Photo Challenge: Apple Picking Pouty Lips

I'm linking up with the Paper Mama for the first time with my favorite photo….look at her little pouty lips…I love our little girl so much!

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Fall Firsts - Part I: Apple Picking!

This year, we've decided to nix our usual holiday travel plans:  Thanksgiving in Ohio, Christmas in Seattle.  We've been all over the place the last couple of years and its time for us to take a break.  In order to make the most of this decision we've made plans to do things around NYC that we have never done before.  Instead of focusing on how we'll be missing out on our family traditions, we've broadened our horizons to participate in local traditions, and we'll be creating some of our own traditions as well.

I am so happy that my in-laws came out for a visit this past weekend, together we were able to do a lot of things we'd never done before.  So without  any further delay, I present to you a short series of posts which I will call "Fall Firsts."

We left bright and early from our place in Washington Heights, with a bounty of fancy coffee drinks, fresh baked cinnamon rolls and banana muffins, and headed over to the GW Bridge into New Jersey.  The drive was stunning, even in Jersey you can find beautiful red, orange and gold leaved trees lining the highway.  About an hour and some change later, we arrived at Stonyhill Farm & Gardens in Chester, NJ.

Apple picking was a blast, not only did we experience this very traditional NYC annual pilgrimage, we were able to bring our best friends and my lovely in-laws.  The weather was gorgeous, maybe slightly too warm, but not worth a complaint.  Zion had a great time, and I think we must of all heard, "Ahhh-pull" or "Aaahpuh-pie" a million times, plus as an added bonus she got to ride in a little red wagon for the first time.  :)

Stonyhill also had a wonderful farmers market with apple cider donuts, hot and cold apple cider and other delightful items.  After buying 10lbs of apples, I couldn't wait to get home and make my first apple pie using this fantastic recipe I found.  And it turned out DELICIOUS!!

Are you staying home this holiday season?  What local traditions do you enjoy?

XO,

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Weekly Wrap Up

It was an excellent week.  Highlights: 1.  First DATE NIGHT with the hubs in like 6 months, seriously that is way too long!  2.  PEANUT BUTTER creme filled oreo cookies.  OMG.  Heaven in your mouth.  3.  I finally figured out how to take quality pictures using the iPHONE, lol, and I'm now having a blast with it.  And 4.  It is already UGG weather in NYC.  I'm not a fan of the cold, so the only thing that is making it better is: pumpkin bread, cinnamon sugar cookie lattes and snuggles with Jerry and Zion.

I'm jazzed for this weekend...Jerry's parents get here this afternoon for a weekend of fun, food, and our highly anticipated APPLE/PUMPKIN picking trip!

How did you week finish off?  Exciting weekend plans?

Much love,

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