American Pie

One of the things I thoroughly enjoy about America is their tradition, and the support thereof. Sure, we have holidays, and traditions, most are celebrated by the majority, but others by the minority, partly justifiable to ethnicity differences in our rainbow nation, but other parts disappointingly lacking because of enthusiasm and support. Due to the vast changes in seasons, seasonal traditions are more prominent here in the states. One such season would be apple season, which also falls under the pumpkin season that forges the Halloween famous for its Jack-O-Lanterns. Unequipped for mud and rain like the rest of the gumboot community, I was encouraged to wear takkies, (sneakers) much to my social status scolding. A 20 minute drive to Silverman farms, where people as far as New York come to play, busy and buzzing. As part of our monthly cluster meeting, we were sponsored the $8 bag for apple picking, stood in line together as a family and waited to board the tractor for the ride through the orchard and to the drop off. The kids loved the bumpy dirt roads as the driver was anything but conservative.

 

Hopping off, we were given a brief rundown on the do’s and don’ts and were free to roam the trees and bite into apples as we please, warned of the repercussions of one too many. Bags full, we were back in line for the tractor ride back to the festival. Candy apples were enjoyed by the kids, 100% apple cider was a big hit, not only for us but for the copious amounts of bees. Picking our pumpkins was the next big step, being kids, competition in full force, the biggest was of course the best, watching them struggle as they attempted to lift pumpkins bigger than their own body mass proved persistence. Joe had the wheelbarrow and was picking on a more appearance based spectrum rather than size, and picked one that was inbred.

 

 Wheelbarrow full, it was time to head home to dice our apples and make one badass apple pie that was thoroughly devoured with whipped cream. Apple pie, America’s favourite pie, DONE !