Last weekend, my mom and I had our annual trip to The Elegant Farmer for caramel apples. You might remember this place from previous years.
This is a trip I always look forward to. We had a perfect, sunny day for this outing. We were greeted by the smiley face barn. There's plenty of food for sale inside.
There's a little scarecrow display between the barn and the caramel apple area. As it turned out, the scarecrow and I had matching shirts. I didn't realize at the time that his mouth was dribbling off his face.
The caramel apples were better than ever! I surprised the girl working there by wanting mine on a stick. I guess that's unusual now? It's a little messier, but that's part of the experience.
Mmm.... I swear there was an apple under there somewhere.
My mom's easier to manage caramel apple:
You guys might remember the electric train that is behind the barn:
This train runs on the last electronic tracks in Wisconsin.
You can see the electric connection above the train. That tiny wheel runs along the wire above.
We should take a ride on this train some day. It looks like the riders get to see some neat scenery going through the woods.
I took this last photo on the ride home. It is a little fuzzy, as I was taking it in a moving car. Still I had to include it. It's just such a wholesome, classic pumpkin stand.
Going to The Elegant Farmer always makes me feel like it's truly October! I'm glad we were able to fit in before the party. The annual Witches' Gathering is happening this Saturday, so I should have lots of photos to share!
Speaking of photos, please send those Halloween costumed photos if you'd like to be part of this year's Halloween blog party! You can send them here: contactartgirl@gmail.com
This is a trip I always look forward to. We had a perfect, sunny day for this outing. We were greeted by the smiley face barn. There's plenty of food for sale inside.
There's a little scarecrow display between the barn and the caramel apple area. As it turned out, the scarecrow and I had matching shirts. I didn't realize at the time that his mouth was dribbling off his face.
The caramel apples were better than ever! I surprised the girl working there by wanting mine on a stick. I guess that's unusual now? It's a little messier, but that's part of the experience.
Mmm.... I swear there was an apple under there somewhere.
My mom's easier to manage caramel apple:
You guys might remember the electric train that is behind the barn:
This train runs on the last electronic tracks in Wisconsin.
You can see the electric connection above the train. That tiny wheel runs along the wire above.
We should take a ride on this train some day. It looks like the riders get to see some neat scenery going through the woods.
I took this last photo on the ride home. It is a little fuzzy, as I was taking it in a moving car. Still I had to include it. It's just such a wholesome, classic pumpkin stand.
Going to The Elegant Farmer always makes me feel like it's truly October! I'm glad we were able to fit in before the party. The annual Witches' Gathering is happening this Saturday, so I should have lots of photos to share!
Speaking of photos, please send those Halloween costumed photos if you'd like to be part of this year's Halloween blog party! You can send them here: contactartgirl@gmail.com
Fun trip!
ReplyDeleteI found out recently, that if you poke a hole in a can of sweetened condensed milk and then boil the can for about 5 hours, you get a can of caramel!
It's a little intense, but good on apples or in a cuppa coffee.
Mantan ~ It was! Wait, you literally boil the stuff while it is still in the can? What are you boiling it over - just a stove top? That is definitely not a process I ever heard of! It sounds like you might have some experience with this. Have you tried boiling condensed milk into caramel?
DeleteI tried making my own caramel apples years back using those little caramel squares. That did not go well! The caramel dries so fast and stringy. I wonder how the melted caramel squares compare to the caramel that results from sweetened condensed milk? I'm also wondering what that stuff tastes like in a cup of coffee. I guess it would be like a caramel flavored coffee?
Yes and yes! I got a can of nice organic sweetened condensed milk, removed the label, punched holes on either side of the can lid using a can opened, and then boiled it in a pan of water on the stovetop. I put a washcloth under the can so that it would be slightly insulated, and It took about 8 hours altogether. You have to keep topping the pan up with water over the course of the cooking.
DeleteIt turned out pretty good, the stuff at the top was fluidy, but the stuff at the bottom of the can was more solid and super delicious.
I'm going to try making it in a crock pot next, and maybe do a dulce de lece pumpkin pie.
Mantan ~ Wow! That sounds like the kind of process where you really need to pay attention to what's going on. No leaving the pan unattended for a few hours. That's cool that your effort was worth it! Where did you find out about making your own caramel this way?
DeleteI think the crock pot idea sounds like a good one. It would be more contained and maybe you could even leave it all day without having to think about it. After all, crock pots are usually simmering with soup, etc. all day. Let me know how that pumpkin pie turns out if you try it! That sounds pretty good.
