I woke up on Sunday, knowing that the apples had to be picked. Collecting windfalls is one thing, but I’d looked up. I knew. There were an amazing number of big apples hanging from the branches. They needed to come down.
So I challenged the children. A barrow or two of apples.
I love their enthusiasm. They were out and busy, before I could get my boots on to join them. (The Teen was out seeing a friend) They picked the lower ones first, then climbed the tree to pick the next layer of apples. After that, we needed the apple cropping contraption.
In between, they found the rakes and started raking up the leaves. Without being asked to do it. How thoughtful. Soon a big pile of leaves was mounting up. I began to wonder where to put the leaves. Images of composted leaves to nourish the soil next year.
All the time, they kept on raking.
I should have been suspicious.
Before I knew what was happening, they were giggling and lining up. I just had time to grab my camera.
And just like that, the pile was gone.
They did fill the wheelbarrow with apples. I couldn’t be disappointed as that was the challenge. Added bonus. I can put off thinking about where to store the leaves, for a while.
Now I need to work my way through the contents of the wheelbarrow and make more pie and puree for the freezer. Maybe I can send them up to collect a few more apples after school today.
6 ideas for making the most of your apple glut
If you have a glut of apples too, here are some ideas on what to do with them, other than crumble and pie.
Apple and Cinnamon Christmas decorations
And last, but not least, I would not be without my trusty apple corer
It peels, slices and cores. Lots of time saved.
Apples galore! I have just made a small amount of apple sauce so I could try out my birthday Kilner jars, and have something to put in the cellar store room when it is shortly finished! I have some blanched apples in the freezer ready for pies and I think I’ll be making one at the weekend. You look as if you are having some good weather still.
I love bringing a bag of apple puree out of the freezer in the depths of the winter, to make into crumble or pie. Makes it worth all the preparation.
Oh I so wish I had an apple tree in my garden I am always envious of people with them. Looks like great fun, and picking leaves – well thats just one of life’s simple pleasures 😉 #CountryKids
I do love my apple trees. Plans to plant a few more. I quite enjoyed helping them to rake. Oh well. We can start again.
What a great activity to do as a family, our orchard’s havn’t fared well this year and we had very few apples to pick. It’s great that the kids were keen to get out and help you pick the harvest, it’s always fab to watch your kids tackle a task you give them head on isn’t it? My kids are much the same when it comes to collecting the leaves with the added bonus of Nick’s leaf blower to use before jumping in the pile!
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
Yes, they’ve reached that stage. Probably had a while ago, but I can ask them to do something like collect apples and I don’t give it a second thought. I knew they would have fun. Leaves are fun. Might not help with gathering them, but I’m happy they had fun!
WOW looks like the kids had a great time in the garden helping with the leaves and apples. I might try that when the rain stops haha. The pie looks amazing.
Coming over from #CountryKids!
I find if I go out to rake and take two rakes, then one of them will turn up to help. Doesn’t always work, but warms my heart when it does.
There is nothing like kids tidying to make more mess. Looks like they did a good job with the apples though 🙂 #CountryKids
No complaints from me!
That is a cool corer/slicer etc. We have a lot of apples from our trees too – at work the glut people brought in got used for an apple crumble bake off one day which was fun. #countrykids
Love the idea of people taking their apple glut into work.
They look like they are having so much fun and what a reward for all their hard work #countrykids
They do love apple pie.
How lovely to have apples in the garden and to get the family together to make the most of them. Delicious! #countrykids
It has become part the rhythm of our year.
Ahaha, I love it! Those wonderful helpers of yours are fantastic! I love the look of that apple pie too! YUM! #countrykids
Much more fun having everyone join in.
That apple pie looks delicious and the leaf jumping/throwing must have been so much fun. What great helpers you have. #CountryKids
They are good. I think they secretly look forward to it.
Loads of fun in the leaves and that apple and dip snack looks fab. Mich x #CountryKids
They love the apple dip. We vary the dip. It always disappears.
Wow, all those apples! I would love an apple tree in the garden but we rent. The lady I look after has a number of fruit trees in her garden though and often lets me head home with a bag full of treats!
I love that they volunteered to clear up the leaves….and then jump in them 😉
#countrykids
I think most people with apple trees are usually eager to share. I drop bags of apples around to friends. I hate the idea of wasting them, although I always leave some for the birds.
Hehe this is amazing, I love the leaf photos, well done catching that at the right time! We have had a lovely couple of months of apples too and I’ve been using them every way I can but there are a few things here I haven’t tried! #CountryKids
A glut of apples is definitely my kind of nice problem! So much you can do with them, as well as the good feeling of sharing them with friends.
That is quite a glut of apples – good job you have lots of ideas for what to do with them all – I struggle beyond apple cake and crumble! Love the photos of your children jumping into the pile of leaves and glad you managed to grab your camera in time to capture it! 🙂 #countrykids
They gave themselves away with all the giggling and whispering. I’m glad I was there to see it.