Published: September 26, 2026

Intentional Gatherings

Intentional Gatherings

From childhood apple-peeling memories to the farmers, beekeepers, bakers, and makers of Snohomish County, this reflection celebrates the care behind a thoughtfully set table. Discover why local ingredients and handmade details can turn a simple seasonal meal into an occasion to linger, along with a cardamom- and ginger-spiced old-fashioned apple pie recipe.

How local ingredients create lasting memories.

By Amber Dawn Schultheis

Farming Gathering Food By Hand — Farmer Jerry’s hands, weathered and strong, harvesting late-season rhubarb stalks. Photo by Amber Dawn Schulthei

I remember peeling apples with one of those old-fashioned, counter-fastened peelers at my grandmother’s house. Peeling a Granny Smith in one long, endless strand brought so much joy and satisfaction. As the brightly colored peels piled up on the counter, we would break pieces off in strips, coat them in sugar and a little cinnamon, and gobble them up between turns of rolling out pastry and slicing uniform wedges. I can still imagine the way my grandmother’s house smelled, before Papa’s hard-working hands became soft and when his infectious laugh still filled each room.

Growing up, the produce stands in Washington were abundant with crates of end-of-season fruit. Buying 25 pounds of apples for 50 cents a pound felt like a steal (because it was!) and driving away with a backseat full of aromatic, seasonal bounty was a gift. It also meant a day or two of slowing down, spending meaningful time in the kitchen to the tunes of the local blues station, pausing for a spirited kitchen dance, and sharing a thoughtful drink.

I’ve thought a lot about what makes gatherings special. And while there’s a time and place for store-bought desserts and pre-constructed cheese platters, the intimacy that comes through when a meal is thoughtfully sourced and made by hand with time and care is something that cannot be found in most generic grocery aisles.

Living in Snohomish County means we’re surrounded by people who make extraordinary things with their hands. Farmers wake before sunrise to harvest vegetables and ranchers to herd cattle. Beekeepers bottle honey just miles from our homes. Potters, bakers, and florists all contribute something meaningful to our tables.

My curiosity about farmers and makers is endless, and learning how and why they began farming, potting, or beekeeping has become one of my favorite parts of shopping small. Every product has an origin story, shaped by the hands and heart of the person who made it.

When we source from our neighbors, we also benefit from the story behind the product; we support their dreams and become part of a community rallying behind their efforts. It’s the hand-molded beeswax candles crafted by a Lake Stevens beekeeper, the rustic ceramic platter from the Monroe sculptor who opened an amazing art center so she could make art and help others do the same, and the Snohomish beetroot farmer sharing hand-sketched recipes determined to turn even the biggest skeptics into believers. The intentionality shared among local farmers and makers carries through to our kitchens and dining spaces. It is felt when we bring their treasures into our homes, set the table, and spend time with the people we love.

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When we look for ways to make gatherings feel special in every season of life, locally-sourced ingredients are a wonderful place to start. Let’s take a stroll through a local farm stand or holiday market and let their passion inspire us to imagine a simple, seasonal dinner with a friend or two, and then make it so. And let us remember that when we serve our loved ones food with a story, it’s an invitation to linger a bit longer and to savor the moment. This moment is fleeting.

Peeled and whole green and red apples arranged in a black colander on a wooden board. — The joyful satisfaction of peeling an apple in one long, twirling strip. Apple pie baking is a most certain way to invite
nostalgia in for a visit. Photo by Amber Dawn Schultheis

In thinking about the most memorable meals I’ve had the joy of experiencing, one of the things that stands out as a consistent measure of delight are the scratch-made, hand-made details. Perhaps that’s why I still think about those afternoons spent peeling apples. A reminder that the meals we remember most are rarely the fanciest—they’re the ones prepared with care, shared with intention, and enjoyed around a table where everyone feels truly welcome. Φ

Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Pie with Cardamom & Ginger

(A Variation of Great-Grandma Mary’s Apple Pie Recipe)

Developed by Amber Dawn Schultheis of The Host Notes

Ingredients

2 premade pie crusts
¾ cup Sugar
2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
1 tablespoon Cinnamon
2 teaspoons Cardamom
1 teaspoon Ginger
¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
5-6 cups Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples, combined, peeled and sliced ½ inch thick
1 tablespoon Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
3 tablespoons Butter, unsalted

Instructions

Step 1 – Roll one of the pie crusts into a circle, about 9-inches in diameter, to fit your pie pan. Gently place in the pie pan and set aside.

Step 2 – In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and salt. Spread about ⅓ of the mixture on top of the pastry-lined pie pan.

Step 3 – Arrange the apples in the pie pan in an even layer and sprinkle with the remaining sugar-spice mixture over the top evenly. Drizzle the lemon juice over the apples and dot the top evenly with ½ inch cubes of butter.

Step 4 – Roll the second pie crust out into a circle large enough to fully cover the apples. Crimp the edges using the back of a fork or the ‘finger clamp’ method to completely seal the apples into the crust. Using a sharp knife, create 3-5 vents in the top crust.

Step 5 – Bake on the middle shelf at 375° for about 50 minutes or until the pie is visibly bubbling through the vents in the center of the pie. If it’s not quite bubbly in the middle, continue baking for 5-minute increments until it is.

To Serve

Allow the pie to cool so it sets properly. Serve with fresh vanilla whipped cream or your favorite ice cream and enjoy with people you love.

Amber Dawn Schultheis is a hospitality and culinary storyteller based in Snohomish County. Discover her Pacific Northwest seasonal recipes by subscribing to The Host Notes newsletter at http://thehostnotes.com and follow along on your favorite social media outlets @thehostnotes.