Where the trees are...

I feel like it was just yesterday that I was bemoaning the transition from summer to fall, and here winter is already (technically) just around the corner.

Beginning the season off right, we performed our annual family trek to Hanna, IN to purchase trees from our favorite Christmas tree farmer.

As usual, it was worth the drive to be able to wander around through rows of evergreens, seeking out photo ops and of course searching for that perfect tree.

Though our eldest son did not join us (he was occupied with Christmas activities elsewhere), the little guy had a blast helping Opa saw and drag the trees.

This year the weather was mild and not raining (yay) so I had the opportunity to get a great group shot.

Oh, the yule-tide memories.

Later that week, another seasonal transition had to be made.

This guy was begging to be turned into a yummy pie. This being a feat which I had never set out to accomplish, I decided it was worthy of a blog post :)

Thanks to the Pioneer Woman, I found a recipe to help me turn a pumpkin into a scrumptious pie.

First, we cut it in half.

Then we scooped out the guts (the boys' favorite part)

Of course we saved those seeds and enjoyed a delicious snack later in the day.

We cut the pumpkin into chunks, and steamed/boiled half in a covered pot, and roasted half (ran out of room in the pot!).

After they cooled, I pureed them in the food processor and set to work on the pie.
It wasn't the prettiest I've made, but it was delicious and worth the effort.

So, by now we've devoured our yummy pie (with 4 bags of extra pumpkin puree to spare in the freezer) and successfully decorated our new tree.

Season transition complete. Now we prepare to joyfully celebrate the advent of our Messiah.

Making Autumnal Memories

Yup. It's that crisp, wonderful, nutmeg-flavored time of year. I, like most midwesterners, try to make the most of the season, though it's not my personal favorite because it is only a harbinger of agonizingly chilly things to come...but let's not dwell on that. 

Remember that corn we grew in our garden this summer? Well it found a home this fall next to Timmy the scarecrow in front of our house.

We have had quite a few excursions this fall, all in the spirit of making the most of the season. And actually, this autumn in Chicago has been a glorious one, with strings of perfect, 65 degree days...these days have been begging to be filled with seasonal activities like pumpkin-patch-exploring, cider-sipping, apple-picking, and the like. 

We had a lovely time at the apple orchard with our friends and their children. This was special for me, because it was the first family group outing with other friends and their kids!

We had a perfect, crisp fall morning that quickly turned warm and had me wishing I had chosen shorts rather than jeans (the men in our group were smarter, apparently). 

 The boys had a blast (Will picking apples from trees, Link picking apples from the ground)

But they had more fun pulling each other in the wagon, and chasing those nasty yellow jackets.

Those apples were so tasty, most of them ended up in our stomach and none in pies. Ah well.

Last weekend we took advantage of another great fall weekend and rode 16 miles (with kids people, with kids!) on the Illinois Prairie Path. It was gorgeous, with the amber tree-lined paths highlighted gorgeously against the brisk blue autumn sky (made only a little less enjoyable by sounds of two unhappy boys squished on top of each other in a bike trailer for 3 hours during what should have been nap time).

After we conquered (well, we made it about half as far as SOME of us originally wanted to go) that trail, we headed to a lovely pumpkin farm nearby.

This trip was complete with corn maze, hay bales, LOTS of pumpkins, apple cider, donuts and rides!

A 3-yr old demonstrating his hulk-like strength

TWe sat, soaking in the golden light, the tangerine pumpkins, sipping the spiced apple cider, devouring unbelievably fresh and delicious donuts, just appreciating the moment.

Feeling thankful for food, family and fall fun...
and that first, heavenly bite of incredible cider donuts.

Hope your fall is treating you well!