Our Apple Orchard {& PIE!}

Okay, so maybe it's not our apple orchard, but it's where we pick our own organic apples! This was the second year that we've gone, and we plan on making this a yearly tradition. I shared yesterday about Date Creek Ranch and their yummy beef. Today it's about the apples! We loved visiting the apple orchards while we were stationed in Nebraska, and when we moved home, I thought that was one thing we would be missing out on. Needless to say, we were very excited to see this:

I'm all for seeing where our food comes from, and it doesn't get much better than organic apples for $1/pound!

All of these pictures are from last year. 

Because of course we forgot the camera this time.

 Last year we went toward the end of the season. Our fifty pounds of apples made some yummy pie, applesauce and syrup, but were a little tart to eat fresh. This year we made it up there the first weekend, and that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

 Thirty-seven pounds of delicious apples! I made a small crockpot full of applesauce (peel and quarter the apples and turn on low for six hours or so) for the kids, the rest of the apples that we didn't eat were turned into Dutch Apple Pie! 

Not quite the same as what we bought in Julian, but excellent nonetheless.

Dutch Apple Pie

Crust: 

1 1/2 c. flour

1 T. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. oil (I prefer coconut, but whatever floats your boat)

2 T. milk

Mix together and press into pie pan.

Filling:

6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/2 c. sugar

1 T. flour

Dump sugar and flour over the apple slices and mix gently. Pour into pie pan.

Topping:

1 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter

Mix flour and sugar, then cut in butter until it's crumbly. Bake at 375 for about an hour or until a knife slides in easily. Best served with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream, preferably homemade.

Picking our own organic apples works for me!

WFMW: Vacation on the CHEAP!

This summer we finally took a real vacation! We spent 5 days and 4 nights in San Diego County. My parents, 2 of my sisters, Hubby, Sissy, Bubba, Budders, Baby F, a friend who hitched a ride to see his grandparents, and myself all piled (with our bags!) into our 12-passenger van, and headed west.  So I ask, how many hotel rooms to you have to rent for 4 adults, 2 teens and 4 kids?! Our answer: zero!

I was overwhelmed and frustrated when I checked into the cost of hotel rooms or vacation condos in San Diego. Not in our budget! Fortunately, I knew where to look: vrbo.com. Instead of just searching near the attractions, I searched all of San Diego County, and found a great deal in the quaint town of Julian, CA. We rented a 3 bedroom house (with pull-out beds in the loft and living area, as well as a half-bath/laundry room perfect for Baby F's pack'n'play) for much less than we would have spent on hotel rooms! We also saved money cooking our own meals in the fully-stocked kitchen instead of eating out. We enjoyed exploring the 15 acre property, playing on the playground, and exploring downtown Julian, known for their delicious apple pie. And we only had about an hour drive to the beach and Sea World! For a large family on a budget, Vacation Rentals by Owner works for me!

Sissy & Bubba playing on the playground near the house

Hubby searching by the creek for berries

My boys panning for gold

Swinging with Sis

Gold panning with Daddy--pans were provided 

Grandpa helping Bubs pan