The End of Summer

I can't seem to get enough of these gorgeous late-summer/early-autumn days. They are so beautiful! We've enjoyed a very hot, dry summer, and now, finally the weather is cooling a bit.
But here's the rub! I'm having to spend so much time indoors bottling and preserving summer's bounty, I haven't been able to enjoy it much yet! Tomatoes, plums and apples have been provided by our lush back yard garden for preserving. The apple part has been a bit slow going however, simply because our tree is still a wee thing and learning how to make good fruit. The apples however, are anything but wee! (see below)

Yesterday before church I made an apple pie to die for!! All from our heavenly Jonagold apples! I also used one of my Pie Birds, an old-fashioned pie-making device said to be the secret to perfect apple pie. I must say I believe it is!! My sweet dad, knowing my love of all baking, sent me a set of the birds a while ago, and I am sorry to say, I hadn't tried them until now! Forgot about them actually, up in my kitchen cupboard. They are a ceramic hollow bird-shape, baked into the pie in the center, allowing the steam to escape and preserving the juices inside! "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie..." Below are some photos.

Heavenly tasting too, and so light and high! And now, back to the kitchen. The bounty awaits!