Everyone met at home for cinnamon rolls and coffee. I also made these pumpkin smoothies, based on Pioneer Woman's recipe. I really wanted to try these, but I didn't have pumpkin pie filling, so I used the frozen pumpkin I'd roasted earlier, and added my own sweetners. They were really good! I think this recipe is a keeper. Here is how I put them together if you'd like to try this version:
1 - 6oz can of pineapple juice chilled
Pour pineapple juice into larger measuring cup and add enough whole milk, half-n-half or cream to equal 3 cups (I used mostly half-n-half and then cream)
1 container of vanilla yogurt
1-1/2 to 2 c. frozen pumpkin
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. honey
Dash of vanilla syrup (if you have it)
Dash of maple syrup (if you have it)
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. allspice
1/4 t. ginger
Blend well and serve. I skipped the crushed graham crackers that Ree uses, but I did garnish with some freshly grated nutmeg. Anyone who tried some were pleasantly surprised at how good they were!
When we first arrived, Eckert's had a bunch of HUGE pumpkins for sale. Were they 60lbs? Were they 80lbs? 100lbs? There was a bit of a debate, but everyone agreed they were big. And a perfect photo op with 7-month old J....All the photos you see today were taken and/or edited by my daughter-in-law, A. I had no idea her photography skills, but they are great! Don't you love when you find out something new about someone you already know and love well? I LOVE when that happens!
Dude, I look good with these pumpkins.
I like these BIG pumpkins!
Are these pumpkins bigger than me?
I think I'm done with these pumpkins. Is it time for apples yet?
We were able to pick Golden and Red Delicious. We aren't really Red Delicious fans any more - they didn't used to be as mealy - but we enjoy Goldens for eating and cooking. We are making apple sauce in the crock pot as I type this, in fact. G likes to make it with Red Hots. When was the last time I bought Red Hots? Some of my kids might not have been born the last time I did...
Here is a still life of G with Apples. This one came out rather artsy, don't you think? Even the leaves are nicely soft with fuzzy edges in the front. Kewel.
A has skills. She caught B in the orchard WITH a smile!
Here's the new young family introducing J to apples....
Poor, little guy wasn't feeling well by this time - even running a little fever. Mommy and Daddy gave him a bit of Tylenol while we were in the orchard. But he was a trooper, even playing with a little apple just about his size..
Here is everyone who was able to be together this year. I want us to take a pic in the orchard every year we are able to do this together.
G, me, K, J, S, B, Grandma and S&A in the back!
After apple picking, we drive farther up the river road to the Wittmond Hotel which has been around since 1847. They do a family style fried chicken and roast beef dinner that is tasty and makes you feel like you're stepping back in time. I really like their corn relish, and my mother always enjoyed the peach preserves they serve at the beginning. Their homemade noodles are a highlight.
On the drive there, I was reminded of a story I had all but forgotten about from an apple picking trip when my oldest son, S was about 5 years old. Back then, we would typically go to Pierre Marquette or a restaurant in Grafton for breakfast before apple picking. S was fascinated by the little jelly packets on the tables - we didn't have these at home! - so he proceeded to store a bunch in his pants pockets. Yes, I am THAT mom that didn't notice this activity! On our way back, we stopped at the old locks and dam at Alton, in part, because my Dad was always fasinated with the engineering - which is pretty cool, by the way, if you've never stopped to take a close look. Anyway, back to the story. Since S is still a little guy at this time, both grandmothers picked him up so he could see over the wall - only to find his pants very sticky! Cause strawberry jelly packets in little boys' pants often times bust open. Whodathunk it? I'm glad that story got retold. And now I've put it in this blog, so you can enjoy it! And harass S if you happen to know him! (I love you, son!)
To get to the Wittmond, you have to cross the Illinois River, and there is no bridge. So you cross the ferry.
And this was G's first ferry ride. So we made sure we got out of the car to look around a bit, and since G has never met a stranger, he struck up a conversation with the second man in the pic, too.
So it was a lovely day of firsts. The first time to taste pumpkin smoothies. The first time to go apple picking together in a long time. The first time for J to visit an apple orchard. The time for G to ride a ferry and go to Wittmond Hotel. The first time for me to find out about A's photography skills.
I like firsts. And I like apples. Good stuff.
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