Happy Fall! I haven't posted in a while because I've been trying to spend as much time outdoors as possible:
 |
Over Labor Day weekend, we visited Maria's Field of Hope, which is dedicated to children who have passed away due to cancer. It's sunflowers as far as the eye can see. Sad and beautiful at the same time.
|
 |
A few weeks ago, my daughter and I went apple picking. We tried out a new orchard this year because our usual spots are either closed due to Covid or had a bad season. This place was fabulous! The trees were quite full.
|
 |
They also have a cute barn where they make hard ciders. On the weekends, they have live music and plenty of outdoor seating with a pretty view of the lake in the distance.
|
 |
We picked Jonagold, Macintosh, and Red Delicious. You buy the 1/2 bushel bag for $20 and then pick as many as you can fit. I had fun hauling this to the car.
|
 |
| The first thing I made was an apple crisp. It's my favorite apple dessert. |
 |
| But I did try something new this year: apple butter. It was very simple. You just peel and dice 8 large apples and add some brown sugar and spices in a crockpot. I cooked it on high for 6 hours. |
 |
| Then I used an immersion blender until it turned into a thick sauce. We used it on bread, waffles, bagels and in oatmeal. Absolutely delicious! |
 |
That same day, I 'attended' a virtual wedding. The groom is a long-time family friend. As the couple have family and friends from around the world, they had planned to do a live broadcast even before the pandemic. It was a lovely setting and ceremony.
|
 |
A few years ago, I posted about the Girl Scout camp that I used to take my campers to when I was a leader. It was sold and turned into a nature preserve. It's a wonderful place to visit in the fall. This is one of the 'cabins' that campers used to stay in. They are nicer looking on the outside than the inside, trust me.
|
 |
The trees were just starting to turn, which made a lovely reflection on the lake.
|
 |
An old hydroelectric mill on the property, dating back to the 1920's. It was built by Jim Kirby, the original owner of the property. You may know him as the inventor of the Kirby vacuum, along with many other household appliances. The former camp has a very interesting history!
|
 |
This past weekend, we decided to visit a Cleveland metropark that we had never been before. To get to one of the trails, you have to climb these 130 steps. I'm not a fan of heights, but it wasn't as bad as I feared.
|
 |
The view at the top made the climb totally worth it!
|
 |
We enjoyed the hike at the top, which provided lots of views of the beauty of Autumn.
|
 |
Our last stop of the day was at this waterfall.
What Fall activities have been on your agenda?
|
I don't blame you one bit for spending as much time outdoors enjoying this time of year. I've been doing the same thing; savoring it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful selection of photos. I especially love Maria's Field of Hope and the sunflowers. Yes, sad and beautiful at the same time.
Those apple trees look quite full indeed! Apples are one of my favorites. Wow....that is one BIG bag of apples. I bet they're deeeeelicious! I love to slice an apple and dip the pieces into a jar of natural peanut butter. I may have to try your apple butter recipe. YUM-MY!
And speaking of a virtual wedding, I met a makeup artist last week who did the makeup for the bride for her virtual wedding out in the burbs. Nice photo!
I am so enjoying your Fall photos on Instagram because we haven't had much color change in our trees here this year. I took some photos earlier this week that I will be posting, but I'm hoping for a nice cold snap to help intensify the color.
Have a superb weekend, my friend! Happy Fall! X
I’m surprised you haven’t seen much fall color this year. Maybe because you are just a bit farther south. I’ve been so enjoying the beauty this year. It’s cold again, so I’m planning to bundle up this weekend and take some leisurely strolls. Happy Friday, Ron!
DeleteI just love, love, love fall. Everything connected to it. Glad you got out. I love going to apple orchards. Your food looks good. I have never heard of a virtual wedding - it looked pretty. And you went to a lot of nice places - glad you are having fun.
ReplyDeleteApple orchards are a fun fall outing. A virtual wedding is just one that’s live streamed so others can watch it live. I watched it on my iPad and took the photo of the screen with my phone. Technology! Lol!
DeleteI'm also enjoying the autumn colours, which seem to be much more evident than last year.
ReplyDeleteAll the sunflowers in Maria's Field of Hope are wonderful. You certainly got a good haul of apples there, and some great recipes out of them. And I agree, the view from the top of the steps must be well worth the climb. We haven't been outdoors very much, we've been too busy reading and TV watching!
The colors here came earlier than the last few years so I think we are getting to enjoy them longer.
DeleteWine trailing, leaf chasing, garlic planting, hunting, and plenty of napping!!
ReplyDeleteNapping? I only nap when I get sick, which is never! Knock on wood.
DeleteSeriously? And here I thought you were living the best life! A good nap makes life worth the living!
DeleteIf you're looking for The Most WOnderful Time of the Year, it's Fall.
Naps give me headaches. I’m just not into sleep!
