Washington Apples

This morning we went to WSU's Orchard to buy some freshly picked apples. WSU experiments with various kinds of apples, and throughout the season, they sell 80-some varieties of apples! There were probably 20 varieties for sale this morning. The apples are already picked and range in price from $0.35/lb for "juice" apples to $1.55/lb for Gingergold apples. There is even a table where you can sample a slice of each type of apple that is for sale. We purchased a few of the Gingergold apples, which are very, very sweet, and a few Harlson apples, which are not quite as tart as Granny Smiths. They will be having the sale every weekend until Thanksgiving, so I anticipate lots of apple dishes in the near future. Dutch apple pancake, apple cinnamon muffins, apple pie, apple cake, apple bread, cooked apples, apple sauce. I'm trying to keep the doctor away for quite some time. WSU also has quite a few different types of pears, some peaches, plums, and potatoes. Of course... I took some pictures while we were there.

Sunday afternoon, I made an apple pie using my gluten-free crust. This one just had a crumb topping instead of a second layer of crust. I haven't cut into it yet, but it smells delicious!

Martha Stewart's "Crumb Top Apple Pie"

Multitasking. Talking on the phone, while rolling out my pie crust using Greg's water bottle!

After we bought our apples, we drove by the Grizzly Bear Research center to see what the bears were up to. Only two were out playing this time. This first one just sat and scratched his rear for the longest time! It was pretty amusing.


We're expecting cool weather this week. A few days are supposed to be rainy and in the mid-50s. We won't have much of a fall though... there aren't any leaves TO fall!

Labor(filled) Day

Although we cancelled our plans for a camping trip, our Labor Day weekend was plenty busy. We had planned to visit Mt. Spokane for the long weekend, but Greg came down with what may have been swine flu. Eek! We both had some allergy problems due to the recent harvest, but Greg progressively got worse over the weekend. After reading a newspaper article today, I believe that he was one of WSU's many victims of the swine flu. Miraculously, my wimpy immune system is holding strong (knock on every piece of wood in sight)! Greg seems to be on the mend after spending many hours sleeping...with Dixie keeping him company throughout the whole ordeal. Although she never really needs an excuse to nap, she too was healing...from being poked in the eye by Greg's big toe! Eww.

Greg did muster up the strength to go to Ferdinand's for ice cream. We had plans of visiting the University orchard with Travis & Shannon. Once we discovered it was closed, it only made sense to swing by Ferdinand's (even though we hadn't even had lunch yet). WSU had their opening home football game this past Saturday, so the place was abuzz!


Shannon & Travis

Cookies & Creme Milkshake. Just what the doctor ordered for a sore throat!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl. Mmm.

Ferdinands distinctive delivery truck.

While Greg and Dixie held the bed down, I worked on making some homemade marinara sauce using tomatoes that Travis grew in our apartment "flower gardens." He has quite the bountiful garden for an apartment-dweller!


Making marinara sauce for lasagna. I found gluten-free lasagna noodles!

Also big news for the weekend...we had to buy a new laptop. After numerous repairs and replacements, our old laptop finally bit the dust. Fall is already approaching here in Pullman. The last few days have been great! Not too hot. Nice breeze. Below are a few shots of the Palouse.



Recently cut wheat fields.

WSU's Big-Horned Sheep