Can you stand one more post about Autumn here in New England? I promise this will be my last one, as it appears winter has already reared its not so pretty head. Yes my friends, we have experienced at least 2″ of snow this week. Ugh!
But enough about that. Come with us while we head to my favorite orchard!
There is decidedly a huge difference between orchards here in the Berkshires and those I grew up with in NY. Mainly, ours are not crowded, not commercial and as Sarissa pointed out, ‘sooooo cute’. There’s the ubiquitous pleasantly plump elderly men sporting flannel shirts and suspenders, labradors running freely among the guests, and deliciously fragrant apple cider and donuts that are hard to resist.
And did I mention, if you ask, they let you drive around in a golf cart!
We later went to lunch at our quaint General Store where I shared one of my all time favorite sandwiches with Josh…roast beef with horseradish sauce on toasted buttered Italian bread. Driving back home I took a slight detour to show them one of my favorite spots. I happened to stumble upon this a couple of years ago when road work was being done and traffic was diverted here.
It was a beautiful Autumn day and I’m so happy they came when they did because the weather went downhill fast!
In other news…
In my never ending quest to lighten and brighten up the cabin, I decided to add some cushions to the dining table chairs in the same fabric as the drapes. I spent way too much time trying to sew them this week! I had decided to install zippers instead of simply slip-stiching the opening.
Big mistake.
I’ve never been a wiz at installing zippers, although when I sewed these cute little makeup bags it was pretty easy, but this was a whole different animal. Turns out the instructions were wrong, but I didn’t realize that until I had spent nearly 6 hours on one cushion. Someone should have told me you can’t get a square peg in a round hole, no matter how hard you try. I usually rely on Singer books when I do home sewing, but they didn’t seem to have instructions for what I wanted to do so I used another book. Never again! I ended up ditching the zippers and just doing a slipstitch opening. In the unlikely event we get a stain on one of them, I’ll simply turn it over! I’m still going to try to do a zipper installation, maybe on a pillow using the same fabric.
No zipper will get the better of me *shaking fists to the heavens*!!
OK, I calmed down. I just finished them a few minutes ago and they look pretty good. They better after all the time it took to make! I’ll show you a pic next time. You’ll just have to carry on for now. ๐
Now about that snow. It’s been a few years since we’ve experienced snow in October. We haven’t even put our deck furniture away, and I still have lots of arugula and spinach I never harvested. So much for that.
I can’t let you go without directing you to two of my favorite apple recipes. This is truly the best apple pie I have ever tasted, and I may just make it this weekend as we still have lots of apples (and I only like apples when they’re cooked), so go ahead and PinIt for later, or click here to be directed to the post for the pie, and here for the turnovers.
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Doreen says
Well…..I’m officially HUNGRY!!!!! I made an apple pie last weekend and added the caramel and it definitely adds a”wow” factor to the finish. This weekend I’ll probably repeat it (adding the streusel). Snow!!!!!! Ugh!!!!! It didn’t get quite as warm as predicted but it did hit 65F and the sun just came out. Your photos are so gorgeous! We have the same Autumn colors, although faded, but many more hardwoods. The Mississippi River corridor (about 25 miles East of us) seems to give us warmer weather for a bit longer than the rest of the area. I never tire of your photos!!!!! Sending Midwest hugs………
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Aww you look like you had such a great time when you went apple picking. We used to do that when the kids were little and then we moved and that was the end of that. But I have really fond memories of that time. I have to admit Doreen that October seems a bit early for snow , but what can I say you have the proof in the photo. I love making apple pie. and I’ll be checking out your recipe. Have a wonderful weekend.
Nana Diana says
What a GREAT place to go apple picking. Can’t believe they let you use golf carts there. That is MY kind of apple picking. Those are some great family shots, too.
I found an easy way to put zippers into things years ago. I wish I could show you how to do it but it is too hard to try to explain. Maybe one day I will get around to doing a tutorial on it.
Please keep ALL THAT SNOW at your own house, thank you very much! I am NOT looking forward to the cold, snowy winter that they are predicting for us here.
Blessings- have a great week. xo Diana
Kimberley says
Hi Doreen! ๐
I could look at your New England photos and posts all day long…so lovely!
Apple picking is the best, the smells are amazing!
I sew and zippers scare me! I don’t do zippers…ever! I am so glad you got though it…zipper or no zipper I am sure they are beautiful and I can’t wait to see them!
Wishing you the happiest of weekends friend and a Happy Halloween!!
Hugs, Kimberley
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
i enjoy your fall photos as we are so slow to move in to it here in southwestern pa
i have never sewn a zipper yet / can’t wait to see the cushions! ๐
Cecilia says
Oh my word…snow. Send it here. I’m sick of the heat so I’ll swap. Gladly. Hope you’re not in for a horrendous winter but I guess you’ll be getting in BAM and heading south. Love the apple picking pictures. So pretty and I can just smell the cider and donuts. Sigh. Our trees are just starting to show a hint of color. We might have colorful trees by Thanksgiving if it doesn’t freeze and turn them brown first. Please enjoy some cool/cold weather for me and I’ll soak up the sun for you!
Hugs,
Cecilia
Rita C at Panoply says
Well, even snow looks pretty…..from where I’m sitting! Ugh. Glad you got to have some family fun before the party crasher came. Thanks for the recipes. PInning the turnovers. ๐ Happy Saturday.
tammy j says
good lord.
sarissa could be a model. seriously.
then they could move from Singapore
and she could be back home enjoying our illustrious campaign season.
and eating her mama’s apple pie and turnovers!
i’m sad to see your autumn posts come to an end. I’ve loved every one.
we have never gotten out of the 80’s and 90’s here. NO leaves turning colors.
no rain. so they all are just BROWN and dry. and will blow off the trees that way.
just like the last THREE YEARS. I guess we no longer have autumn here.
if we were florida or some other ‘constant summer’ state I would understand and accept it.
but I always live in hope. climate change is REAL.
some time in late December or January it will suddenly just become winter.
even your early snow looks delightful. I won’t tell you how I feel about this.
oh.
