Once again we gathered to squeeze apples and catch up with family, some of whom we don't see very often.
The first thing we do when we arrive at nephew Ben and Ericka's house near Winlock, WA, is eat doughnuts and drink coffee.
Since Tom and I arrived a few minutes later than most, they got to work while I was still enjoying my fritter.My sister Laurie got busy bottling the cider juice. She and I are the matriarchs now that our parent generation and our older sister have passed, and our two brothers and most of their kids now live on the east coast. There were just three generations present this year, no little ones of the 4th generation, and our 3rd generation are all growing up.
These big beautiful apples had to be quartered this year before going into the cider mill. We have two cider presses in the family and both were going steadily as crews switched off.
Father, son, son, father.
There was a big crew so there was plenty of time for visiting.
The apple pulp will go into compost.
The apple supply is getting low.
My grandson Isaac introduced his girl Shala to the family. She loves these new experiences. My brother Hank's daughter Jordan lives here in Olympia, WA and joined us with her fiance Justin. There will be a wedding next fall.
There was plenty of cider for everyone to take home. We were done and cleaned up by 1:00 and then it was time to eat. Pulled pork and salads and lots of desserts were on the menu. Ben and Ericka suppled the main course and the rest was pot luck. We ate well and we all had a good time. After eating we had our annual Rockaway cabin busines meeting. The state of the union is good.
Another famiy cider bee is in the books.
Photos by Tom, Katie, and Linda
Looks like great fun, and such a good-looking family too! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThis is a great family tradition that keeps families together, I hope it continues.
ReplyDeleteAnother cider bee in the memory books. Love seeing all the fun everyone had as they worked.
ReplyDeleteYou have some marvelous traditions in the family. Good company and good food too.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tradition! The apples look so pretty! Isaac has a gal and she is very pretty! Interesting that your niece is getting married in a year...wedding didn't use to take so long to plan, but that seems to be the normal now;)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that this family tradition lives on!! Lots of fun, food, and apple cider💗
ReplyDeleteSo many hands to help with so much work! Wonderful tradition enjoyed by all.
ReplyDeleteYou have the most wonderful family, Linda and I love all your family traditions. Gosh! Where do you get so many apples from and what variety are they?
ReplyDeleteWE get the apples from one of the many apple growers east of the mountains. This year my sister Laurie, her son Ben and his two kids made the trip in his pickup truck. They get a big tote holding 1000lbs. This year the reserved grower canceled out but Laurie found another grower on short notice. Usually the apples are a mixed variety but this year it was just one variety, Rome.
DeleteI agree with Kay. You have the most wonderful family. I enjoyed all the pictures.
ReplyDelete