DeleteWow. You have been busy. Loved everything that you shared especially the apple crisp and the apple butter. They look so good. We have been doing hiking and just enjoying the sunshine before the time change and then it will be dark at 5 pm. Yuck. Take care and keep enjoying all of those fall activities.
ReplyDeleteI made apple dumplings yesterday. Major PIA, but so freaking good! Yes, it’s hard when it gets dark so early. I’m also scared to take my garbage out at 7 am right now due to the darkness and bucks in heat. I had one start to charge me around 6pm a few weeks back. Fortunately, some dogs began barking and distracted him!
DeleteLove that waterfall and all your other pictures. How cool with the virtual wedding. Makes sense though to have it that way this year plus with having friends all over the country/world. Did you send a virtual gift (just kidding :) How fun with the apple picking too. That apple butter sounds so good! I would have to buy an immersion blender though if I was to make it though I'm not sure what an immersion blender is :)
ReplyDeleteWe are still in summer in Phoenix :) 145 days this year with triple digits. Maybe ???? it is coming to an end in the next week or so??? There is a touch of fall in the morning air so that's a good thing :)
betty
Oh my, that is some hot weather you’ve been dealing with. It’s definitely turned colder here, which means my daily walks won’t be so daily. An immersion blender is one of those handheld stick blenders that you use to blend soups and sauces. That way, you don’t have to transfer ingredients to a different bowl. So, if you’re cooking down something like apples or tomatoes, you use the blender to make it smooth, right in the same pot.
DeleteYou need to make a travel board on Pinterest because you always find the coolest and most beautiful places to visit! While the story behind the sunflowers is sad, it made for a beautiful scenery to remember all those little angels. The apple butter is a different idea, but something I’d definitely try. We’ve been doing lots of fun Fall activities in the mountains this week. It’s my favorite season so I try to enjoy every second of it. I will have to try to find you on Instagram since that’s where I share most pictures of our escapades. :)
ReplyDeleteI’m looking forward to hearing about your trip! And I’ll email you or message you about the Instagram!
DeleteThe Field of Hope sunflowers is absolutely beautiful and the cause is sad and sobering. I haven't seen sunflowers since I lived in Texas.I tried to grow them here in TN with no luck.
ReplyDeleteThe apple orchard that you visited sounds wonderful. My parents used to visit apple orchards in Apple Valley, California when I was a kid - and I still remember the heavenly scent of the trees.
Homemade apple butter is delicious!!
The photos taken at the Cleveland metropark are spectacular. It was worth the hike! The autumn foliage here in the Tennessee boonies usually doesn't peak until the end of the month, but the trees are turning earlier this year. I'm looking forward to wandering out in the forest on my property to take pictures.
I’ve not heard of Apple Valley, CA but what a great name. I feel as though our leaves changed earlier this year, possibly due to the colder nights we’ve been having. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love your pictures. I love apple crisp. That is Ken's favorite thing to eat for dessert.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. Apple crisp is yummy and I pretend it’s healthy because of the fruit. Lol!
DeleteYou sure have been getting out and about. They are worse on the inside? Usually it is the other way around I find here. Some murder looking shack places I go to are just nasty, but others are blah looking on the outside and super nice on the inside.
ReplyDeleteGood to enjoy nature before the snow flies. Apples sure are a win at our sea too. Many a wedding, if they actually go through with them, are being held virtually. Good that it was nice.
Oh they are awful inside, especially now as they’ve been locked up and neglected. The association taking care of the property probably has plans to fix them up, but it would take a lot of money.
DeleteYes, I’m afraid snow will be here in another week, if weather reports are right.
I would love to go apple picking, but there's no such thing here. However, Minnesota is just one state over, and they have tons of orchards. We may have to plan a trip out there one of these years.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of trips, that was our big fall outing so far...the visit to Sioux Falls. We may try to head back to Sheridan, Wyoming again, too.
I love your pics! Beautiful fall colors.
I’m surprised there are no orchard there. Bummer! Yes, you’ve been doing some nice traveling! Enjoy!
DeleteWow, Bijoux , you certainly have been busy!
ReplyDeleteApple picking, cooking, hiking, "attending" a wedding--I'm exhausted just reading about your activities.
And what beautiful photos! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
I thought Maria's Field of Hope is so beautiful and so touching. The apple crisps and apple butter look delicious.
Congratulations for getting over concern about heights. And I liked the former Girl Scout camp.
There's a former Girl Scout camp in Staten Island called High Rock that's been turned into a nature preserve. It's a beautiful location within the confines of NYC.
Great post!
Thank you, Rob! You are such a supportive friend. That is great to hear that another GS Camp was turned into a preserve. I’m going to look it up online. Have a great week!
DeleteThe sunflowers... such a lovely way to honor the small ones who never really got to live their lives.
