Last week was a treat.
I traveled down to Canby, OR not only to visit my Dad, Lane, and Ashley, but also
to pick blueberries at my friend's blueberry farm.
Miriam is her name, and she has one smokin' blueberry patch.
We picked and picked, and talked and talked. It was great seeing her again.
And check out this GIGANTIC blueberry I found!
How fun is that?!
So, I stayed the night at my parents' and planned on leaving the next morning to head back home, but before I left I strolled through their little orchard and then it happened. My eyes spotted an apple tree...with RIPE apples!
I had completely forgotten that this particular variety, Lodi, was an early ripener. There was no way I was going home that day! Instead, we picked and picked so we could make applesauce.
After canning a couple batches the event became a wee bit boring, so I decided to spice things up.
I asked myself, "Why not add some of my freshly picked blueberries to the sauce? And why not include some boysenberries into the mix while I'm at it??"
And this was born:
But I couldn't stop there, because that got a wee bit boring after a while, too.
So I thought, "Heck--why not make STRIPED applesauce???"
And how about 'polka dots' with blueberries??
Ladies and gents...it is true. I have way too much fun canning fruit.
If you are going to make applesauce this year I highly recommend giving this a try!
You will not regret it!
Oh, and guess what? I won a blue ribbon over the weekend! There was a little arts/crafts/baking/canning contest at a picnic our church hosted and my striped applesauce won first place in the canning division! I was very happy. :) I'm now thinking about entering a couple jars at our local fair.
One more thing before I let you go--just this morning I found out about a very cool website from my cousin. Check it out if you are interested in canning this summer.
It is a wonderful resource!
Until next time...
xo,
Pamela
p.s. Tomorrow we find out if our little baby is a boy or girl! We are very excited. Stay tuned!
Such a great news!
Congratulations on the first place !
These are all beautiful and must-be-delicious canning fruits. I wish I could have a spoonful of these fruits.
How amazing to know canning is such an important and popular part of your daily life of food. You are so fortunate to have a plenty of fruits in everyday life.
Posted by: photojoy | July 27, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Those are great ideas Pam! And congratulations on the first place in the contest. I can't believe you are already finding out what it is going to be? I hope it is a boy, It would be really fun for you guys to experience how fun boys can be too.
Posted by: Jacqueline | July 27, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Third time was the charm for us! We finally got our boy. Sending good vibes your way! :) Also, I'm LOVING the applesauce stripes and I'm a sucker for anything with polka-dots! You are so creative! Can I just say that I love that you won a prize! That's hilarious!
Posted by: Katie | July 27, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Oh I love the stripes! And congrats on winning - hooray for you! I love it, it's really unique.
And oh my gosh - I am excited to hear what your little kidlet will be!!!
Posted by: Dionne C | July 28, 2009 at 06:57 AM
wow, nice work -- who knew you could be so creative with applesauce? haha. i've never canned anything in my life, you should share your recipe :)
Posted by: lyndsey | paper girl | July 28, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Loooove your applesauce! Each jar has such personality, almost too pretty to eat, or even put away in a cupboard.
Next time you're down, make sure to check out the new u-pick peach orchard on Lone Elder just east of Barlow. The price is right, Red Havens should be ripe sometime this week, with Suncrest coming on in about another week. Have you noticed what an amazing, bounteous year it's been in the garden and the local orchards?
I finally took the plunge into learning to use Clear Jel this year, and have been madly putting up low-sugar cobbler filling along with all the jams and straight-pack fruit. :)
Posted by: Susan | July 28, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Congrats! Mmmm...cinnamon applesauce! I just remembered how much I love that homemade!
I bet that raspberry and blueberry is super good!
Ooh, can't wait to hear about the baby!
Posted by: Summer | July 28, 2009 at 02:52 PM
What a fantastic and fun idea. I love the striped applesauce. And I love the jar you have your polka dot applesauce in. I think canning jars are fun. Hmmmm our fair is coming up, this gives me ideas.
and thanks for recommending my site!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | July 28, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Hi Susan! I'm going to check out that peach orchard next week when I visit Canby--thanks so much for letting me know about it! My Mom loved Clear Jel--it sounds like you're getting a lot done!! :)
Posted by: Pamela Susan | August 10, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Hi, it's me again! Do you know what the name of the peach orchard is? I want to head down there soon but want to call ahead to check the price and to see which variety is on.
Thanks!! :)
Posted by: Pamela Susan | August 12, 2009 at 09:58 AM