Every October, I used to take my parents to the National Apple Harvest Festival in Biglerville, Pennsylvania. The festival, which started in the 1950s, became our tradition more than a decade ago and we’d mark our calendars each year. When the day arrived we’d pile into the car and head off into the Pennsylvania countryside, passing numerous farms and apple orchards as well as the Knouse Foods Co-op where all the familiar brands — Musselman’s, Lucky Leaf, and Apple Time — are processed. We’d spend hours walking around and looking at all the crafts, demonstrations, farm equipment, and antique autos.

My dad always made sure that we were there in time for lunch. We’d indulge in pit beef sandwiches, sit on hay bales by the Bluegrass stage, and listen to the music. Dessert was usually a funnel cake, but sometimes we’d splurge and have a second dessert of apple pie a la mode. When the day was over, we’d head back to the car, loaded down with bags of fresh picked apples and jars of warm apple sauce.

Last year was the first time we decided not to go. My parents are now in their late 80s and the long drive and the crowds are too much for them. Our tradition has seemingly come to an end. But coloring this image brought back the aroma of fresh baked apple pie, the sound of bluegrass, and the memories of the fun we had together every year at the festival.

Check out the Instant Gardener team for some added inspiration:

Rhea Weigand
Nancy Sheads (me!)
Cheryl Scrivens
Barbara Walker
And don’t forget the Power Poppy blog!

Supplies

Paper: Neenah Solar White #110; X-PressIt Blending Card; Crimson 6×6 paper pad by American Crafts
Stamp: Apples in Season (*) by Power Poppy
Dies: A2 Matting Basics B by Spellbinders
Copics: YG03, YG17, YG21, YG67, R30, R32 (leaves); RV00, RV02, RV04, RV09, Y15, Signa Unigel pen in white (blossoms); E34, E37, E39 (branches); R30, R32, R35, R37, R39, Y15 (apples); BV00, BV20, BG0000, BG10, B0000, B000, B00 (background)

Items marked with an asterisk (*) were provided by a store or the manufacturer. All other items were personally purchased.