Hello friends, and welcome back to ASW Homestead! 🍎
Every fall, when the leaves turn golden and the air carries that first crisp chill, our family makes a trip up to Ellijay, Georgia, for apple picking. It’s become one of our favorite traditions—the kind that our kids look forward to all year long. We spend the day wandering the orchards, sipping cider, and filling baskets with apples of every shape and size (plus plenty of seconds for preserving). Sticky fingers and laughter drifting through the trees—it’s a glimpse of simple joy that keeps us coming back year after year.
Though we don’t have producing apple trees here on the new homestead, this yearly harvest trip has become our way of stocking the pantry, filling the oven with warm baked treats, and sharing God’s abundance with family, friends, and neighbors. What follows that orchard visit is always the same—a flurry of canning, baking, and giving. And truthfully? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Apple picking is more than just gathering fruit—it’s a way to reconnect with the land, with each other, and with the Creator who made it all. We take time to walk through the rows of trees, to teach our kids how to tell which apples are ripe, and to enjoy the simple pleasure of working together as a family.
There’s beauty in collecting the imperfect, too. We always buy a large quantity of “seconds”—the slightly bruised or misshapen apples sold at a discount. They may not be pretty, but they’re perfect for what comes next.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8
Once we’re home, the real work begins. Our kitchen fills with the aroma of cinnamon and simmering fruit as we peel, chop, cook, and can. Apple preserving has become a beloved fall ritual.
Our favorites include:
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Tips for preserving apples:
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Preserving apples is more than putting food on the shelf. It’s about gratitude for the harvest and preparing to nourish our family throughout the months to come.
Once the canning is done (or while it’s simmering on the stove), we shift to baking. There’s nothing quite like the smell of a fresh apple crisp in the oven on a cool evening.
Family favorites:
These aren’t just recipes—they’re family memories. Everyone gets involved in peeling or mixing. And most of all, we gather around the table to enjoy the fruits of our labor together.
“She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family…” – Proverbs 31:15
One of the sweetest parts of our apple harvest is the chance to share it. We often give away jars of apple butter to friends, neighbors, or teachers. We bring an apple crisp to a family who’s had a hard week. We drop off extra seconds to someone who doesn’t have the means to drive up to the mountains themselves.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about generosity. The apples may bruise. The jars may not seal perfectly. But the heart behind the gift speaks volumes.
Ideas for blessing others:
“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
Our homemade apple harvest is more than just food—it’s a season of gathering, gratitude, and generosity. Every jar of applesauce on the shelf, every pie shared with a neighbor, every crisp baked for family dinner reminds me of God’s goodness and provision. Even the bruised apples, when simmered with cinnamon or tucked into a pie crust, become something beautiful.
Whether your apples come from your own backyard trees or a Saturday trip to the mountains, I pray this season reminds you that God can take even the imperfect and make it nourishing. So peel those apples, bake that pie, or give away a jar of apple butter with a handwritten note. Small acts done with love ripple further than we ever imagine.
Happy apple season, friends—may your kitchens smell like cinnamon and your hearts be full of joy. 🍏🍎
Around here, we’re learning as we go—one season, one project, and one lesson at a time. I’m glad you’re along for the journey.
Frugal Living Friday: Giving Tuesday and the Heart of Generosity Home / Frugal Living Friday: Giving Tuesday and the Heart of Generosity Frugal Living Friday:
