~ Granny Smith apples ~
The days have been full of apples - drying, eating, freezing, pies, crisps and giving to the sheep. It's a good thing the Granny Smith apple tree is outside the sheep lot or there would be blood shed. Probably mine, seeing as how some of the sheep might tip the scales at 300 pounds! The apples that are smallish or misshapen are thrown over the fence so the sheep get a treat as well; the rest are taken to the house for human consumption. The horses get carrots, not apples, as apples may cause them illness in the way of founder. Please God, not founder; there's been too much of that around here this year.I don't pick the apples but, rather, let them fall to the ground and then gather them. Once Granny Smith, indeed most apples, have been hit with a hard frost, they turn so sweet and drippy with juice. We've not had a hard frost, most unusual, and the apples still have a bit of twang to them. Still delicious and juicy but not quite as sweet as they would have been had frost hit them.
I planted this tree about ten or twelve years ago and it's been a good producer. It should be good for decades and, statistically speaking, will certainly outlive me.
We went on the Paint Lick Ride yesterday and it was glorious! Look for an update later this week and you should plan on going next year; it's well worth the effort even if you don't hike to the top of the mountain.
Blessings ~ apples ~ pies ~ crisps ~ muffins ~ bread ~ drying ~
Grace and Peace,
Sandra
