Day 10: Nature

Me in nature.  Contemplating a spring in Oak Glen.  :)

Oak Glen Photos

I haven't updated in so long!  I've been entirely too busy.  Over a month and a half ago, we went to Oak Glen with David, Robyn, and Ivy.  We picked raspberries and ate Apple Cider Doughnuts.  YUM!  Here are some photos!

:)

Homemade Spiced Applesauce

A trip to Oak Glen this weekend resulted in a 5 dollar bag of grainy, somewhat mushy Arkansas Black apples. Although I was disappointed, and after I chucked two whole apples in the trash can, I was determined to do something with the rest. What can you do with a bunch of bad apples? I decided to make some applesauce. Here is the recipe I came up with, and, if I may say so myself, this is an extremely tasty and easy recipe!

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. Pure Maple Syrup (NOT THE FAKE STUFF!!!)
1 tsp. Pure Vanilla
1/8 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
5-10 Apples (5 big or 10 small), peeled, cored, and diced
1/4 cup 100% Apple Juice
Cooking Spray

Directions:
Heat a large skillet on medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Add apples. Add apple juice. Add all spices. Add Maple Syrup and vanilla. Heat until apples are very, very soft, stirring often. Turn off heat. Mash slightly with a potato masher. Don't over mash...make sure there are still some chunks in the apple sauce. Enjoy warm or chill for a cold treat! Serves 6.

Oh, and one more tip: If you want to make some YUMMY apple cinnamon oatmeal, just add 1/2 cup applesauce to 1/2 cup plain instant oatmeal and 1 cup water. Add 1 more tablespoon of Maple Syrup and 1/2 a teaspoon more of Ground Cinnamon. Stir. Heat in the microwave for 4 minutes. Stir again. Serve with cold milk. Makes about 4 servings.

Jackson's 2nd Birthday

Saturday was a big day for our little boy. He turned two. And, as excited as a little boy could be, his parents were even more so because this was the first birthday that Jackson understood what was going on!
We had a full day of celebration. Most of the family went up to Oak Glen to the Hawk's Head Public House, a restaurant on Riley's Farms (the ORIGNIAL Riley's---not the one next to it that split off to get business on Sundays). Jackson had so much fun playing with his cousins on the grounds of Riley's. There was a bridge to cross, which provided a really good photo spot, and also a little pond with a dock. There were a bunch of walking sticks that the boys used as pretend riffles, and a whole lot of grass to roll in. We bought a big pumpkin for a dollar there and a bad batch of apples for 5 dollars. Of course, we wouldn't have bought them if we knew they were bad (more on that later...).
Next, we headed back to our house for some pizza, presents, and cake. It was great fun to watch Jackson's expressions as he opened all his gifts. By the way, I seriously don't think I could fit anymore toys in my house! He is truly a blessed little boy and has no shortage of toys and books! Jackson looked forward to blowing out his candles on his "Happy Cake" (as he called birthday cake....isn't that adorable?), and when it came time to do it, he was so excited! When he blew, though, he couldn't quite get enough air out to actually blow out the candles. It somehow took the help of his daddy and all his cousins to get the job done!
At the end of the day, we had a living room full of new toys and other gifts, a 1/2 eaten Costco cake, cold pizza in the oven, and a very tired, but extremely happy 2-year-old boy!

The Hawk's Head had really good apple cider. We ordered Jackson a child size and it came in this cute mug with the ABC's on it!
Jackson wasn't too sure about a man wearing knickers singing happy birthday to him. I can't say I blame him.
Troy and I with the birthday boy!
Jackson and his cousins!
Jackson was very impressed with all the leaves on the ground.
How do all boys like pretending that sticks are guns?
Our Family @ Oak Glen
The Family @ Oak Glen
...and again in front of the Hawk's Head Public House/ Chesterfield Colonial House.
Jackson opens David and Robyn's gift...a blow up Lightning McQueen bed, which he slept in that night!
Jackson opens a gift from Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Tim...a Mega Bloks fire truck. He is all about fire trucks right now!
Jackson gets some assistance with blowing out his candles.
The End.

A Fall Favorite: Oak Glen

Fall is my favorite season. I love the smell of apple crisp and pumpkin bread baking, and wassail brewing. I love the cool wind that blows on occasion. I love the falling leaves. A place that brings all these special things together is Oak Glen. Troy and I were able to take Jackson last week to experience Oak Glen for the first time. David, Robyn, Scott and Rachel, and their little boy Brendan joined us as well. Jackson loved it (of course---it is outdoors!). He got the whole experience, too. He ate pea soup and a grilled cheese sandwich at Law's Diner. He walked through a pumpkin patch and picked out his own pumpkin, and he even got to feel the very cool, fall breeze (about 50 degrees to be exact!). We all had a wonderful time! Perhaps Jackson will love Autumn as much as Troy and I do!

Falling for Fall, Aching for Autumn

Oak Glen is calling my name. I hear its gentle whisper in the fall breeze! Troy and I have made it a tradition to go every year. We usually go to eat at Law's Cafe (they have great soup and pie there) , go to Riley's (the original farm...they don't charge for parking), visit Yodeling Merle, and pick up some sweet Spartan apples to make apple crisp. It is my favorite thing to do to welcome in the Fall. The unfortunate thing is that I can't walk around that much right now due to swelling. I must quiet that beckoning and wait until after Jackson is born to go! I'm sure Jackson will be thrilled to accompany his parents on a Autumn adventure! By the time we get to Oak Glen, though, I'm sure it will be very late in the season. Lets hope they don't run out of apples!