I knew this post was coming soon!!! I've been looking forward to it! Those caramel apples always look so delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteOur Witch's Tea is this weekend too and I can't wait! I might do an apple/caramel dip sort of thing for ours... this post just reminded me of it! If you want to try it, it's basically cream cheese softened and spread into the bottom of a pan. Crushed up Heath bar sprinked on top of the cream cheese, caramel sauce drizzed over the whole thing and apple slices for dipping. I usually arrange my along the perimeter of the dish and drizzle them with caramel sauce too!!! I'm sure that chopped up peanuts and colorful jimmys would be awesome on it also! Messy and delicious!! Can't wait to see your pictures!!! =) Have fun =)
Heidi ~ Yup! This is a place I always look forward to going to and then blogging about. :) Those yearly blog traditions are fun. The thought that other people are looking forward to these posts makes me happy! The caramel apples were better than ever this year. We had Jonamac apples. They're super juicy. A massive amount of caramel and sprinkles doesn't hurt either. ;)
DeleteHow are your party preparations going? I'm glad to have the invites out and the party mapped out in general. There are still some decorations to decide on. Oh, the caramel apple dip idea could be fun! I've seen pics of that online and I see the dip for sale in the grocery store, but I never made an apple dip tray. I think that would work well with a tea party. Oh, I just read your dip description and that sounds a heck of a lot better than the dip I see at the store! Wow. I could go for some of that right now! Thanks for the recipe!
Is it Carmel Apple time already? Wow, time flys! I have to admit to getting a little hungry looking at these pictures! Nice picture of you to, very gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMatt ~ Yeah! I know what you mean. Somehow we're already in mid-October. It's such a busy month that I'm afraid the rest of it is going to quickly fly by. That's part of why I wanted to go to this place as soon as possible. Now I'm really glad we did. The rain has moved in big time, and we had a beautiful day for this!
DeleteThanks for your compliment on my picture! :) That photo ended up being more coordinated than expected with the double plaid!
There is so much to see and do at this time of year its overwhelming. I still haven't had a good caramel apple yet. Need to send a costume photo. Have fun at the gathering!
ReplyDeleteOld Fashion Halloween ~ Oh, you have no idea how much I understand that comment! It's overwhelming. I'm hoping to fit a lot in by the end of October and even into November. You really have to prioritize! I hope you'll have time to get a caramel apple. Are there any farms or apple/pumpkin stands near you? If push comes to shove, you could always get one pre-made at a candy shop. I've never done that but those apples always look good and chocolately. I think I've seen them at places like Buddy Squirrel.
DeleteI'd love to see your costumed photo! I still need to figure out what I'm going to be for the blog party.
Thanks! I'm getting to the point where I'm a little more prepared for The Witches' Gathering, so now I can look forward to it more myself. :)
That's some apple! The only time I've ever seen them that big or decked out has been at Disney.
ReplyDeleteDex ~ Yeah! This might be the biggest apple I ever had at The Elegant Farmer. I think it's because I was the only person getting one on a stick. The apple dipping girl seemed to have a separate vat for dipping the apples on a stick so the caramel I got was super hot and fresh. That and I think she was making the most of her one apple on a stick dipping opportunity. :) There is a pretty good nut/sprinkle selection there. I just went for it all! I bet you get some pretty neat toppings at Disney World. Probably little Mickey Mouse heads or something! I saw a caramel apple on Pinterest the other day that was shaped entirely like Mickey Mouse. Here's a similar one:
DeleteMickey Caramel Apple
Looks like you can make your own using marshmallows!
Looks like so much fun! Wait people no longer he them on a stick?? How dare they lol! Taking mine kids this weekend for our annual trip.
ReplyDeleteBob ~ It was! Yeah, evidently most people want the less messy, easier to manage cut up apple. Aside from those who wear dentures, I say go for the one on the stick! Kind of the same way I say get ice cream in a cone instead of in a bowl, but I usually see people going with the less messy bowl option. I guess it's just me and the kids getting these treats the old fashioned way!
DeleteWhere are you taking your kids for caramel apples? A farm type situation like this?
This blog post makes me SO homesick. I love the Elegant Farmer.
ReplyDeleteP.S Alessandra and I approve of your caramel apple. I scrolled down to the picture, and I'm pretty sure I started drooling. Alessandra shrieked and reached for the computer screen. ;)
Marisa ~ I bet! The Elegant Farmer is a tradition I really associate with this area. Are you going to be visiting in October? There might be a chance for you to get there yet! Aww! That's so cute. Thinking of Alessandra reaching out for my apple makes me smile!
DeleteThat place looks like fun. I would love to go there someday.
ReplyDeleteJulie ~ It's lots of fun! It's a nice, relaxing day in the country I always look forward to. I know we have a different climate, so there probably aren't many similar farms around you. Still, is there any place sort of like this where you can get a caramel apple?
DeleteMost of the farms with events similar to this are not near where I am currently living. My husband and I plan to move to the east valley and then we will be closer to the farms and fun activities they have every year.
ReplyDeleteJulie ~ That's cool. I hope to see some photos from those events when you go!
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