We had beautiful weather this past weekend. The leaves are just starting to change into their stunning fall colors. It was a perfect day to spend time with family out doors. It was also a perfect day for a drive into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to visit our favorite orchard, Mercier.
For the low price of $15 the entire family got to ride the tractor, taste test as many apples as our stomachs would allow, pick a peck of apples, and pick out a pumpkin. We were encouraged to pick and taste as many apples as we wanted to ensure that our peck of apples consisted only of the kinds we liked. Madilyn loved that she was able to pick apples right off of the tree and eat them. She ate two entire apples while walking through the orchard. Unfortunately I did not think ahead to bring a small knife with me, so I was unable to do any taste testing because of my braces.
Caleb found the perfect pumpkin to use at the Life Bible Church pumpkin carving contest this coming weekend. Of course we all found something in the orchard store. We left with a trunk full of apples, fried pies, apple bread, honey, tea, cider, apple butter and so much more. I think that apple picking will have to become a new family tradition for the Lloyd’s.