No question here - just had a fun day yesterday and wanted to share it. On Tuesday we went up to an orchard in southern Indiana and got lots of apples. For those of you in the Kentuckiana area, the pumpkin fudge at Huber's is out of this world. Did I say I got lots of fudge, too? Anyway, spent yesterday canning apple pie filling and dehydrating apples. Today comes applesauce and apple butter. Maybe some apple/raspberry jam. The best thing of all was buying a cheap (5 bucks) gadget that really worked!! One of those apple peeler/corer/slicer thingamabobs. Saved hours of work and my hands don't ache today from pelling all those apples. Plus, Tuesday night I actually sold all my extra eggs. Been giving them away for two years now and decided I needed to at least cover my feed costs. Nice to have a couple of days when it all comes together pleasantly. Hope all of you have a couple (or more) of those soon!!!!

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), October 05, 2000

Answers

Sounds wonderful! Too often we forget to spend the day on ourselves. The thought of pumpkin fudge is making my mouth water - anything pumpkin is heavenly! Where abouts in KY do you live, and how is it there? That is one of the states on my short list of where to move to when I'm ready to buy my spread. - Enjoy the apples!

-- Julia in Tally (tofubiscuit@excite.com), October 05, 2000.

So where did you get this "cheap (5 bucks) gadget that really worked!! One of those apple peeler/corer/slicer thingamabobs" and how does it work exactly?

Anything that saves time and wear on my hands is welcome.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), October 05, 2000.

Got the peeler at Big Lots, but I'd guess they're at places like Wal- mart, Target, etc. AFter spearing the apple on prongs, I just crank the handle and a loop like a currette peels, and a slicing arm slices while coring. Since it ends up spiral sliced, after I carefully take the apple off its core, I just run a knife through one edge and the slices come apart perfectly.

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), October 05, 2000.

Glynnis: My mom had one of the apple peelers when I was growing up with seven kids and living on a dairy farm boy did she use it I was always so intrigued by those noodley peelings whole buckets full. I have one now but its not as intriguing when your on the working end of the peeler. you can but them just about anywhere its suprizing how many people have never seen one, and have to stand and watch in amazement at the ingeunity. you can almost always find one in those family run hardware stores.

-- ronda (thejohnsons_doty@hotmail.com), October 05, 2000.

Hi Glynnis, I need to know more about the apple peeler. Do you clamp it on the table or counter first? Hand held? Does it work on all sizes of apples. So glad you had a good day and accomplished so much in two. I live in Alaska and we are able to raise several sizes and types of apples here most years. Crab apples seem to always do well, this year is a bumper crop. I made apple jelly, but you can bet I do not peel them! Do you have a brand name on the peeler? Thank you for any information you can offer. Maureen at Ravens Roost

-- Maureen Stevenson (maureen@mtaonline.net), October 11, 2000.

HI GLYNNIS, ARE YOU ENJOYING YOUR APPLE PEELER? MY FAM,ILY ALWAYS LIKE TO WATCH ME USE IT. SOMETIMES THE KIDS HELP ME. THIS IS OUR BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR FOR APPLES. GLAD TO SEE YOUR BACK ON COUNTRYSIDE. ARE YOU STILL READING THE DECORATING MAGAZINES I SENT? GOD BLESS. PRISCILLA FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK.

-- MRS PRISCILLA WILLIAMS (GP83196@AOL.COM), October 12, 2000.