While the leaves have yet to turn and show their autumn colors, our family is very aware that fall has arrived. Here in Nashville, the pumpkin patches are now in full swing, the Halloween programs which require advance reservations are already filling up, and the apples are being harvested. My girls chatter eagerly about skeletons, witches, and anything spooky. They make drawings of pumpkins and collages with leaves. Natalie constantly wants to know how long until Halloween, and then til her birthday, and then until Thanksgiving. To Natalie, 31 days until Halloween seems like a painfully long reality. Thus we fill our days with adventures to keep her mind off of that special night on the 31st.
Today we went with our lovely playgroup to Pratt Farm to glean what seems like the very last of their apple harvest for the year. It was a beautiful day in the high 60s to low 70s. It was just cool enough for the autumn jacket when we arrived. Jackets had to be peeled off later after much running around. There is something very special about apples, wagons, and the freedom to run and pick. While the trees weren't loaded with apples, the kids were fascinated with the ones that were there. These were not your picture perfect apples and many were quite spotty. Natalie adored them. She pointed out ones with pink polka dots and others that were "very colorful." Noelle followed behind and made sure not to miss any branch that her sis had picked her apple from. Noelle was also insistent upon pulling the wagon herself at one point since she is such a big girl these days! After getting our apples weighed, the kids played on the John Deere tractor and we all had a picnic lunch. It was a delightful fall day.
Now my question: What do I do with over three pounds of small spotty apples?
Answer: Lots and lots of these apple crisps!