ReplyDeleteI missed apple picking this year, but I'll for sure be making apple crisp soon with my store bought apples. Yours looks divine! It's also my all time favorite apple dessert.
I love the idea of a virtual wedding. The internet wasn't really a thing when I got married, but if I were to do it now, I'd for sure stream it so all of the friends I've made over the years online could attend.
I had a Kirby sweeper a long time ago. God-awful heavy thing, it was!
The fall colors are so beautiful in your pics. We did a driving tour through Northern Michigan last weekend and it was breathtaking. I'll post pics in a few weeks. Right now I am also not online much as I'm trying to knock out as many crafts as I can for the upcoming holiday bazaars and to get my Etsy fully functioning before Christmas shopping is in full swing.
I made apple dumplings last week and they were delicious, but what a PITA to make! When I got married, videotaping was all the rage. I had no desire to have a video of me because I HATE hearing the sound of my voice. It’s not an unusual voice, but I can’t stand it, nonetheless. Oh, I bet the colors in MI were gorgeous. That’s a pretty area year round. Good luck with your Etsy shop.
DeleteI can't watch myself on video. It causes major anxiety. I don't like my photo taken either, but I can deal with that more than video. I helped my friend do a facebook live for her business last week but couldn't bring myself to watch the playback. I know what you mean about not liking the sound of your voice. It sounds so different in my head than when I hear it played back on tape! Cringeworthy!
DeleteNo apologies needed about ignoring blog posts to spend as much time outdoors as possible, Bijoux, as we have been doing much the same. Autumn is my favorite time of year with cooler temps, beautiful colors and being able to wear sweatshirts and fleece and be outdoors - what's NOT to like? We have a lot of pick-your-own apple orchards in and around Nashua, NH, and the local supermarkets sell tote bags of locally picked apples, so we haven't gone to an orchard. Yes, on apple crisp which I've made twice in recent weeks. It's so good with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The sunflowers were a lovely tribute and nice they return annually. We've been day tripping as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad to hear you are enjoying the season, too. I will stop in to see what you’ve been up to.
DeleteApple picking is one of my favorite fall activities. I typically make applel crisps with my haul too. That apple butter looks good! I can just imagine some slathered on a hot buttered biscuit. Yum! How much sugar did you use? Which spices?
ReplyDeleteI used a heaping half cup of brown sugar and added in cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and ground cloves. There are lots of recipes on Pinterest, but it’s a pretty basic recipe.
DeleteApple crisp is my favorite! Apple butter is pretty amazing, too! You really got my mouth watering. . .
ReplyDeleteThat's some pretty amazing hiking, there, too. Lots of up-and-down. Good for you, my friend!
Trying to squeeze out as much outdoor fun as possible!
DeleteIt feels so good to be back in a land with some hills and color in fall! And the apples grown on the east side of the mountains have been harvested and are being sold everywhere! Love your pics!
ReplyDeletenew blog: www.fromarockyhillside.com
That’s nice that you are enjoying fall color again. I’ll check out your link.
DeleteI have been doing the same - staying outside as much as possible. That's cool that the Girl Scout camp in now a retreat. And I love going apple picking.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I went back to the GS camp/nature preserve on Friday when it was a glorious 75 degrees. It was absolutely gorgeous with the fall foliage.
DeleteWow... Where do I start??? Maria's Field Of Hope is breathtaking and heartbreaking. I pray one day these fields represent nothing but healthy, forever cancer free, children. - Okay. The barn with the hard cider and music??? I'm there! I love those kinds of things. We used to have Alive After 5 here in Boise. Jazz music in the park after work, bring your wine and a blanket or sit at a street side bistro and be waited on. Some work days it was sooo needed. - I seriously want to reach thru the screen and take your apple butter! It's been on my list of things to try in my crockpot and I've never done it. Now I will! - I am so happy you've gotten out n' about before the turn in the weather. It's so beautiful there and I suppose everywhere about now. Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful pics and taking us along! - Congratulations to the happy couple!
ReplyDeleteIsn’t Maria’s Field something else? I went for the first time last year. There are signs with children’s names, dates of birth/death and picture. I try not to focus on them while there because I’d just be a mess, but by some miracle, my husband noticed a colleague’s daughter’s sign when we were walking around. I don’t know how he found it among the hundreds of signs. So, of course I cried, remembering her precious face and her passing three years ago.
DeleteWhen I was in my early 20’s, the city I lived in had a Friday After Work party in the middle of the city all summer with live music. It was so much fun! I miss stuff like that, living in the burbs. If you make the apple butter, let me know! It was soooo good!
Hello! New reader here! I love your fall pictures and that park looks like an amazing place to walk! I spent as much time outdoors as I could this year! I retired in May and have been enjoying spending time with my grandsons! I enjoyed your post and will be back!
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you so much for visiting! I have 2 grandkids that I love to spend time with as well. Stopping by your place now.
Delete