Apple "Jack"

You never know what you're going to find when you bring fruit and produce home, do you?

 It seems I've had a thing with mutant eatables this season- 

first a well-endowed eggplant mama I discovered 

at Mark's Greenhouses earlier this summer (see below)

and now Siamese apples from Williams Orchards! I was getting ready to peel a few fresh Cortlands I'd just purchased to make a pie for hubby's belated birthday gift when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a double-stacked apple just begging to become Apple "Jack"! 

Yes, this did come out of bag of seconds, 

as I would have had to take out a second mortgage

 to purchase the first quality apples this year!

Maybe it was because I had snowmen on my mind 

(it's that time of year for me to be creating them for my shop) that I immediately knew what I had to do.

 (The pie could wait a few more minutes!)

A couple of cloves for the eyes and nose 

(all three entries ran with juice

 as soon as I stuck them- 

OHHHH, my little man is crying.... Mr. Bill!!!!!)

and a piece of star anise for his mouth, 

cinnamon stick arms, an acorn cap, 

and corn husk scarf brought Jack to life. 

Isn't his little iron pail cute, too?

Here he is presiding over my creation 

(before I put on the top crust)- 

most likely NOT with approval, as I had 

to sacrifice several of his relations in my endeavor. 

And just in case you were wondering- 

NO, I hadn't been hitting the applejack

 before I started crafting with the produce.... 

it's just that sometimes one needs to chill out 

and have a little play time, right?