(Warning, if reading about vomit makes you unhappy, don’t read this post.) We went apple picking for the first time, and despite the steady flow of kid vomit; it was a success! That’s right, super gross-out backseat vomit on the way up the mountain (apparently, I’m not the only one in the family who gets a little motion sickness from time to time…). Anyway, we went to Carter Mountain Orchard, which is about an hour and a half drive from our house, but well worth it. It’s right next to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and quite literally right next door to the historic Michie Tavern.

This is one of our favorite drives (from Fredericksburg to Charlottesville) on old country roads, through hilly, green, grassy areas laden with really beautiful, historic Virginia estates. Love it. Then the barfing starts up in the backseat and it all quickly comes to a halt. After an abrupt pull over and spot clean, we’re back on the road. The orchard is on a big mountain (big by east coast standards, mind you) and as we begin our winding ascent, more cookies are tossed in the back seat. At this point, we’re thinking that we may have to cut our losses and rethink our apple extravaganza, but as we arrive and park, Miss Pukey Pants pipes up from the back seat in her semi-usual matter of fact tinged with a hint of ‘bossy’ tone, with “Can someone please clean me up so I can go pick apples?!”. Yep. And so the apple extravaganza was back on.

This does not look like a kid who just lost her breakfast. Unless you factor in her outfit. What do you wear when you no longer have a passable shirt? All the clean coats from the way back of the car. And how do you put jeans that are soaked in vomit back onto a kid for apple picking fun? Wrap her in paper towels first and pull the wet jeans on over the paper towel mess. (Plus you have to have a super tough kid who really wants to pick apples.)

Picking was super fun. We know better now what to bring for next time. Ironically, in Washington we never went apple picking ourselves, unless it was to someone’s house or something. We somehow always just had access to a crate someone else had brought over from eastern WA or something. Anyway, now we know the routine. We brought a picnic and had our lunch after the picking.

…and of course, sampled some of the goods…

We read a story about a tractor in the gift shop where we bought some wonderful cider doughnuts that were made onsite (I think) and a gallon of the most expensive and best tasting cider I’ve ever had.

It was a fun time and I would for sure go back there for another picking session…I think peaches late Spring…??? Anyway, the kids had a good time, the people were friendly, the prices were fair and the donuts and cider were so tasty!

And once we got this home, we went into an apple frenzy in the kitchen that lasted several days…

First, apple pie…

I’ve never made a beautiful apple pie. I usually just randomly jab at the edges with my fingers before I put it in the oven because then I feel like I made an attempt at a nice edge, even though I truly have no intention of learning the art of nice pie edges….at least not yet. It tastes great though, and really, that’s all I care about.

Apple granola….

Of course, apple sauce…

I’ve seen some recipes that call for water and sugar, but I don’t use a recipe and I definitely don’t add water or sugar. Along with some lemon juice and cinnamon; I just throw in some really good apple cider and it does the trick perfectly.

The girls won’t even eat store bought apple sauce anymore, so that makes all this worth while.

And we made dried apple rings in the oven on stones because all my drying racks are coated with something weird.

OMG…yes, I said it…this was so not worth it. Below is one whole batch from the oven. They tasted great, but lots of effort for little reward.

The girls had tons of fun eating the skins and feeding them to the dogs. Whenever the apple peeler comes out of the cupboard, the kids get all apple skin ravenous and it’s best to just stay out of their way.