Monday, September 27, 2010

Good Apple Hunting

This weekend we went to Apple Jack's Orchard in Delano. Apparently, this was not an original idea, the place was packed. But it was still wonderful. They have so much going on there: Cow barrel rides, pony rides, a mini zoo, a corn maze, tractor rides, apple cannons, pumpkin patches, raspberry picking, hay stacks to climb, live music, a restaurant, bakery, gift shop, and a playground. Apples, however, not so much.

Due to an early spring frost, most local orchards are experiencing an apple shortage. No kidding. There were four, count 'em, four trees with apples on them. They were Liberty apples, which are delicious and teeny tiny, perfect for little hands. No apple pie this year, but we have a bag full of snacking apples for Millie.

The day was perfect, sunny and cool in the morning, then really warming up later in the day. We picked several lovely pumpkins and just enough raspberries for Millie to snack on in the huge complimentary wagon we were pulling. It just so happened that very day was the Giant Pumpkin Weigh In! And giant they were. Lunch was cider brats at a lovely picnic area by the river. And there is even a train going by every once in a while. Put some suspenders on Tony and it was a Norman Rockwell painting.

The very popular cow ride. We based our choice of orchards on whether or not they had one of these. I am thinking of building one in the back yard.



The annual "Millie takes a bite out of a fresh picked apple" photo. Isn't it exciting?




Millie and her vote for best giant pumpkin.


Neither of them really gets how to do this, do they?


The perfect pumpkin, now showing on our front porch.


She chose a heart and rainbow image for her face. My little girly-girl.



Evidentially, when Moms are on a diet, they tend to buy their children cookies as big as their heads. Frosting on a chocolate chip cookie? Why the heck not.


Millie's first pony ride. Nerve wrecking for all involved.


I LOVE your hair!

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