Temperatures dipped considerably last week, and it felt like fall instead of summer for the very first time. We decided to get in the spirit this weekend and drive up to nearby Apple Hill–a concentration of ranchers and growers in the Sierra Nevada foothills, halfway between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. A sunny Saturday in October, two weekends before Halloween meant we were certainly not alone in our quest for Cider donuts, crisp apples, cider, and pumpkins. The area is so vast, however, that there were plenty of places both busy and quiet to enjoy–and we found just what we were looking for, in abundance.
A few of our favorite stops:
Smokey Ridge Charcuterie (Grower #133), where we picked up a bag of Mutsu apples and a picnic of pates and duck prosciutto to go. They had delicious jams and mustards for sale and ripening chestnut trees for U-Pick around the barn.
Rainbow Orchards (Grower #10), where delicious cider donuts are only come made-to-order. So warm and fresh and wonderful.
Apple Ridge Farm (Grower #20), which had a little pumpkin patch, hay maze, and petting zoo for Hudson to enjoy–but was sort of a zoo itself. Still, it was a great stop for Hudson.
Something I was really hoping I might run into at the Alameda Flea was an under-appreciated stash of Architectural pottery. No such luck. I think folks are pretty tuned in to these planters’ appeal (and value): a pair of vintage pots is on sale on 1st dibs for $1600. Vessel makes new ones in the $300 range, but that’s still wild! Aren’t they beautiful, though? I’d just take the plain white cylinder like he’s holding. Nothing fancy. Okay?
Here are some other things I’ve been thinking about sharing this week:
Hudson loves to sit in the backyard and watch the birds fly over at dusk. He even “caws” with the crows. I think he’d love this Flensted Swallow mobile
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On the subject of his room, I toyed with the idea of going all out nautical with the whole Hudson theme, but it turns out “no-theme” is probably more my style.
A tutorial for painting over laminate–i.e. your Ikea Lack side table.
Not that any of us should really be making donuts, but these kind are my favorites!
I finally have a frame for this lovely cacti print. I just have to get over my commitment issues and start hanging things!
This playhouse turned out so pretty! Aron and I both had playhouses growing up and would love to set one up for Hudson. (This one is pretty cool and would be era-appropriate. If only it weren’t so pricey!)
Interested in killing an hour browsing through wonderful old images? Try your luck here.
We’re feeling nostalgic about the autumn weekends we spent at the Kaaterskill, celebrating Aron’s birthday. It’s nearly that time of year again. I wish we could sneak off there.
And finally, we chose a Halloween costume for Hudson and I can barely contain myself. (He’s going to be so sweet!) But wasn’t it just a few months ago that he was a little infant shark?? What plans do you have in the works?
I’ve been trying to convince myself that a few bites of dark chocolate or a piece of fruit will do for dessert, to no avail. Lately, all I want at the end of the day is ice cream. Ice cream sandwiches, to be precise.
We’ve been going through boxes of It’s Its like they’re going off the market–which is highly unlikely since they’ve been around since 1928. Oh yes, and there’s a reason: it’s the perfect ratio of real ice cream, crunchy oatmeal cookie, and dark chocolate coating. They’re so delicious!
I had actually forgotten about this classic California treat (the real San Francisco treat), but recently, while browsing the frozen section, I spotted something else interesting. Cool Haus, a food truck that starting making rounds in New York City the summer I was pregnant and thus has always held a special place in my heart, had distributed their ice cream sandwich.
So it felt like a meaningful gesture when, instead of reaching for the New York Cool Haus “Mintimalism,” I reached for the Calfornia Mint Chocolate It’s It instead.
I wish I could say–in equally loaded language–that I haven’t looked back. But then I wouldn’t have these photos for you.
P.S. My father-in-law suggested that It’s Its are best when they’re fresh from the factory and the cookies are fresh. You can schedule a direct pick-up if you’re local! I’ve yet to try this, but I think an order with some dry ice might be in our future.
