Annual Apple Picking trip

We look forward to apple picking every year! This year, it seems that the apple season started earlier than normal, and I think that was due to our colder wet summer we had this year. So the first free weekend, which happened to be a little cooler than the odd warm weather jump, we headed out. There are 2 local orchards that we love to go to. This time we went to Kercher's in Goshen. A small local place with a great little shop, we picked Cortland and Jonathon apples this year, and ended up with around 80lbs.  After picking we always grab a box of Rise n'roll cinnamon donut holes to snack on at the picnic tables. It was a wonderful day and I hope it made some great memories!

Apple Picking 2014

We LOVE apple picking! It is just one of those things that we look forward to every fall. We normally go to Garwood in LaPorte, but this year I was working on the south side of Elkhart on a Sunday morning, so we decided that the family would come with me for work, and then we would pick apples at Kercher's in Goshen this year. We had gone here once in the past with friends years ago, and really liked it. There was a storm heading our way, so we tried to head out before it got too bad. Sure enough as soon as we got there it started to drizzle, and would periodically the entire rest of the day, but that didn't deter us from picking over 11lbs. of Jonathan and Cortland apples!

There was a small corn maze to run through, and these silly picture op pumpkins. The hay rides started the weekend after we went, but we are planning on going back again for more apples next month.

After we were done picking, we headed into the farm stand where the amazing scent of cinnamon, baked goods, and cider were wafting about. We did pick up a box of Rise n' Roll cinnamon donut holes, and boy were they amazing! This picture just cracks me up!!!! L has a cheek stuffed with donut holes, and D is making a crazy smiling face.

Apple Picking past years!

2008
2010
2011
2012
 

Apple Picking 2012

Yesterday was our annual trip out to Garwood Orchards to do our apple picking! This year's crop, pretty much all over Indiana and Michigan was either totally destroyed or almost all destroyed by a late frost in April. Garwood had 70% of their crop wiped out, so there are only a few more weeks to go apple picking. We headed out and of course it was the coldest day we have had yet this year! When we got up at 8am, it was only 31 degrees! And it didn't warm up much from that through the day. On top of that it had been raining the day before and the night before, so we planned on it being sort of muddy. Armed with rain boots, jeans, warm coats, hats, and wrist warmers we headed out. Luckily it wasn't as muddy or cold once we got out there. We picked 27lbs. (the smallest batch yet) of Rome and Golden Delicious apples. Adam has already made a crumb top apple pie last night at his parent's house, and boy was that good! I can't wait to get the apple butter, and apple sauce going tomorrow.

The first apples picked!

 L giving the bunny ears to his sister. It's hard to get him to take a picture without doing that these days.

Adam rubbed this apple on his coat and got it nice and shiny. We thought it looked like the apple from Snow White. So I took his best wicked witch apple picture.

 And then silly me, I thought, hey I like this really red apple, I want a picture of me with it in my hands. Only later did it dawn on me that it was just like the Twilight Book Cover. Now see, I do need to declare that I have never read the books or watched the movies, so it was the last thing on my mind.

 We thought this tree had an odd shape to it. The branches were long and somewhat droopy, the apples and leaves were all at the ends in clumps. Not what a normal apple tree looks like!

 Heading back to the car for lunch with apple in hand!

Check out past year's fun!
http://kellyheet.blogspot.com/2011/10/apple-picking-2011.html

Apple recipes we have tried and love!
http://kellyheet.blogspot.com/2010/10/apple-recipes.html

Apple Picking 2011

Once again we headed out to Garwood Orchards to do our apple picking this year. It was perfect weather! We are enjoying an Indian summer out here in Indiana. September was a freezing cold month, and we were all prepared for the upcoming season. Well October is throwing us a curve ball. This whole week has been sunny and almost 80 again. But the trees are all a beautiful shade of orange, yellow, and red right now, like they have all been sun-kissed.

We picked around 40lbs. this year and did mostly Honey crisp and Red Delicious. We were a bit disappointed in the Honey crisp this year. There were very few left on the trees, and those that were, had nasty black mushy spots all over. We found more on the ground that were in better shape. After we filled 3 reusable bags full of yummy apples, we headed to the pumpkin patch. The kids were so excited to go pick out a pumpkin, and ended up picking pumpkins close to 25 lbs! Next year the rule will be that they have to carry their own out. We waited for the tractor to come back around to pick us up, and we happily discovered that it was the wagon pulled by 2 horses headed our way. The kids were so pumped, and then the driver asked if they would want to sit up by her. Well, that just totally made their day! Overall, what a fantastic time and the first thing off our fall bucket list.

apple picking 2010
apple picking 2008

Happy apple picking family

 Which one will you pick D?

 "I see it!!!!!"

 I stake a claim on this one!

 Waiting for the tractor

 WE ARE SITTING BY THE HORSES!!!!!!

Fall Bucket List

We had so much fun with our Summer Bucket List, that we decided to do a fall one as well. We limited the number of activities do to our normally busy calendar, plus with L in school it really limits most things to the weekends. I picked up a few months back some pre-cut fall shapes at Dollar Tree in their school stuff section. There were pumpkins, leaves, and corucopias, so I wrote our list on these, and taped them to the front door. I figured I could whip up a fun title with scrap construction paper. I got this done just in time, since we are planning on going apple picking tomorrow and that is on the list! And since we do these things every year, I can re-use the shapes again next year.

Our Fall Bucket List:
-pick apples
-play in a leaf pile
-go trick or treating
-make a thankful tree
-make pies
-carve pumpkins
-make homemade applesauce
-roast pumpkin seeds
-attend our local zoo boo (2008)
-make leaf rubbings
-attend the local fall festive
-make pumpkin pie playdough
-make a 4 season poster
-drink caramel apple cider
-make fall cookies (found this one and this one that sound great!)

Apple Picking 2010

It's hard to believe that this is our 3rd year apple picking now.  Boy the kids grow up quickly!  This was a last min. choice to go.  If it was up to Adam, we would have passed on it this year.  But it means a lot to me to go, so we went.  We always go to Garwood Orchard, they have the most amazing produce, tons of U-pick options, and perfect prices!  The kids just LOVE to pick anything for us to eat.  I never have to worry about them not wanting to eat it, thank goodness!  We headed out on a tractor drawn wagon to the orchard.  We brought with 2 large reusable bags, and I'm happy that we didn't bring more.  We ended up picking over 51 lbs. of apples within 10 min.  Both kids had fun, but L was all over it this year!  He would go to a tree, have 3 in his hand, and one he was eating each time he went.  I think the boy ate at least 4 apples while we were just picking!  But thanks to his enthusiasm we were done before you knew it.  He was also entertainment for anyone out there with us.  The best was when a pretty college aged girl walked past with her mother, L offered to help them and go with them.  Adam packed us a lunch, so we paid for our bounty, headed back to the car, and had some lunch.  I have already made a GIANT batch of apple sauce, an cherry apple crisp, and we have eaten a number of apples, but there are still so many left.  I think it's time for some pies....

Adam wanted to pick them both up on his shoulders and take a picture, they were not cooperating, and this was the end result!

apple picking 2008