An Apple a Day

We've had a wonderful, happy weekend full of projects and little family adventures, concluding this afternoon with a trip to Hillcrest Orchard in North Georgia. Jim was off of work for Columbus Day--a fantastic surprise--and we thought it was high time for a family escape from the city.

I'm so glad we went. Driving through tunnels of leaves ablaze with their autumn colors, past fields ripe with pumpkins, apples, and drying corn stalks, it finally felt like fall. Even the weather seemed to get the memo--the air was cool enough for jackets!

As you can see, the trees at Hillcrest were heavy with ripe apples of every variety. On the weekends, they host an apple festival with rides, games, and hayrides, but truthfully, I find it a little cheesy. It was nice to roam the orchard all by ourselves, hunting for juicy fruit hidden up in the leaves.

We came home with a peck of Rome apples, which is about twelve pounds worth (a few of them rode home in Little Brother's pockets). So I'm looking for some particularly mouth-watering ways to use them this week. I have some ideas, but I'd love your input. Any favorite ways to cook apples? 

After the orchards, we hit the vintage tractors.  Little Brother went straight for the green one--that's his favorite color.

Big Brother prefers blue. Thank goodness for easy choices, right?

At dinner tonight, we went around the table and said what we were thankful for today. Big Brother talked about our adventures in the country--new places and experiences and a collection of treasures to show his schoolmates tomorrow. Jim and I said we were thankful for having a rare day with just the four of us: a time to laugh and enjoy each other and make memories unique to our little family. When  Little Brother's turn came, we had to explain that "being thankful" means thanking Jesus for specific things he has given us today. He listened pensively, and then responded without hesitation, "tha he luvvs me."

What a perfect answer. At the end of this beautiful and (relatively) quiet day with my family, I too feel unusually aware of God's extravagant love. Rest is such a precious gift.

And just like that, we're back to the week. Here's wishing that we can all take a bit of the peace of the weekend into the days ahead...happy Tuesday!