A Weekend With a Jamie-Twist

My friend Jamie came visited me last year around this time, and we decided ages ago to repeat the fun. She flew in Friday and we've managed to pack in as much fall excitement as possible since then.

First, a trip to an orchard with the intent to drink cider, eat caramel apples, and go apple picking.

Unfortunately we were only 2 for 3, since that orchard didn't allow for any picking. Actually, we failed to see a single apple tree on the premises - a little suspicious. But we managed to eat our caramel apple and drink cider all the same, in addition to purchasing a bunch of apples to take home. Not a complete loss.

Here we are looking for apple trees. Do you see any?

After wine tasting and a tour at Oliver (mmm), we stopped for some specialty cheese and bread before heading back home. A classy appetizer for a football game, huh? But delicious. That evening we watched Michigan lose - again - and made what seems like gallons of applesauce. Thank you Sarah for the recipe! It is delicious, and I truly feel domestic after having made it. Who knew it would be so easy?

Sonic: We've Got It, Other's Don't

Do any of you Michiganders get frustrated to see Sonic commercials on TV, only to find out that the closest is in South Bend, IN? We always felt that way when we lived in Grand Rapids, and Bloomington used to be the same way. But when we returned to southern Indiana this summer we were thrilled to find that one cropped up in our backyard.

We therefore needed to make a pilgrimage to Sonic when our friends Patrick and Erin came down from West Michigan last month. This morning we learned that Jamie, who lives in D.C., has the same Sonic problem and was totally excited to try it out for the first time. She wasn't disappointed.
Today we headed over to the cute artist colony/tourist trap down the road for more fall fun, checking out the awesome colors on the way over. We enjoyed tasting fudge, knick-knack shopping, buying old fashioned candy, and (of course) trying on hats.
And did you notice what I was wearing in these pictures? Yes - that's right - LONG SLEEVES. And a puffy vest to boot! Yay for crisp, cool, fall temperatures. It is about time!