Making Way For Winter

This Autumn has been absolutely spectacular. I'm always a little bit sad to see the last few leaves falling from the trees as the sun seems to hibernate behind the clouds and the cold air comes barreling down from the North. I have to remind myself that the leaves aren't just leaving, they're graciously stepping aside to make way for something new. They've had their moment in the sun. Now where the leaves were just a few days ago, there are magical fairy lights. Where there was grass, there is frost, lending that magical clean look of Winter to the yard. Now there is hot cocoa. Apple cider. Christmas carols, cookies, wish lists and candy canes. A fire in the fireplace and decorations on the tree. Stockings 'hung by the chimney with care'. We'll miss the leaves when they are gone, but we know they'll be back soon with their little blossom friends and those warm rays of sunshine.  For now, though, it's time to make way for the season of Joy.

On Our Walk

I absolutely love this time of year. Pulling the sweaters down from the attic, cozying up by the fire,  the incredible colors of the sky and the trees. On our walk today, Amarra and I braved our way through the crisp, cool air and were greatly rewarded by the beauty at every turn. Leaves, leaves and more leaves! It was positively raining them. It won't be long until Jack Frost whisks the leaves away and winter comes, so for now we plan to enjoy every second of the splendor this Autumn has to offer.

Jumping For Joy

As we were piling in to the car after acting class today, the wind picked up and Elora Kay squealed with delight. Leaves were falling everywhere around us.
"Mom, I gotta jump in it!  CAN I??"
So for a few moments she jumped and twirled, danced and giggled and shouted with glee as the leaves danced with her.
Pure joy.

Cider Pressing Day!

Apple cider pressing day is one of our favorite days!
We are so fortunate to live just a few miles from Cedar Creek Grist Mill, and tend to head up there every few months for tours, butter churning day, to get our cornmeal ground...you name it! The best (and busiest!) day, though, is the day we make apple cider! The volunteers at the grist mill bring in 8,000 pounds of apples and always run out by early afternoon. And that is with a limit of 2 quarts per adult!  We like to show up at opening time (8am) and we still tend to park at least a quarter mile away and wait in line for the cider for at least 1/2 hour. Let me say, though, that you could NOT ask for a better place to be waiting around! The mill is beautiful, the trees are breathtaking, the salmon are spawning in the river below (We wait in line on an old fashioned covered bridge. It doesn't get better than that, folks.) and everyone is excited to be there.  We always meet new and interesting people in line and have a great time hanging out, even if it is 35 degrees outside.
After we get our cider we head on inside to...make more cider! The girls throw their gloves on and start chopping and pressing their little hearts out. Most kids really like the chopping bit, but Elora is all about the pressing. You take a piece of wood and use it to turn the press in increments, separating the juice from the pulp.  It is hard work and she just goes to town. After working hard to press the apples, everyone gets rewarded out back with cakes, cookies, a bluegrass band (yeah, Dad, you'd love it) and the best view around.
Now we just have to wait until next year!