apple picking

On Saturday we drove out to Warwick, New York to go apple picking. We picked Uncle Joel and Aunt Colleen up on the way so they could join in the fun. It was a lovely warm and mostly sunny day -- perfect for picking apples. The boys, with two autumns of orchard visits behind them, knew just what to do, and because of their bit of expertise, the whole experience was over in only a few minutes. But a glorious few minutes they were!

 Enjoying the fruits of their labor (pun totally intended)

Of course, an apple picking excursion would not be complete without the consumption of fresh apple cider and apple cider donuts. We gobbled up the donuts in an even more efficient manner than we picked the apples, but brought home a gallon of cider which we'll be able to enjoy throughout the week. We also picked out two small pumpkins that the boys are eager to help me turn into pumpkin muffins and pumpkin pie.

Since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped by the Warwick Cemetery so Joel and Colleen could introduce us to the fun of letterboxing. The cemetery was beautiful and incredibly well-maintained considering its age -- quite a few of the headstones date back to the 18th century, including one belonging to a Revolutionary War general named John Hathorn (whose home, which is apparently just up the street, still stands in its almost original condition; we might have to stop their on our next trip to Warwick). The boys loved hunting for "treasure," particularly Caleb, who was an engaged participant for every step of the process. It was a lot of fun, and we just might have to start letterboxing ourselves.

 

It was good to get out of the city, if only for a few hours (and even if we followed the advice of our GPS and drove home through Manhattan, which, thanks to construction and an accident, got pretty hairy before, during, and after the Holland Tunnel; I'd say we'll never do that again, but we did end up driving over the Brooklyn Bridge, which helped us to end the drive on a high note). I love taking the boys apple picking, and they love it, too, if the fact that all of their prayers since then have included the line "and thank you for apple picking" is any indication. And I love the way the house smells as we use up the peck we picked to make applesauce and apple crisps and other delicious apple delicacies. It is the perfect way to welcome the fall.