For 23 years, my family has made apple butter together. It's not as Betty Crocker as it sounds :) There's a lot of work that goes into this day. Apple Butter was my dad's pride and joy. He would start pruning apple trees early in the year, and closer to time, the apples would be picked and taken to be squeezed into cider. The cider is then put into big copper kettles over fires. As it boils down, apples are added. They are cored, peeled and chopped into smaller pieces before they're added. It all cooks all day, with people stirring the apple butter all day. When it has boiled down to where it needs to be, it has made apple butter. We have an assembly line of family members who get all the apple butter from the kettle to the jars. This year we did 3 kettles of apple butter. When my Dad passed away, my brother, John, took over his responsibility on top of his full time job. He has kept this amazing day going for us. On top of the ins and outs of what makes Apple Butter work, we get to spend time together as a family, pray together and eat great food together. It is one of my favorite days of the year. Part of my tradition of Apple Butter Day is going with my brother, Vaughn, to pick up the morning's donuts. We get access to the local grocery store before they open and pick up the donuts for everyone who's there early in the morning. It's a bonding time for us and I look forward to it every year. Next year, someone will have to watch the baby, I guess :)
Just a little insight for you into what is one of the most special days of the year for my family.
If you stop by my house and want a taste, I have a jar. :)
2 comments:
I have been blessed to be not only a part of Apple Butter each year but a part of a wonderful family that understands the importance of these types of traditions and appreciates life in general.
I love the energy and love that you can see and feel when we all gather together and you can actually taste it in the Apple Butter.
I hope we enjoy it for years to come and our grandchildren tell stories about their memories at Apple Butter on the farm.
Thanks Jen for writing about such a wonderful day.
A great day! I think it should be clarified, however, that many people have worked hard together through the past 9 years to keep this tradition going. John has always said that he feels closest to your dad while in the orchards...Thanks to everyone who works hard year-round to bring an enjoyable day to others.
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