When life gives you apples, make applesauce

The August rains might have washed out your block party, dampened your softball game and forced you to mow the lawn more often than desired, but when you head out to pick apples this fall you'll be thankful for that rain.

"We have a nice crop due to all the rain; the apples have some nice size," said Helga Ziegler of Ziegler Orchard near Hainesville.

Orchard owners throughout northern Illinois echoed her assessment.

"It's the best crop we've had in seven years," said Homestead Orchard owner Don Burda. "The rain, all that rain … it could stop anytime."

Keep in mind that all that rain can make for muddy, squishy conditions at some orchards.

"Don't come out in high heels," Ziegler said. She also warns women to lay off the perfume. "You don't want the insects to think you're a flower."

So when life gives you a bumper crop of apples, turn them into applesauce. We've pulled together a handful of recipes: a classic interpretation, two with tasty add-ins (fresh ginger and cranberries) and a gourmet mix with brandy that cooks in the microwave.

Here's a list of area orchards for your apple-picking pleasure. As you're tossing Galas or JonaMacs into a basket, remember those less fortunate. Support the Giving Garden program and pick an extra pound or two to donate to a local food pantry.

The ripening schedule is subject to change; call ahead to be sure your favorite varieties are available.

All Season Orchard, 14510 Route 176, Woodstock (2½ miles west of Route 47; look for the big red building). Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through October. New varieties available about every two weeks including Gala, Honeycrisp, Cortland McIntosh and Liberty (ready now); Red and Golden Delicious and JonaGold. A half-bushel, about 25 pounds, goes for $25. Minimum purchase half-bushel for every four people. Also u-pick pears, hayrides, petting zoo and picnic area. (815) 338-5637; www.allseasonfarm.com.

Apples on Oak, 16146 Oak Ave., Joliet (three miles north of Route 80 off of Gougar Road). Picking more than 100 varieties ranging from classic baking apples and heirlooms to traditional favorites and new varieties now through the middle of October. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. $1.25 per pound for u-pick. One bushel equals about 40 pounds. (815) 726-0386.

Curran's Apple Farm, 6385 Kilburn Road, Rockford (Route 70 just east of Meridian Road). Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days a week, closed Mondays except Columbus Day. Owners report a great crop this year among the 13 varieties of apples offered this season. Picking begins Saturday and continues through the end of October. Varieties include (in ripening order) McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Empire, Red and Golden Delicious, JonaGold, Northern Spy, Blushing Golden, Rome Beauty and Granny Smith.

Also, raspberries, apple pies, cider, hot dogs and doughnuts and activities for kids are available on weekends, as is a glass-sided bee hive. U-pick apples cost $1.19 per pound; 1-peck minimum. Call (815) 963-7848 or visit www.curransorchard.com.

Gould's Cider Mill, 2S230 Green Road east of Route 47, near Elburn. Offers some 40 varieties of apples, but the orchard as of press time does not know if it will be open for u-pick. If it is, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Sept. 17 through Nov. 19. Prices not yet set. Don't leave without trying the cider made at the orchard's century-old cider mill. (630) 365-2233.

Homestead Orchard, 11802 Charles Road, Woodstock (east of Route 47). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed on Sunday. Fourteen varieties, including McIntosh, Gala, Jonathan, Empire, Golden Delicious and JonaGold. $1.25 per pound. Also u-pick raspberries, pears and rhubarb as well as honey and beeswax candles. (815) 338-7443.

Honey Hill Orchard, 11747 Waterman Road (two miles north of Route 30 on Elm Street/Waterman Road) in Waterman. Early season hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through Sept. 11. Regular season hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan and Honeycrisp in September; Empire, Red and Golden Delicious, JonaGold and many other varieties through the end of October. Also, new bakery, country store, petting zoo and weekend hay rides. Apple prices not available. (815) 264-3337. See Web site for special weekend events; www.honeyhillorchards.com.

