An apple a day

Although the day was overcast and a bit drizzly, not to mention chilly, we decided to make the trek south to an apple farm in Illinois to try our hand at picking some fresh apples.   I can't continue without mentioning our failed attempt several weeks ago at a farm close to Monroe.   We had high hopes when we went then and our experience there was far from unique.   It seemed a bit disorganized, it was hard to determine what fit our needs, and the person that was overseeing the place seemed like he wanted to be 100 other places than right there.   We left dejected and empty-handed with no produce.    Today, however, the experience was pretty amazing.   While the weather wasn't cooperating, the Edwards Apple Orchard in Illinois was teeming with people.   Fresh and hot apple cider donuts were being made, cider was being poured by the gallon-full, and the animals in the petting zoo were more than cooperative with us and the young kids running around.   I didn't expect to be able to pick apples due to the weather, but the rains ceased long enough for us to enjoy a family outing of apple pickin'.

Our daughter also had a great time looking for the perfect apples on the trees and kept describing each apple we picked as being a "mommy" or "daddy" due to their sizes.   I snapped this shot after she picked one of her prizes and was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out.   Even with less than perfect weather conditions and an overcast day, the lighting was just right and the trees helped frame my shot.   Now, the real project begins as we figure out how to utilize the 1/2 bushel of Jonamac apples we have crowding our countertop.