Apple Picking

Our family joined several other families and headed out of town for a day of apple picking in the rolling hills just outside of Asheville. It wasn't a crisp fall day, but it was a sunny and breezy day... and while too warm to think about hot cider after our picking adventure, it was perfect for cider slushies instead!

Micah made it his mission to climb every tree to the highest branch before hearing me (quietly and calmly, of course) asking him to come down. Grady Lee was intent on simply filling his basket as quickly as possible and needed a reminder (or seven) about picking only the very best apples. Annalyse climbed a few branches but opted for the low-hanging fruit after an ever-so-small scrape to her knee. Jaxton rode on Grady's back simply taking in the sights and nodding off for a half hour nap.

Oh yeah.

Unbeknownst to us, Jax reached up and grabbed a handful of leaves at some point during the afternoon, shoved them in his mouth, and proceeded to fall asleep. When he woke up a while later and I noticed green drool, I swiped his mouth and discovered three soggy leaves. Extra fiber? Maybe. Gross? Definitely.

With a multitude of apple varieties to choose from, some of which I hadn't ever heard of, we filled four baskets and called it good. If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, well, we won't be seeing a doctor for a very long time. We had more than enough apples for pies, breads, crisp, and for dipping in caramel!

Team Peeler - I love my little family! 

Without wasting time, my crew spent an afternoon peeling and slicing apples to bake in apple bread for several of our neighbors as well as for our freezer. It was the perfect way to welcome in the official start of fall!

(Local friends: We visited Skytop Orchard, and picking continues well into October if you're interested in going.)