autumn hiking

I think I forgot that I was back to blogging. Oops! It's been a month since I was in this space, and it just occurred to me yesterday, "hey, we're doing stuff around here, and I've not thought once to blog about it!" Mostly, we're taking advantage of the gorgeous fall weather and getting outside. Two weekends ago, Paul's aunt and uncle came down from NY for a visit, and we spent Sunday afternoon hiking at Hanging Rock State Park, which is only about 45 minutes from our house. The day was practically perfect in every way, and exactly what we needed after nearly 2 weeks of rain.

This past weekend was much cooler than the weekend before, but we braved the freezing temperatures and met friends at Crowders Mountain State Park. Crowders Mountain is about a 2 hour drive from our house, but between us and our friends' house. A great day trip for both of us. We chose the shortest trails since we had little ones in tow. They were troopers and hung in there for both of the short trails near the lake. We also played by the lake, skipping rocks and muddying sneakers, and picnicked near the lake, even cooking hot chocolate on the little camp stove. The best way to spend such a lovely autumn day!

::right now::

::playing Bremen Town Musicians in front of the early morning fire::

::savoring the autumnal flavors::

::weaving with Grammy::

::collecting the last of the autumn acorns::

::creating a centerpiece::

::mixing an experiment with Grandad::

::obsessing over volcanoes::

::right now::

::watching the leaves transition::

::piecing a Christmas present quilt::

::smiling at his Halloween creations::

::shivering through the first frost::

::freshening Elizabeth's bedroom walls::

first meal of autumn

In addition to our little hike to celebrate the first day of autumn, we also enjoyed a special meal, full of local harvest goodness. The butternut squash came from our garden, and the pumpkins, apples, and corn were thanks to local farmers. The return of autumnal tastes and smells were welcome in our home, in addition to the gratitude for the bounty and the labor of our nearby farms.

I'm not sure a particular meal would signal the transition to other seasons, but autumn just seems to require specific tastes: pumpkins, apples, hard squashes. And we enjoyed them all.

Our menu:

Butternut Squash Risotto
Pumpkin Custard (I double the eggs and pumpkin and sub half and half for the evaporated milk.)
Chunky Applesauce (just apples simmered with cinnamon, then stirred well and chilled)
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Corn on the cob

For dessert, we had an Apple Galette with homemade whipped cream. The kids asked if we are going to have apples with every meal until we burn through that nearly 3 bushels we brought home from the apple orchard. I think the answer is "likely". It will certainly get us in an autumnal mood, right?

first day of autumn hike

The first day of autumn dawned clear and bright after a previously soggy, rainy day. We took full advantage of the gorgeous weather and took a walk around a nearby lake. The first hint of color is just starting to appear in our trees, while the goldenrod and jewelweed are still blooming everywhere. And autumnal light is just beginning to peek through the forest. A few of the local wildlife even greeted us in the form of a snake and a skeleton that the kids thought might have been a raccoon. Welcome autumn! We're looking forward to your cooler air, beautiful light, holidays, and seasonal offerings.

apple picking

Although we woke up to a foggy almost-autumn morning with the threat of rain, we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best as we drove up into the mountains, just over the Virginia border, to the apple farm. While we didn't enjoy the same beautiful view as last time, the orchard shrouded in fog displays a subtle beauty different from the picturesque wide blue sky and mountain peak charm. It's easier to notice the wildflowers right in front of you, or the shading of the tree limbs. When we were soggy from our jeans down to our squishy shoes, we had about 1.5 bushels of apples, with more purchased from the packing house, and 5 happy soggy children. That's the essence of successful apple picking trip, I guess. 

PS. The muffins you see in the photographs are Pumpkin Streusel Muffins. A requisite snack for any autumnal adventure, in my opinion.