Ryan, Chase, Sadie and I kicked off the weekend with a 4-mile walk before heading home to change and drive to Carrigan Farms in Mooresville. (FYI, we heard from Sadie’s vet on Friday and got great news! Two of her lumps were benign tumors and the mast cell tumor was low-grade and the vet thinks she moved it completely. HOORAY!)
(Chase’s face in that picture kills me! Ah!)
Apple-picking season began September 4 at Carrigan Farms and we learned last year that waiting until October means waiting a bit too long to pick apples. September is where it’s at for apples in this part of North Carolina and we arrived to find the orchard overflowing with Golden Delicious apples.
We had no trouble filling our large bag with perfectly ripe apples of all sizes and I have a feeling we’ll be eating apple pie, apple sauce and apple crisp in our house an awful lot in the coming days! (If you have any must-try apple-based recipes out there, please let me know. We’re clearly in the market and I’d like to try something new!)
Chase ended up sleeping for our entire adventure which suited us just fine. I fed him before we loaded him into his car seat and while I packed by baby carrier to wear him around the orchard just in case he was antsy, he ended up snoozing in the stroller the entire time.
In addition to the orchards, Carrigan Farms also has a petting zoo, so we made sure to pay a visit to the goats, sheep and adorable piglets before grabbing some apple cider to enjoy on the walk back to our car.
(I told Ryan I highly identified with that mama goat.)
Since Chase was being so cool, we decided to pop into a local Italian market on our way home to pick up lasagna and stuffed sausage meatballs for lunch.
If you live in the Lake Norman area, please make a trip to Ferrucci’s ASAP for some of the most fantastic Italian food around! We’ve had their eggplant parmesan and burrata cheese before and both were fantastic! The shop is tiny and located in an unassuming strip mall, but it’s absolutely worth a visit.
The rest of our Saturday was spent on the boat watching a local wakeboarding tournament before we crashed hard at home after dinner. When I say we crashed hard, I mean it! Chase and I fell asleep at 7 p.m. and Ryan joined us in our bedroom at 9 p.m. We slept until 6 a.m. and even though there were definitely some awake periods thrown into the mix in the middle of the night, I woke up feeling the most rested I have in a while. It was a fantastic start to our Sunday!
Ryan went to the gym right after we woke up so he could be home to stay with Chase while I took my turn and went to Pure Barre at 8 a.m. Once I made it home, Chase was ready for a feeding and nursed before we leashed Sadie up for a family walk around the neighborhood. We spent the rest of our Sunday around the house and Chase and I decorated for fall together (well, he hung out in the baby carrier…) and things already feel more festive around here!
I hope you guys had a great weekend!
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Looks like such a fun weekend! I live in the area and have been looking into apple orchards…I’ll def keep this one in mind!
Hi Julie!
We live in Charlotte, too! South Charlotte, though 🙂 I am going to try and fit in some apple picking in the next two weeks as per your recommendation. We’re from AZ so I didn’t know September was the time to apple pick!
Chase is adorable and you and Ryan seem to be adjusting to parenthood just wonderfully!! We have two little ones – a 3-year-old girl and a 2-year-old girl. This is for sure the hardest it’s been in a while LOL, but I know we’ll get through this slump and I’ll be wanting my little ones back!!!
Hope you have an awesome day!!
– Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Hi Sara! Definitely check out Charlotte Agenda’s article for lots of apple orchard options –> http://www.charlotteagenda.com/15183/apple-season-is-upon-us-pick-your-own-orchards-within-2-hours-of-charlotte/ We went to Windy Hill Orchard last year (but we went too late so all the apples had fallen) and think that orchard would definitely be worth another visit when the apples are actually ON the trees! http://windyhillorchard.com/ Carrigan Farms was a lot of fun, too!
Fun weekend and looks like your juggling everything really well with Chase which is great. Did your mom leave already? I had my mom for 3 mos after my son. I never wanted her to leave lol.
She left to spend the weekend in Raleigh with her sister but she came back on Sunday and will be here through the end of the week before heading home to Jacksonville. Having her here is AMAZING and I totally relate to you saying you never wanted your mom to leave! Totally in the same boat! I just wish my family lived closer!
What a fun weekend! I can’t wait to go apple
Picking soon!
When I make applesauce I add whole cinnamon sticks and let them simmer along with a little bit of fresh squeezed lemon juice! My applesauce is much more “earthy” than traditional sauce, because I keep the peels on just to maintain some nutrients 🙂 Most vitamins are boiled away but I’ll take what I can get! 😀
This looks like so much fun! This place is only about 45 minutes from me, I need to try to go in the next few weeks!
My neighbors used to have a summer home in North Carolina and every September they would bring back a bushel of apples for my family. I swear, Apple season is one of the best things about North Carolina!
