Apple Butter Day
The old way of making Apple Butter33 total reviews
Comment from janalma
It's serendipity that you should write of this now. My brother came by a few days ago and asked if he could borrow my copper kettle. A friend was getting ready to make apple butter and had no kettle. He took it, along with the paddle and the stand. I told him to guard it carefully as the old kettles are hard to come by and very, very expensive if you find one.
I thoroughly enjoyed your well written story. It explains well the process, tho we never use cider, only apples, cinnamon sticks, sugar and anise seeds. And, a bit of salt, as we drop peeled apples in salted-water as we peel.
Good essay. I would love to have tasted your apple butter with the cider. Undoubtedly delicious.
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016
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It's serendipity that you should write of this now. My brother came by a few days ago and asked if he could borrow my copper kettle. A friend was getting ready to make apple butter and had no kettle. He took it, along with the paddle and the stand. I told him to guard it carefully as the old kettles are hard to come by and very, very expensive if you find one.
I thoroughly enjoyed your well written story. It explains well the process, tho we never use cider, only apples, cinnamon sticks, sugar and anise seeds. And, a bit of salt, as we drop peeled apples in salted-water as we peel.
Good essay. I would love to have tasted your apple butter with the cider. Undoubtedly delicious.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016
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Thank you. Your comments are interesting. I didn't know anybody made apple butter like this anymore. something about the copper kettle gives it a different taste than manufactured apple butter today.
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My brother brought the kettle back, yesterday. He said that the apple butter his friends made tasted fine, but they didn't really know what they were doing (he wasn't there) and tho it tastes good, it is so thick you can hardly spread it. Lol.
Comment from ajay53
What a great memory for you! What a treat for me - you made me feel as though I was actually there! Thanks for your memory and good luck in the contest!
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016
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What a great memory for you! What a treat for me - you made me feel as though I was actually there! Thanks for your memory and good luck in the contest!
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016
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Thank you. The apple butter today doesn't taste anything like the stuff Dad made. I think the copper kettle gave it a different flavor
Comment from Mary Wakeford
Family traditions are so important and this is a well written piece that explicitly explains the process, but you throw enough family tenderness into the piece throughout the longevity if the writing. My dad was from Maine and loved the rare times he was able to find a decent jar of it. Your writing tells me he wouks have lived your family's brand.
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Family traditions are so important and this is a well written piece that explicitly explains the process, but you throw enough family tenderness into the piece throughout the longevity if the writing. My dad was from Maine and loved the rare times he was able to find a decent jar of it. Your writing tells me he wouks have lived your family's brand.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you, Mary. My dad made the best apple butter in the country. Other folks often coaxed him to make some for them, but I can't remember if he ever did.
Comment from Ulla
Hi there, this is a great entry to the contest. What a lovely story about your father making the most out of the recipe and as you say, he put all his love into it. I enjoyed this read. God luck in the contest. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Hi there, this is a great entry to the contest. What a lovely story about your father making the most out of the recipe and as you say, he put all his love into it. I enjoyed this read. God luck in the contest. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you. We loved apple butter day and looked forward to it every year. I think the tradition has died now. No one makes it anymore.
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Awww, that's a shame!
Comment from Heidi M
What a delightful memory for you! I especially liked the inclusion of 'a clear, crisp October day' and 'gathering of helping hands' in your ingredient list.
Suggestions:
This felt a little awkward 'After Dad had got the fire started and the kettle filled with cider, we began' Possibly change to: 'After Dad started the fire and filled the kettle with cider, we began'
'It [was] wasn't easy,' - delete 'was'
Thanks for sharing this nostalgic story.
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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What a delightful memory for you! I especially liked the inclusion of 'a clear, crisp October day' and 'gathering of helping hands' in your ingredient list.
Suggestions:
This felt a little awkward 'After Dad had got the fire started and the kettle filled with cider, we began' Possibly change to: 'After Dad started the fire and filled the kettle with cider, we began'
'It [was] wasn't easy,' - delete 'was'
Thanks for sharing this nostalgic story.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you, Heidi. I will edit and take your suggestions. I thought that one part sounded awkward too. Thanks for the other catch too.
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
the best part of this piece is the memory of doing as a family which it seems now has fallen by the wayside.
Excellently written, no problems noted and no corrections to be made.
It was a great trip down memory lane and great to share with you
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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the best part of this piece is the memory of doing as a family which it seems now has fallen by the wayside.
Excellently written, no problems noted and no corrections to be made.
It was a great trip down memory lane and great to share with you
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you. We had a lot of fun doing things like that together. My family was very close and there were a lot of us. Seven boys and five girls.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
What a lovely nostalgic story. I do enjoy taking my mind back to times gone by. It really sounded a wonderful day you all had back then. I've never tried, or heard of apple butter, I've never seen it in our shops, UK, but I'm wondering if I condensed your recipe down, I might be able to have a go at making it. Might, being the word I don't use lightly!! I did enjoy your memory of times gone by. :) Sandra
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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What a lovely nostalgic story. I do enjoy taking my mind back to times gone by. It really sounded a wonderful day you all had back then. I've never tried, or heard of apple butter, I've never seen it in our shops, UK, but I'm wondering if I condensed your recipe down, I might be able to have a go at making it. Might, being the word I don't use lightly!! I did enjoy your memory of times gone by. :) Sandra
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you. Here in the U.S, they sell apple butter in the grocery stores but it doesn't taste like Dad's.
Comment from giraffmang
Hi there,
this is a very well written piece. i'd never heard of apple butter before, but it does sound nice. We don't really have stuff like that over here.
Good entry for the competition.
All the best
GMG
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Hi there,
this is a very well written piece. i'd never heard of apple butter before, but it does sound nice. We don't really have stuff like that over here.
Good entry for the competition.
All the best
GMG
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you. Where is over here? I live in the U.S and there has always been apple butter since the beginning of my time.
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I live in Northern Ireland and the UK
Comment from RodG
Your story makes me wish I had been there to participate in this great tradition. Today I buy apple butter when we go apple picking at orchards 20-30 miles away. I really like how you describe the ritual IN DETAIL in the second half of your essay. Much of your introduction seems to be repeated in the actual narrative that begins: "Today, sixty-some years later . . ." Edit some of the redundancy and you will have a superb entry.
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Your story makes me wish I had been there to participate in this great tradition. Today I buy apple butter when we go apple picking at orchards 20-30 miles away. I really like how you describe the ritual IN DETAIL in the second half of your essay. Much of your introduction seems to be repeated in the actual narrative that begins: "Today, sixty-some years later . . ." Edit some of the redundancy and you will have a superb entry.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you. The first part is the actual recipe. The second part is how all of us participated in making the apple butter.
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There are about four short paragraphs after the recipe that I think could be edited. Otherwise well done.
Comment from BeasPeas
It's my pleasure to award you the first of my weekly six stars. Your apple butter story is terrific. Well written, clear, interesting, informative. It recalls a wonderful childhood memory with your entire family joining in. Your dad was quite a guy for his dedication to this ritual. Great job. Marilyn
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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It's my pleasure to award you the first of my weekly six stars. Your apple butter story is terrific. Well written, clear, interesting, informative. It recalls a wonderful childhood memory with your entire family joining in. Your dad was quite a guy for his dedication to this ritual. Great job. Marilyn
Comment Written 23-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016
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Thank you. Dad WAS quite a guy. We all loved him and enjoyed times like this with him.