Jonamac Orchard, 4403 Twomby Road (three-quarters of a mile south of Malta on South Shabbona Road) in DeKalb County. Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Thanksgiving. Owners report one of the best crops in years. The orchard offers 25-plus varieties including Akane, Mollies Delicious, Ozark Gold, Gala and JonaMac. Prices: $6.50 for 5-pound bag, $11.50 for 10 pounds and $22 for 20 pounds.

Also, weekend hayrides, corn maze, caramel apples, fudge, doughnuts and pies. (815) 825-2158 or www.jonamacorchard.com.

Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park (five miles west of Route 47). Picking 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October (store open daily). $6.50 admission fee per person includes ¼ peck of apples; additional pecks cost $12.95. General ripening as follows: Prima, JonaMac, Gala, Cortland, Spartan, Ozark Gold (early September); Empire, Golden Delicious, Jonathan (later in September); Idared, Rome, Braeburn, Blushing Golden (October). Reduced hours in November. (815) 827-5200 or www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com/apples.

Lang's Orchard, 17411 Secor Road, Woodstock (off Franklinville Road, north of Route 176). 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday beginning Sept. 12. Gala, RubyJon, Honeycrisp and Cortland picking now; Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, JonaGold Red, Braeburn, Blushing Gold, Winesap and Granny Smith after Oct. 7. Growers say there is a beautiful crop this year due to no frost and rain at the right time. Most varieties $10 a peck, $1 per pound. Honeycrisp is $16 a peck. Also, country store with homemade fruit spreads. (815) 568-7547.

More Than Delicious Orchard, corner of Route 120 and Thompson Road in Woodstock. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 21. Offers dozens of varieties of apples and pears in the following ripening order: Sweet Sixteen, Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Lustre Elstar, Cortland, Pippin, Jonathan, JonaGold, Empire, Snow Apple, Golden Delicious, Idared, Northern Spy, Mutsu, Golden Russet, Winesap. The price is $38 a bushel (about 40-42 pounds); half-bushels, pecks and half-pecks also available. (815) 338-2309 or www.morethandelicious.com.

Pine Apple Acres, 41W651 Powers Road, Huntley (one mile north of I-90 from Route 47, then east on Powers Road). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday beginning Friday. Crop appears to be very good this year. $1 per pound; 5-pound minimum. $5 entrance fee per vehicle. (847) 669-3251 or www.pineapple-acres.com.

Royal Oak Farm, 15908 Hebron Road, Harvard (four miles west of Route 47). Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday (breakfast buffet at 8:30 a.m.). More than 20 varieties available as the season progresses; call for variety availability. $12.95 for a peck; $24.95 a half-bushel. Honeycrisp is $19.95 a peck.

Activities for the kids include clowns, storyteller, tepee, pony rides and wagon rides to the orchard. Homemade baked goods, fresh honey, apple pastries and more at the market. Also, u-pick peaches and raspberries. (815) 648-4141, www.royaloakfarmorchard.com.

Woodstock Country Orchard, 17015 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock (north of Route 176 off Franklinville Road). 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A dozen varieties, including Gala, JonaMac and Honeycrisp. UPDATE PRICES $20 a half-bushel. Also u-pick raspberries; homegrown garlic and local honey for sale. (815) 923-4359.

Ziegler's Orchard, 32363 N. Bacon Road (a quarter-mile south of Route 120), two miles west of Hainesville. The orchard will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October. Orchard opens this weekend for McIntosh only; Sept. 15 and 16 for Jonathan and Courtland; and Sept. 22 and 23 for all varieties. Expect to find McIntosh, Fuji, Mutsu, Jonathan, Blushing Gold, Double Red, Banana Apples and Golden Delicious. Price: $1.25 per pound; 5-pound minimum per person. Entrance fee $1 per person (children 3 and younger free).

Jelly, jams, honey, mums and more available in the country store; hayrides for the whole family. (847) 546-1228; owners recommend calling ahead.