FUN PICKINGS

The forecast says that we are in for a much colder weekend, and that it's possible we might even see some snow. Even in Minnesota, barring a particular Halloween snow storm, it's early for snow to make an appearance. What's even harder to believe is how beautiful our weather was at the beginning of the week with temperatures in the low 60's. Fortunately my friend Todd and I were able to take advantage of the warm weather last weekend to do some apple picking.

The apple adventure awaits!

Time for lunch.

The apple tasting and baked goods line was long

Lunchtime serenade.

Those who know me, know that one of my favorite fall activities is to go apple picking. I love the seasonal tradition that this has become for me - apple picking was not an event from my childhood. Growing up in Iowa, my family never went on adventures to apple orchards to stuff bags, or baskets with these delicious red gems, and all of the many apple pies my mom baked, were filled with store bought fruit. Knowing this, it's hard to understand where my love for theses picking excursions came from.

Okay, I was just a little obsessed with the ducks.

Todd makes friends wherever he goes.

Our ride to the orchard.

Now to choose which varieties to pick.

For me, apple picking has become part of a romanticized image of what the fall has come to mean to me. Aside from the Christmas holidays, fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler temperatures that invite us to don our favorite sweaters, the light crispness in the air, the beauty of the leaves as they burst into color, and the warmth of fires - both fire rings outside and the cozy hearths inside.

As a child, each fall, our family tradition would be to go on "leaf-looking" drives to take in the beauty of the trees up and down the Mississippi River. As I grew older I discovered new adventures, like apple picking, that through the years have become new traditions for me.

Every good orchard has a farm animal petting zoo.

These two brought back childhood memories. We had peacocks 

when I was growing up on the farm.

Future farmers.

It would difficult for me to live anywhere that didn't experience all four seasons - I would miss them terribly. There's something about apple picking that awakens that part of me that appreciates, not just the coming of fall, but the changing of all the seasons, and that is a wonderful experience for me. 

Now, what shall I make with the apples?


Dressed for apple picking!

What I wore to the orchard:
               Flannel Shirt:  L.L. Bean

               Sweater: L.L. Bean
               Tan Corduroy Pants:  Ralph Lauren

               Belt: Polo Ralph Lauren

               Boots:  L.L. Bean

               Socks: L.L. Bean

               Watch:  Timex

               Watch Strap:  Brooks Brothers