Apple Bloom is left to handle the majority of the work on Sweet Apple Acres since Applejack and Big Macintosh have to leave to help out on another family farm for a couple of weeks. Granny Smith is helping out wherever she can, but the majority of the labor rests in Apple Bloom's hooves. While she's not the inexperienced filly she was years ago, does the young mare have what it takes to run the Apple family farm in Ponyville while her two older siblings are away, or will the monstrous load of work be too much for her?

NOTE: This work began before season 3 commenced. Certain elements of it, therefore, will clash with some of the developments of season 3 and onward (including things like Princess Twilight, the fate of Apple Bloom's parents, cutie marks, etc). With that in mind, enjoy!

Being a blank-flank filly is tough enough, something all the Cutie Mark Crusaders can attest to. When somepony points out that Apple Bloom has neither fancy magic nor awesome wings, the world can seem downright cruel. Fortunately, she's not alone, and Applejack knows a little story or two.

The Doctor's life is very busy, and very dangerous, and to bring a filly along would be irresponsible, or perhaps even reprehensible! Occasionally, though, a quiet moment crops up - a brief period of peace during which he's not attracting danger like a magnet attracts iron filings. Whenever such a moment arises, there are only two ponies on his mind.

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This story just came out of the blue today, I sat down in a fit of procrastination, aiming to write a (mostly) unrelated short story about Pinkie Pie, but this ended up getting typed instead.

Princess Luna decides that the Sisterhooves Social is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality bonding time with Princess Celestia. Do Sweetie Belle and Applebloom stand a chance or do the princesses of Equestria have this competition in the bag?

When Rarity is overwhelmed with making designs for an agriculture exhibition, she turns to Applejack for advice. But when she gives Applejack a hair style treatment in return, the apple farmer lets her accent slip from southern drawl to sophisticated Manehattenite. The result? More fancy parties than you can shake a candy apple at!

Princess Luna is ready to take on her role as Princess of the Night once again upon the night of the winter solstice. She remains unhappy, though, for her subjects don't seem interested in what the night sky has to offer. Twilight Sparkle must take it upon herself to prove to the princess just how much Equestria loves the stars, and make this the best winter solstice ever.

Applejack had long since taken the Hearth’s Warming Eve story for fact. When she and Fluttershy find themselves in an untamed wilderness, they’ll learn that not all history is preserved. In their struggle to find their way home, the two will unearth secrets unknown to any living being, pony or otherwise.

Half a world away, the others have problems of their own. As Rainbow Dash struggles to discover exactly what she is to her oldest friend, Twilight must face the stunning truth about her long-time mentor.

In the end, what is lost, and what is found?

It's been two months since Twilight and Big Macintosh started dating, and what a wonderful two months it's been. As their relationship blooms, Twilight finds out through Applejack that not all of the Apple family may be keen on a relationship that includes one of their own kin, and a unicorn. Worried about their future together, Twilight asks Big Macintosh for the biggest favor she can think of...to visit his entire family, and see if they can't break old traditions.

This is the sequel to Sparkling Cider, my first fan-fiction. It isn't necessary to have read Sparkling Cider to understand Old Traditions, but it certainly wouldn't hurt!

Credit for the cover image goes to ode2sokka on deviantart. It's an amazing image!

Thanks to all my followers who have been waiting for the sequel, you guys rock!

Applejack's got a secret she'd kept hidden for many years. Nopony would ever have guessed what she and Twilight were up to in the library late at night, once Spike had gone to sleep. That is, until a jealous Rainbow Dash decided it was her business to find out just what in the hay was going on.

Come one, come all. It is The Great and Powerful Trixie's greatest show ever!

Teaching a small classroom of fillies magic can't be that hard, right?

New and improved Cover Art from some nice Anon in the Draw Thread.