Friday, January 7, 2011

Who's That Lady?








We were in Whole Foods this week, and I spied a bin of these teeny tiny apples. I had never seen the like, and could hardly believe they were apples. Of course I had to buy a few, especially since the girls just love tiny things. Back home, I did some research. I discovered these are called Lady Apples. They are the oldest apple variety and date back about 2,000 years. After the Civil War, Americans shipped them to England, and the English paid a tremendous price for them. Thoreau grew them. They ripen around Thanksgiving and last through January, and people love using them to make wreaths. This was all news to me. I gave Ella the first one at lunch time. She was enchanted with it, but as you can see, she found it too hard to bite. Yes, they were very hard, a disappointment for her. I had told her these are called Lady Apples. Later in the day, I asked if she remembered the name, and she said "Woman Apples"! Too funny. We are the apple of God's eye, and that is NOT a small thing.

"I call on you, O God, and you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings..."
Psalm 17

35 comments:

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Never heard of the apples, but they and the little girl are both cute.

Darryl and Ruth : )

Annie Jeffries said...

How DO you do that, Ginny, matching scripture with your post? I vow - you MUST google a word (like apple) and a verse pops up. OR - do you just know scripture?

Joyful said...

I love the new header. It is quite whimsical.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Apples are wonderful in that they keep so well..I imagine they did many things with them and I'm sure you could put them in a wreath as we used to string pop corn for our tree..not here boy- we'd have every critter poking their heads out! Enjoyed your woman apples..

SquirrelQueen said...

Those are tiny little apples, I've never heard of Lady apples. Thanks for the info. Ella looks like she is really trying but can't quite bit through.

You asked about my reviews. They offer me two gift certificate, one for each of my blogs. I can either use them for giveaways or buy something and do a review. I choose to do one giveaway and one review each time. It has been a lot of fun and I get to keep the items I review.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, I love the tiny apples. It is just the right size for Ella but apparently too hard. Very nice scripture also. Wishing you a nice weekend.

Many years ago, I visited colonial Williamsburg at Christmas and remember centerpieces for the tables made with these apples.

Anonymous said...

So interesting to know the story behind these tiny apples.As for the bite..Ella's expression says it all. So 'apple of your eye' comes from this verse! Glad you included them.

Arti said...

I had come across small apples during one of my recent trips... Will post about it later...
The pics are great, pity the apples were too hard... Ella looks very cute!!
Have a lovely weekend :)

Nature Rambles said...

Ginny, it's me again! The golden bug on my blog is the Golden Tortoise Beetle. I thought someone's gold-coloured trinket had fallen on a leaf when I first saw it. I ran for the camera and took some shots. Then it flew away. I've only seen it twice on my plants so far.

Kanak

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I have never heard of these before but I have had a pink lady apple before. They are more normal size and they are delicious.
And, indeed it is no small thing to be the apple of God's eye. The trick is to keep God as the apple of our eyes.

Ann said...

How cute they are. I've never heard of these. I just love the look on Ella's face when she's trying to bite that apple.
This post is just full of cuteness

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Just coming back to let you know I've been sitting at the computer singing Whose that Lady for about an hour now...I'm hoping that I will stop thinking about that song very soon. Thanks ;)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Ginny, I've never seen those tiny apples... They are cute --and I can see why they'd be good for decorating... Sorry they are not eatable though... I'm sure that Ella gave it her best shot though.... ha

We have LOTS of snow up here this morning. Glad we don't have to get out!!!! It's pretty and the birds are feasting at the feeders and bath.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

MadSnapper said...

they are tiny, i like tiny things to. so are they edible? can they be cooked soft? ella bella is trying and looks so cute doing it. never heard of or seen these before. i like tiny things to, anything minature. maybe because i am NOT... ha ha in ky there were little green apples, sour to the taste but i loved them. don't think they were as small as these

From the Kitchen said...

I love Ella's expression after, apparently, a good attempt at biting into that apple!

Best,
Bonnie

Stephanie V said...

Poor Ella! I hope she wasn't too disappointed in those tot-sized apples.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Thanks for the info on these cute apples. You have a cutie eating them also!

Kerrie said...

How interesting! They look like the ones on our stunted apple tree in the back yard when we were kids! They never grew any bigger than that. Fun post, hugs

Melanie said...

I've never heard of those before, but they're so cute, as is little Ella there.
I remember when Katie was that age. You never knew what she might say!
Have a great weekend.♥

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, At first I thought you had photographed Crab Apples! I have never tasted one of these little apples such as you have shown - I think, like you note, that they would be tough and perhaps a bit bitter. Maybe grown in historical times for animal feed or cider? Have a super day today!

Lady Jane said...

Love the apples. Am thinking of ways to create with them as I type, lol... Love the look captured on Ellas face trying to bite the apple, lol....

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a great post, Ginny. Lady apples are not always available her. The perplexed look on the little one's face is rare. I hope you both had a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

DawnTreader said...

My first thought from the header picture was oh my, does she have big hands... Haha... Do these lady apples taste like ordinary apples except that they are hard?

Fred Alton said...

I confess. I have never heard of "Lady Apples". Don't think I've ever seen one either. Were they tasty? Or like Ella found them, hard to bite?

Mom Daughter Style said...

those are cute apples being eaten by cute Ella. My family likes apples, i think it is the most fruit that we buy.

Tracy said...

Goodness, I've never seen those little things. Ella's expression is precious; both girls are lovely!
Isn't it comforting to know we are the apple of God's eye?

LV said...

Very good information on the little apples. At least, I will know more about them if I see them in our stores.

Deborah said...

Very cute! I never saw such small apples either! Your granddaughter is adorable. :)
Have a nice day my friend.
xxoo
Deborah

George said...

I've not heard of Lady Apples before. The picture of Ella trying to eat one is precious.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I've seen lady Apples but never tasted them. I wonder if they are meant to be baked or stewed?

Bobbie said...

Ella's so precious. It looks like she's having a tough time biting into her cute little apple. When I was little my siblings and I would often be found in our neighbors back yard up in her apple tree. We'd take a salt shaker along... and feast on the little hard green apples, then later mom would wonder why we had bathroom issues... lol. This post brought back that remembrance.

Chatty Crone said...

I have never heard of them either - but I love Whole Foods. sandie

Dawning Inspiration said...

OH that precious little face with that precious expression!

srp said...

The green and red whirled colors would look great in a wreath!!

Doris Sturm said...

I wonder what they taste like...back in Germany when I was little (like a hundred years ago) we had little apples like that around Christmas time, but they were totally dark red and the flesh inside was snow white. They had a most unusual flavor, a very distinct aroma...I loved them, but I can't recall the name.

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