Indian Summer: Celebrating the Glories of the Harvest

Dried corn in the fields. Shorter cool nights. Golden leaves. Scarecrows on the porch. And, nothing says fall like the crunch of a crisp locally grown apple.

It’s hard to resist the smell of cinnamon, cloves and other spices found in fall apple dishes. Featured recipes in this issue include: Applesauce, Apple Wontons, Spiced Apple Cupcakes, and Apple Cake with Caramel Icing.

If you are ready to get canning, check out our special canning section on the equipment you’ll need, canning basics, and common remedies. 

Our Iowa bloggers from Nostalgia Farms, share their fall favorites including Apple Crisp a la Mode.

Want to learn more about how to pick apples and which variety is best for cooking? Mrs. Wages relies on our neighbor, Eckert’s Orchards for all things apples! Learn more about this farm and why our own product manager, Laura Strickland often visits. Laura also shares her easy Fried Apple Wonton recipe that she made with the apples she picked with her family.

As the nights cool down, and your kitchen warms up, our artisan, Beth Magnuson at the Feathered Nest at Windy Corner studio in historic Bishop Hill, Illinois, has a delightful dried herb culinary swag made just for your kitchen creations.

From all of us at Mrs. Wages, we’re wishing you the very best in celebrating the glories and blessings of the harvest.

Mrs. Wages' Recipe Box

You'll find perenial favorites as well as new ideas from our Facebook Fans and Twitter Followers here.

Join in on the conversations, share your favorite recipes, show off pictures of your garden ... we do it all on the Mrs. Wages Facebook Fan Page ... and we'd love to have you there with us.

The Mrs. Wages Twitter Feed broadcasts recipes we've collected over the years as well as homespun wisdom as we find it on the web.  Please follow!

Bring the Harvest Home

As the evening temperatures dip and garden herbs reach their maturity, make an herb kitchen swag designed by our own artisan, Beth Magnuson at the Feathered Nest at Windy Corner studio in historic Bishop Hill, Illinois. Settled in 1846 by Swedish immigrants, generations worked side by side to feed themselves from the Midwest prairie and gleaned from nature all they needed to survive and entertain themselves.  Read Step-by-Step instructions

Apple Canning Tips

From apple butter and applesauce to spiced apple rings, your best canning results come from our 40 years of experience. For generations, gardeners have relied on Mrs. Wages canning products, spices, and mixes to bring out the very best in nature’s bounty.

If you are ready to get canning, read our special canning section on the equipment you’ll need, canning basics, and common remedies.

To educate and inspire you, check out the USDA’s Complete Guide to Selecting, Preparing and Canning Fruit. Download here.

Picking Them and Eating Them

by Laura Strickland, Product Manager

Run by the 6th and 7th generation, the three locations of Eckert’s farms are the largest pick-your-own apple orchards in the St. Louis area. A trip to Eckert’s has quickly become the go-to place for my family during the harvest season. We’ve enjoyed fresh strawberries, blackberries, peaches, and most recently apples from Eckert’s pick-your-own farms. Pictured here are my sons Henry (3) and Cedric (4) under a red delicious tree. Go to Mrs. Wages Facebook page for more pictures from the farms. From down-home country cooking to haunted hayrides, this place has a little something for everyone.

Fun and Festivals

Bubbling apple butter in copper kettles, apple cider presses, and tributes to Johnny Appleseed abound at festivals across the US. Check out our top picks for annual apple and harvest festivals and find out where you can take in breathtaking fall foliage, along with traditional homegrown fall comfort food.

Farm to Fork

The glorious fall has found “Farmer Joe” Dennis and “Mr. Ed” Kraklio who hail from Walcott, Iowa. Both have been growing organic fruits and vegetables at Nostalgia Farms since 1998. Joe shares his favorite fall Apple Crisp Recipe with vanilla ice cream, of course.

Celebrate the Harvest with Mrs. Wages:

Come Celebrate with Us:

Special Newsletters
Throughout the growing season, Mrs. Wages invites you to celebrate the harvest. Beginning in July, we'll feature a new vegetable, unique recipes, canning tips, home crafts, and invite you to share your own ideas and memories along with us. To receive the newsletter right in your inbox, sign up here.

Mrs. Wages'
Harvest Celebration Calendar
Here's a quick rundown of what we'll be talking about in future newsletters. Remember, if you have pictures you want to share, join our Facebook Group or Twitter us @MrsWages.

July - Pickles and Peppers
August - Tomatoes and Corn
September - Apples
October - Squash and Pumpkins
November - Meats and Game

Featured Product

Mrs. Wages Fresh Fruit Preserver

Preserves color and flavor in fruits and prevents browning. Makes light, medium or heavy syrup for freezing and canning fresh fruits.

Order Online

Product Coupon

Online:Receive $5 off any purchase of $25 or more. Enter in promo code APPLE2010 at checkout to receive discount. Hurry, this offer expires October 31, 2010, See restrictions below.*

In-store:
Buy any 3 Mrs. Wages item and receive one item free (equal or lesser value). Click here for more details and to print your coupon. See restrictions below.**

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Click here for printable coupon information.