Apple Orchards

Last week, Tanner and I went up to Oak Glenn with our friends, the Bendheims. We spent most of the day at Riley's Farm. (Jeremy spent the day with his "little" from the Big Brother/Big Sister program).

 Tanner and I made fresh apple cider. All the kids helped us. 

First, you collect a variety of apples. The more variety, the better the taste.

 Second, you wash them in a giant bucket of water. Third, you toss them into the grinder and you grind the apples up, which is a lot of work.

 Then, you press the chopped up apples so that all you get is the yummy juices. Tanner really wanted to touch the cider as it drizzled into the bucket.

 Finally, you pour the juices into a carton and take it home to drink! We have been drinking it all this week. It is soooo delicious.

The farm had more than just apples. We enjoyed flower gardens, browsed the pumpkin patch, shopped in the gift store, and ate lunch in a barn while a country family band played for us.

We also picked a bag of our own apples. Tanner immediately understood the concept. He collected all kinds of apples from off the ground and put them in his bag.

 

 We came home with a bag of apples, a gallon of freshly pressed apple cider, a mile high apple pie, apple blossom honey, and apple doughnuts! This week, we used our fresh apples for apple pancakes and apple quesadillas. Yum!

We had such a wonderful autumn day. Before our trip to the farm, Tanner really didn't enjoy apples. Now, he loves gnawing on them, drinking apple cider, and chewing apple pieces. I think it was a great educational day for him! Personally, I just loved being in the hills and basking in all the autumn festivities. Happy Autumn!