Apples and cousins

Last weekend (actually it was 10 days ago--October is FLYING by), we picked apples with Grama Leslie and Grampa Dan. They are expert gleaners and aren't afraid to ask around for post-harvest picking permission. Afterwards, Grampa Dan made his weekly Saturday night pancakes for dinner and we played with cousins. Warm fresh apple pie was also involved. The only thing missing was Jeff, who was home sick. My current best coping mechanism for dealing with a sick husband is to leave him alone, though, so it worked out nicely: he got a quiet afternoon/evening at home to rest, and we had fun with family. The best part of living near relatives is the impromptu, everyday bonding. We like it.

Before we left for apple-picking (on the way out the door, actually), the kids just HAD to rake the smattering of leaves into individual piles. Jay made his own little leaf nest, then Rose made one for Amber and then another one for herself. Since we weren't in a big hurry, I basked in the soft sunshine and watched them play for a while before we headed off to apple it up.

Amber likes to trade spots: I give her the camera, and she gives me the swing. She looks so cute and funny holding our giant heavy camera up to her eye and clicking pictures. She actually got me in this one! 

 Three kids, three nests. A few days later, we saw a dog trot into our yard and pee right in the middle of Jay's leaf nest! The next day, our yard was mowed and the leaves blew away. Plenty more leaves have fallen in their place since!

On our way to Grampa Dan's house, we stopped at a roadside pay-on-you-honor pumpkin patch. I mostly wanted to take a pumpkin picture, but I thought we might pick up some pumpkins too. We had all picked out pumpkins before I realized that Jeff was home sick, and we ALWAYS pick out pumpkins all together every year. So I made the kids put their pumpkins back and we left empty-handed, to await the return of Jeff's good health. (and the pumpkins were ridiculously overpriced, and our friends grow a pumpkin patch and give away pumpkins...basically this stop was kind of pointless, haha, except for the satisfying rows of round orange pumpkins)

 At last we made it to Grandview, where we teamed up with Dan and Leslie to pick 200 pounds of apples in 15 minutes flat. I always have plenty of extra apples to give away when we go picking, because everyone picks SO MANY, SO FAST.

Back to the Westridge Drive homestead, a quick call alerted us to the imminent arrival of The Cousins. Jay, Rose, and Amber dashed out the front door and across the neighborhood to meet them and join them on their walk to Grama and Grampa's house. Since Amber is only 2, I followed to supervise her street crossings. She supervised Grayce (who's 1 year younger). 

 Post pancakes, the kids had the best giggliest time sliding down the stairs on a crib mattress.

 Pile on Grama!

 I sat with this cute guy and squooshed his chubs. Cole is a charmer.

We drove home into the sunset.

Ten days later I am finally getting around to processing those apples. It feels like more work every year! Somehow I always manage to forget the tedium in the 11 months between apple-time. This morning I listened to Wuthering Heights on audiobook while I toiled over the apple-ing. I have been listening to it for a few weeks now, and it is hilarious, entertaining, with enough gothic tones to make it a grand October read (or listen).

 Speaking of harvest, I finally got around to salvaging my tomatoes this morning too. We've already had at least two freezes, but I figured I'd harvest what I could to see if they ripened in a paper bag like my friend said. Time will tell!

 My three $2 Walmart seedlings did better than I expected! I wonder if planting them earlier next year will yield more RED tomatoes.

20 pounds of green tomatoes--if only they will ripen, we'll have salsa! 

 Also of note: this tree. Golden glory.

 My view from the tomato patch as I harvested this morning.

 Not bad, October.