apple tree pruning

Finally got around to pruning the backyard apple tree. I don't remember if I've ever done a major pruning.

Using old running medals as wind chimes and to try to keep the birds away.

Before

Trimmings

After

Apple blossoms

Decided the apple trim needed trimming if for no other reason that I couldn't walk by it to the rest of the garden. Lots of blossoms this year.

This is the first time I've brought branches in. I might have to do this every year.

Definitely fewer apple blossoms

Perhaps the apple tree is finally taking a break. Hopefully my minimal pruning didn't adversely effect the tree. There are a lot fewer blossoms this year. The benefit may be bigger apples.

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 blossoms

After being concerned all winter about the backyard apple tree, I can rest easy. The apple tree is blossoming. Last Fall the apple tree did not drop its leaves. I was concerned that there was something wrong.

Seeing the beautiful pink blossoms seems to indicate that the tree is doing okay. So go ahead and save the date for Apple Fest 2015...the last Sunday in September.

Apple harvesting

Picked first official 1/4 bushel of apples today. Lots more to come.

The apples are so tight that picking one causes one or two others to fall off.

Apple load

The apple tree is fully loaded again this year.

Apples and vegtables

The apple tree is showing hundreds of apples. The branches continue to droop under the weight and I am trying to support as many as possible.

Also found a squash in the garden. The plant came up on its own so I didn't really know what it would be. The little yellow pear tomatoes are from the front yard experiment. The cucumber is from Amy's garden.