Giving Thanks

I can say without a doubt that this past weekend was one of our best Thanksgivings in years.
First you must know that I am a chronic U-picker. I love the u-picks...it starts with the strawberries, moves into raspberries and blueberries and whatever vegetables we can find. But the season always ends with a trip to the valley to pick a hoard of apples and swing on over to Windsor to get some pumpkins from the famous Dill Farm. And yes we saw Mr. Dill again this year, standing on the porch watching all the families roam over his farm, having great picture taking moments. We were one of them.
This year was special for us. This year we had Nana and Papa Boland with us. We stopped at the Big stop for lunch and then proceeded to the fields to get 50lbs of apples. Yes, I said 50lbs of apples. How could I resist the "buy 4 bags get 1 bag free" offer. We got Cortlands, MacIntosh and Red Delicious. The kids ate about four apples each which is why they didn't want supper later on. Ha ha on them...we didn't want to cook anyways. Chinese take-out saved us...yes we were hungry later!
So,this week my kitchen will be filled with the smell of apples in all sorts of cooking states. I am planning to peel, chop and make sauce of at least 40lbs of apples. Hopefully the other 10lbs will be almost devoured by my hungry children. Don't be surprised if you get a bottle of apple sauce from the maritimes for Christmas!
I love the Fall. This is a tradition that will continue next year. Maybe we can get more family to come with us. More hands to help pick....