I just did. well.
it’s part of why I quit the peanut I guess. apparently I can’t get over our climate change.
and the disappearance of my most favorite season. so NEVER think I was bored with your posts!!!
actually even when your posts are not about autumn… they’re ALWAYS spectacular.
and seriously??? you made those beautiful little totally professional looking make up pouches!!! WOW.
now I have to see the seat cushions! don’t tease us. xoxoxoโฅ
Poppy says
What a fun time you had apple picking in the beautiful Berkshires! I’m sure it was extra special having your family there. Your pics are gorgeous, and your favourite spot is stunning!! There’s something about that oasis of blue water surrounded by the spectacular autumnal abundance that just translates into pure paradise!
xx
Poppy
Pinky says
I have never been apple picking. Maybe cause my fave is Gala apples so just get them at the grocery:) Looks like you had a fun time with family and that is what it’s all about. LOOOOOVE apple pie. YUM!!!!!!!!!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
You guys have so much fun out and about! I was never brave enough to try a zipper…
Brenda
Jane says
You can keep posting those glorious fall pictures as long as you like, Doreen. I never realized how beautiful your part of the country is! The mountains remind me of Asheville. Your family pics are great, you all look like you’re having so much fun. We used to take the kids apple picking in Michigan..seems like it was yesterday.
I think its great that you push yourself with sewing. I couldn’t get past threading the damn machine! I can’t wait to see the cushions.
Snow in October! Scrappy as our weather is here I don’t think that’s ever happened. I wonder if your veggies survived. Today is 70 here. We’ll probably have a tornado.
Happy Weekend!
Jane
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
The colors just burst off the screen Doreen!! Gorgeously beautifully bright photos!! (I could even through in a few more adjectives! :P) And those are some healthy trees! Look at all of those apples – holy apple picking Batman!!
Your daughter and family are so beautiful!! And I’ll share your sandwich pal – talk about yum! And your “special spot” almost made me catch my breath it was so pretty. ๐
But I can’t believe you have snow already! Egads Lady – too early even for me…. “Captain Christmas Carols”. Well, it’s just time to embrace it I guess. Snuggle in. Light a fire. Make up some cozy soup or chili. And start browsing Christmas catalogs (while you listen to holiday music – wink wink).
Have a great weekend Hon! xoxo
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
PS: through = throw I do know how to spell, honest. ๐
Kim says
Our apple orchards are total tourist traps this time of year and there are no golf carts. I want to come do fall where you are!! ๐ Ps..I had to put in a zipper one time. I was completely traumatized and have not come close to once since!!
Dewena says
Speaking of sooooo cute, Sarissa is darling! She sure was eye candy at the apple orchard, Doreen.
And the apple orchard sounds like it’s from a storybook. And no way am I tired of seeing your New England autumn. Got to check out that apple pie now. I pretty much gave up trying to bake one after seeing Gourmet magazine, before it shut down–which still upsets me–recommend Costco’s as tasting as good as homemade.
Snow on the cabin? Wasn’t it just yesterday that you were planting spring flowers?
Amy says
Snow? I. Just. Can’t. With any luck, we will not see that white stuff till December! Glad you had a fun time with the family at the apple orchard! Great photos!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Snow? So early? Lucky you had been apple picking before!
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Your pictures are gorgeous as usual. I used to live up by Hood River, Oregon, which is an apple growing area but never did go apple picking. I should haave! You had so much fun! I stopped a few times at the orchard stands and bought fresh, so guess that is second best! Go to YouTube and search for videos on sewing a zipper in a pillow… there are alot of good ones and keep looking until you find one easy to follow. I’ve found many on sewing zippers into bags and purses, but haven’t tried a pillow yet. Good luck! I lOVE YouTube for tutorials on how to do things. Marilyn
Summer says
Looks so fun! Nice photosโฅ
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Doreen, I love your “special place” it is gorgeous!…Looks like you all had a wonderful time…would love the experience of picking apples with the aid of a golf cart!….Sorry about the snow and your veggies!….We were traveling back home from Maine and went through a snow storm when traveling through Connecticut..what a shock!…
kelly says
OMG! Snow already?! It’s as if you and l live on two different planets right now. It was in the 80’s here today. I wore a sleeveless top, shorts and sandals. It has been hot here since summer. We’ve only had a few cool days but then they quickly disappeared and the heat returned. i love all the pretty Fall pics you shared. It’s like paradise! It looks nothing like that here (because it still feels like summer). Enjoy your beautiful views.
AnnMarie says
Gorgeous pictures in this post! Looks like you had a fun time. Even though I live in apple country here in NY, I have never gone to pick apples. I guess I am lazy and like to just pick out which bag I want! I thought I had the best apple pie recipe ever but maybe I will try yours too. I still have not made an apple pie this Fall. We had a dusting of snow and all my garden dรฉcor is still out there too!
Cindy says
SNOW, I wish I got to reading this sooner. nd a golf cart when apple picking we never had the ability to have one of those you luck girl. The apple looked great!
You poor thing spend all that time on the zippers. It had to be a bit frustrating. I’m sure they look great. I hope you show them.
By the way Roast Beef and horseradish is one of my favorite sandwiches too.
Cindy
Vashti Q says
Hello Doreen! Gorgeous pictures! I don’t know about anyone else but I enjoyed the pictures very much. The apple trees are beautiful. I’m so happy you’ve got your daughter and family with you for the holidays. <3 xx