Road Trip - Bountiful Apples

Today on the spur of the moment my sister and I decided to go on a road trip. What a perfect day it was - warm and sunny and where could we go and what could we do..hmmm October - of course APPLES! So off we went!

We ended up going to Mont. St. Hilaire. To think it is only a 40 minute drive  and I have never been there. There are loads of apple orchards there - seems like the soil around the mountain is very suitable to apple trees. Makes for some very happy apples. red, plump and juicy!

We were not the only ones to get this brainstorm idea. Loads of families were making the trip. 

Many of the orchards even had farm animals to pet, swings etc. and picnic tables where you could bring your own food. I had no idea it was such a whirlwind of activity. One family had quite a set up with wine and hot meals! Then there were the tractors pulling beds full of people out to the orchards eager for their picking adventure. We of course headed to the baked good venue - hot apple pies, breads, and piping hot apple donuts with a swig of apple cider (non-alcoholic - driving of course).

After our shopping spree we headed to Otterburn Park just the next village over from St. Hilaire for some lunch. We found a wonderful little charcuterie owned by a chef who sells meats and also makes the most wonderful sandwiches on fresh mini baguettes.  After placing our order and drooling over the displays of food we hopped in the car and headed north along the Richelieu river for a place to stop and eat our bounty.

We found a beautiful little spot in another village that kindly had a little area of picnic tables right by the river and had our little lunch watching the ferry crossing and the occasional boat cruising the river.  After another visit to an orchard on the other side of the mountain where we had fresh apple fritters sprinkled with icing sugar - pure heaven - we head home. What a perfect fall day spent in the countryside. 

My bounty: homemade apple pie, apple bread,  ginger and lemon bread, croissants, almond croissants ( which I am just about to sink my teeth in), apple jelly and fruit ketchup.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday Stitching

It is that time of the year when I start gathering my things for our annual one week retreat to Maine. The ladies in my family have been doing this for at least 20 years. This year Mom, my sister Lorraine and I are heading south for the beautiful ocean beaches of Maine. For me it is one week of relaxation where I read, sketch and muse on some designs I would like to do. Along the way we seriously indulge in good food (anything fish - the most amazing donuts and anything else we can find that is yummy), talk and laughter. We treasure these times and appreciate them for what they are.

Needless to say I have to have my handwork ready to go. This year I am bringing my next release for Island Cottage - I am working, for the second time,with Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk. I used it for the first time on my design May Flowers (release date May 15th) so cannot show you a picture. I loved the feel of it and the richness of the colour. I found it has more of a similarity to my wool than cotton does. I guess it is the softness and the texture. I always thought silk would be cost prohibitive but you get 12 strands vs 6 in cotton. It is still twice the price of cotton but so worth it. I am using a 35 ct spring green called Guacamole from Weeks Dye Works.. I just love the names people use for their colours! My contribution is my hand dyed wool called Tantramar Marsh (this is a marsh that runs between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) Peter's grandmother lived here most of her life and painted the old barns on the marsh. It is one of my favourite places.

I am excited to get this one started and done - and of course our trip will include jaunts to Halcyon Yarns, Dorr Mills,  King Arthur Flour and any other interesting/crafty place we come across. Just hope we have the time to pack it all in! Bon Voyage....

Meeting Earl

I can't believe it is September. Where did the summer go??

Well finally off to our holidays tomorrow. Going to bask in the sun, eat lobster and stroll the beaches. In between that I am going to try to finish a rug and start another one. Also have some knitting and cross stitch to do. Then again I may not do anything but eat, sleep and read.

Unfortunately there is Earl waiting to give me a rough start to the holiday. I'll either be on the Island Saturday morning before they close down the bridge (if they close it down) or I will be hunkered down in Moncton waiting for the storm to roll through. We'll see what happens as no one is quite sure 100% where it will hit.

Anyway I am prepared and bought myself a pair of authentic British wellies! One of my favourite candies Bassets All Sorts (has to be Bassets). So I am going to sit in a hotel -  in front of the TV - order in and hunker down for the storm with my pretty wellies on my feet. As soon as the car shakes I head for the hills..or in this case a hotel.

G'nite Joni

Now this is a beach!

I love travelling vicariously through someone else's photos.
So I could not fit myself in my brother's suitcase but my sister-in-law's brother (Manny) was kind enough to post these pics of Crete, Greece. The beach is in Elafonissi. I am sure he will not mind that I have used them here. The water looks unbelievable and it is probably too hot for me but what can I say - I think I could bear the heat if I was presented with such gorgeous surroundings. Manny I will be there next year LOL... My nephew enjoying a swim. Can you  believe the blue of this water.

Now this is what you call switchbacks - I had to look twice to see that indeed they were roads. Not something I would drive in the dark.

What a view - I did not realize it was so mountainous.

And this little pup is having his afternoon siesta which is basically what the whole country does - it being so hot.

Hmmmm one can only dream...........