Apple Picking

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to Carter Mountain, near Charlottesville, to go apple picking. (Yes, I know, I am way behind on this blog - lots of posts coming soon!!!) Last year was our first trip here, and as luck would have it, we picked a rainy, cold October day. It was still fun, but cold and muddy. So, this year, we plan a trip on a Sunday afternoon in October and {surprise!} it is cold and rainy. Deciding that this should be our new tradition, we went ahead and loaded up the truck for the hour-long drive. About ten minutes away from the orchard, a miracle occurred......it stopped raining! Really. The clouds cleared from the sky and the sun shone bright. Although we still had to battle the muddy fields (our boots took care of that!), we had a wonderful outing. We picked about 30 pounds of apples, which Josie and I made quick work of, by preparing two apple pies and numerous quarts of applesauce. Yummy!

Cute Quote of the Day

I enter the room to see Josie writing in a calendar - scribbling in several of the daily 'blocks'. I asked her what she was doing. Her reply? "Mom, I'm just marking in all of the holidays: fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, snowy, and all the others."

Applesauce

I like to make my own applesauce. I owe it all to grandma. She is tirelessly making applesauce, cookies, pickles, vegetable soup....you name it, she probably grew it and then made it! So, a little over a year ago I purchased an apple corer/peeler and ever since, I have been hooked. Homemade is no much better that store-bought. Josie has taken to the same love of good, old-fashioned applesauce. In fact, she insists on helping me make it. And, although we eat just about as many apple pieces as we cook, we have a great time making it together. I think Josie's favorite part is eating it afterwards - just look how yummy:

The Bike

Earlier this summer Josie got a big girl bike. As a belated birthday present, Aunt Amy and Uncle Pat took Josie to pick out a bike. It is big....well, for a three-year-old. 16 inches and PINK! Josie thinks it is about the best thing in the world. Seeing the joy she exudes while riding it, I think I will have to agree. But, don't take my word for it. Please, judge for yourself:

Cute Quote of the Day

When Josie woke up this morning, I was laying on the couch, reading a none-to-interesting ethics book for one of my graduate classes (but, I digress). She came to me and cuddled up (one of my favorite times of the day!). Then, out of the blue, she said: "I like the word throw-up, but I don't like to throw-up!" When asked to elaborate on this revelation she just smiled and said, "I don't feel like talking about it." And that was it. End of conversation.

Today's "Cute Quote"

The garbage truck just came by to pick up the trash. Josie enjoys watching them out the window weekly. Today she said, "The dump truck doesn't take our can, they just take the trash and take it in the dump truck and put it in a pile of dump".

Kings Dominion

Last weekend, Tim, Josie and I were invited to a "friends and family day" at Kings Dominion. We have lived in Richmond for approximately 8 years and have never visited. So, on a lovely, warm, and breezy Sunday morning, away we went. And, while we did not get a chance to ride any of the adult rides, Josie and friends had a marvelous time flying airplanes, conquering pirate ships, and hugging Dora. What a wonderful day. The excitement is pictured below.

Piloting the airplane with Kaden in tow:

Ahoy, matey! Enjoying the flying pirate ship:

Meeting Little Bill - rather hesitant:

Hanging with Uniqua - a little more comfortable:

Greeting Dora - pretty good:

With Dora, again - now that is true love!

Thanks for inviting me, Kaden!