Connecticapples

This weekend was a CT one, and we headed down on Friday night after work and school for a weekend of apple picking, good food, and good visit with family. And we were three for three....

There's always so much to talk about after a weekend in CT, but there never seems to be enough time or effort for me to encapsulate it all. So I will try to hit on the big points.

On Saturday morning I had a fantastic run through some hilly farmy streets while we waited for Nannie, Upbob, Papa, Grammie, and Joanne to arrive for apple picking. Then we made our way over to Homberg Orchards, which is the first Asian-owned apple orchard I have ever heard of and been to--it was funny to see all the signs for picking in Vietnamese. What made this cool, however, was that they had some interesting apple varieties there, one in particular being "Musco," an Asian strain that looks like a granny smith, but has a really crisp and sweet (not at all bitter) flavor. And they had some interesting Asian types of pears too. So we got on the tractor, took a little ride, and just watched as the boys had their way with the apple trees....


We call this picture "the blood."
And this one we call "the outlaws."
It was a beautiful day--kind of warm actually. That has always been my observation with fall; people seem to try to "rush" it in a way that beckons them to usher it in before summer is really over--it is like we have this "sensor" that tells us that once Sept hits, summer MUST be over and fall must be here. Wardrobes change so rapidly; we see people at the orchard in sweaters, fleeces, etc...like they are trying to create a certain mood by dressing for fall. But the funniness of it all is that it was most definitely a summer day! In addition to apples, both the boys got pumpkins to bring home, and Anthony hired a forklift to transport all the pumpkins he bought...haha. He also got some cornstalks as well. This, as my dad and I were saying, really pisses us off--not the fact that Twon got stalks....but because he had to PAY for them. What a sham. Farmers making people pay THEM to take THEIR trash away for them. Kind of funny. Hey...good for the farmers, ya know?

Mommy and Callum....and you can get a sense of how big little *&$^#@* is getting inside mumma's belly ( Dec 7th due date!)
In addition to apple picking, we had a great BBQ back at Chateau Favry, where Anthony made some delicious marinated tomatoes (from his garden), and we enjoyed some great dips. Papa brought some bupke (a Jewish cinnamon bread) and some Knishes to eat as appetizers. I love the food of my people.....

Anthony and I played a hot game of Bocce, we enjoyed some college football on tv, and ate some delicious burgers, dogs, orzo salad, and a million other things. That night, the girls went out to Kohl's to buy crap they dont need, and Anthony and I cuddled on the couch toggling between the Michigan State-Notre Dame game AND the 30th anniversary broadcast of AIRPLANE (dont call my shirley...)

Callum and Jackson enjoyed their time together, as usual. Last night before bed, they took in an episode of Elmo's world, and they held hands in counsinly love....
There's lots more I am sure....

Always a great time to get together. And I think we are going apple picking in just a few more days...again! Fun times