Comment from dmt1967

Excellent

I like memories like this and can imagine everyone coming together to make Apple Butter. I am not sure I would like it, though, as I don't really like cider lol. Good luck in the contest and thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

Thank you. We did a lot of family oriented things back in those days. It's too bad families no longer spend time together.

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

Oh, I'm soooo envious of you for having had such a wonderful childhood experience like this to share, prettybluebirds. It all sounds like so much fun, from the peeling and coring of all those apples to, telling stories, to roasting marshmallows over the open fire. I'm sure it was a lot of work, but it sure sounds as if it was well worth the effort.
Luckily, my ex-wife's grandmother still makes and cans her own apple butter today, and she includes a love of love in her recipe as well.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story with us all. They way in which it was written, I felt like I was almost there myself.
Good luck to you in the contest.
~Dean

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

Thank you. We didn't consider it work, we loved making apple butter. It was a great family time.

reply by Dean Kuch on 25-Oct-2016

Well, of course it was.
Writing isn't "work" either, per say, but it does take lots of effort.
There's a difference between "work" you love to do, and "work" you're forced to do.
I get that...

Comment from crybry67

Excellent

That was a lovely reminiscence of a special part of your childhood. It was very well told, and we could feel the love. Thank you for sharing this.

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

Thank you. I miss those long ago days. People don't do things like this anymore.

Comment from damommy

Excellent

What a wonderful story about a family's yearly tradition. I'm an only child and never had memories like that. Of course, I have my own memories.

I always loved canning. Such satisfying work, and I was always proud to look at the pantry lined with fruits and vegetables I had done. I canned everything but meat. LOL.

I love this story. I could feel the love coming through. You should be proud. 8-)

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

Thank you. Our family was large, twelve siblings, but mostly we got along good. Of course, there were times of disagreement but that's normal.

reply by damommy on 25-Oct-2016

Of course, it is. Can't live with anyone and not have squabbles. 8-)

Comment from Matthew Franklin

Excellent

I love this story. This has not so much to do with apple butter, and everything to do with family! The type of activities that involved the whole family, or community have been completely lost in this day and age. With the exception of visiting on holidays, the closeness of large families side by side together is sadly a rare thing. It was a well written description of the love your family shared around a yearly event. But more importantly a story of love and family. Amazing!

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016

Thank you, Matthew. Our family is large. Dad was rather old-fashioned and did things the old way. We didn't even have an indoor bathroom or running water until I was 14. I never missed the modern conveniences and we all were happy.

Comment from ScarBundy

Excellent

This is a heartwarming story about a great family tradition. There are very few things more delicious that the perfect apple butter. I did feel a bit of deja vue while reading though. After your initial, shorter description of peeling the apples and boiling down the cider, it seemed you started describing the process over, with a bit more length. It might behoove you to try to find a way to combine all of the details you want to include in a way that only describes the process once. But I enjoyed this piece very much.

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016

Thank you. The first part is just the recipe itself. The second part is describing the family working together to get the apple butter made. We had a lot of fun.

Comment from sandy montgomery

Excellent

Thank you for letting us tag along on apple butter day. I could smell it cooking and almost taste it on that fresh bread. Mmm! Great descriptive language and really good overall. I think you had a tiny bit that you repeated but other than that well done.

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016

Thank you. The first part is supposed to be the recipe itself but I will revise it a bit so there is not so much repetition. Thanks for your comments.

Comment from Spitfire

Exceptional

Imagine finding the time in our busy schedules to do this today. What a wonderful bonding experience. I remember my Dad making fudge and how carefully he had to watch for the proper consistency. A well-crafted essay that invites the reader into the fun.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016

Thank you. Thanks for the six stars too, they are appreciated. glad you enjoyed the story.

Comment from barkingdog

Excellent

Nothing store-bought beats homemade.
Restaurant food never matches home-cooking.
Times like you tell of in your post are special and as you said 'love' is a special ingredient.
Thank you for sharing your Apple Butter Making Day.

Good luck in the contest.

:) e

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016

Thank you for taking the time to read and review. We had a lot of great times back then.

Comment from foxangie123

Excellent

The answer is yes I am hungry and I can eat me some Apple Butter any day and that us for sure. Love tge artist you picked as well. Excellent job. A first place in my book.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016

Thank you, my friend. We had great times in those days.