Picking Apples and Feeling Fallish

After a summer of record breaking heat in Kansas that resulted in 68 days of 90+ degree weather, 20 of which exceeded the 100 degree mark, needless to say we've been anxiously awaiting fall.  Technically, there are still 10 days before the official start of the season, but here at the Elser house we're in full Fall mode.  Football season has begun, sweatshirts and jeans are finding their way back into the wardrobe rotation, the A/C is getting a much deserved break, fall comfort foods are calling my name from the recipe box, and my very favorite scent, Autumn, is back on the shelf at Bath and Body Works.  Oh, and The Voice is back!  I'm a happy girl.

We survived the insanity of August that included our kitchen cabinet project somewhere in the midst of trips to St. Louis, Orlando, Denver and Okoboji and resulted in a total of 14 nights in hotels or someone else's guest room.  Whew.  And while it was all good stuff, great stuff even, I was pooped when I finally arrived home for good on September 1.  Labor Day weekend was spent re-stocking our empty cupboards via trips to Costco and the grocery store, catching up on laundry (although, I have to admit that Drew is the laundry ninja of our household and it rarely piles up under his watch) and giving the house a good cleaning now that we'll actually be home for a bit to enjoy it.  With all of that out of the way, last weekend was the first one in ages with all three of us at home and nothing pressing on the agenda.  And that very weekend, fall arrived.  Somewhat briefly, but it was heavenly.

It was cool enough outside that we could finally open the windows and let the house breathe.  And we filled the weekend with fall-like activities. 

At the Farmers Market Jackson & I treated ourselves to some amazing apple cider donuts from Rees Fruit Farm, a much bigger bag of kettle corn than necessary, enough zucchini to restock the freezer with several loaves of bread and a bouquet of fresh flowers.  We hit up the library and chose some fall themed books.  We watched the Kansas City Chiefs opening game (among others over the course of the weekend) while a double batch of chili simmered in the crock pot.  Best of all, we squeezed in one of my absolute favorite family traditions with a trip to Fieldstone Orchard to pick apples.

I didn't tote along my fancy camera (the story of my summer it seems - I need to get better about that), but we did capture a few pictures on the iPhone as we made our way through the orchard.

Look at mine, Dad.

A master with the apple picker.

Quite a haul

 

Awkward and unflattering family photo.

While the apples are small (thanks to the heat wave that kept them from plumping up this year) they are delicious.  And we picked enough to freeze several pies and can some applesauce while leaving plenty for all of us to munch on in the meantime.

It was a lovely weekend and reaffirmed that for me, there's no place like home.

Despite the fact that I owe you several posts about our adventures over the last month, I finally feel somewhat caught up and definitely more settled.  It's a nice feeling.  I think I'll stay here for awhile.

Happy Fall!