Recently I made a pork dish in the crock pot with apples. Cover the bottom of crock pot with apple slices. Make slits in a pork roast about 3/4 of the way through, stick apple slices in, wrap in a few strips of bacon, sprinkle with brown sugar, and cook low for 6-7 hours. I added a 50/50 mix of Apple burbon bbq sauce and water. It was yum!
Oh man that sounds fantastic!!
Sounds like an awesome weekend! Family…apples…water time…LOTS of rest…workouts:) FUN!
This will be fun to do next year and look back on this years pictures!
I went apple picking this weekend too, although it was still unseasonably warm! Chase is getting so big already!
I love your fall decorations, how fun! I love apple picking and even though it has become more of “work” as part of our hard cider business, I still find it fun! My go-to apple recipe is this healthy apple crisp, it doesn’t taste healthy, but you can eat it for breakfast and not feel bad. Mm I have to make some again soon! I love apple season!
http://www.yakkafit.com/healthy-apple-crisp-recipe/
Apple picking is the best! Looks like such a fun weekend and I’m so glad to hear Sadie’s surgery went well!
I’ve actually never been apple picking and always wanted to try! I posted an apple recipe this morning so I’ll share it here: http://www.dietitianjess.com/blog/gluten-free-cinnamon-apple-pancakes
So glad to hear the good news about Sadie! PS Chase is turning into such a little man- looks like he is getting big in that first pic!
These look great! Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a fun weekend! I have never been apple picking before but it is definitely on my list of things to do this month.
P.s. I LOVE your dress in these pics!
To caption that photo: “got milk? Dad” oh I guess just mom!!
Looks like a great weekend!
Happy Sadie is well!!
Haha!!
Sounds like a fun and exciting weekend! Glad you were able to get out and enjoy it!
I love apple picking and always have. Just wait until Chase is old enough to try and climb for apples 😉
If you’re making lots of applesauce and still have no idea what to do with it when it gets a little cooler and more warm breakfast-y weather, try out this recipe: http://renaissancerunnergirl.com/apple-cinnamon-oatmeal-cake/
Sounds fun! I’ve been wanting to go apple picking for awhile, I can’t believe it hasn’t happened yet. I have my sights set on lots of fresh apples and mounds of apple crisp. Mmm…mmm….mmm
We made apple crisp last night! SO good!
One of my favorite recipes with apples – besides with anything pork – is Skinnytaste’s slow cooker Apple butter. It’s amazing on toast and in oats!
Making this!!! Thanks!
What a perfect festive, family fall weekend!!
We went on our first hike as a family of four–it was so beautiful & fun! <3
Yay for apple picking! We’re (hopefully!) taking our 16 month old this weekend and I’m pumped! I love random strip mall finds!
Glad you got good news about Sadie! Apple picking looks like so much fun–I usually just buy the already picked apples from our local orchard but next year I can picture taking our little one on an apple picking outing.
We had a great weekend too!
Its apple season in the mountains, but I haven’t gone yet! Sooon!!!
I make a yummy apple cinnamon baked oatmeal: http://runninginaskirt.com/apple-cinnamon-baked-oatmeal/
Looks like a ton of fun! Wish we had apple-picking in my part of the country (Texas). Here’s my favorite apple recipe: Baked Apple Oatmeal. Delicious!
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/baked-apple-oatmeal/c5e03f34-3e10-4a9a-b9f7-3483bf215bcf
Note: amp up on the cinnamon. I also add Aspen Mulling Cider Spices to the mix, which gives it even more of a fall kick.
Thanks for passing this along!
Looks like a ton of fun! Wish we had apple-picking in my part of the country (Texas). Here’s my favorite apple recipe: Baked Apple Oatmeal. Delicious!
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/baked-apple-oatmeal/c5e03f34-3e10-4a9a-b9f7-3483bf215bcf
Note: amp up on the cinnamon. I also add Aspen Mulling Cider Spices to the mix, which gives it even more of a fall kick.
He looks so teeny tiny next to the apple! Such a cutie!
Your apple picking adventure looks like fun. I think my favorite apple baked good is apple crisp. It screams fall to me.
What a fun weekend! We tried to go apple picking here in CO but because of all the rain this past spring, it was slim pickings.
A super easy but delicious dessert is a baked apple. Just core the apple and fill with brown sugar or honey and your favorite nut (walnuts, pecans). Bake at 350 degrees until the sugar or honey caramelizes (15 min?).
It’s almost like an easy and healthier version of apple pie filling. My grandma used to make these for me growing up 🙂
So simple and it sounds fantastic!
I’ve always been interested in making apple butter, but never actually tried.
Such a fun weekend! I bet next year apple picking with Chase will be a completely different experience and he will love the petting zoo 😉
Chase is the cutest!!!
What a fun outing with Chase and Ryan! I wish we had an apple orchard around here as well, that sounds like the perfect fall festivity. I’m hoping to make it to at least one pumpkin patch before D Day, so we’ll see if that happens!
Looks like a fantastic weekend! I’ll have to find a spot for apple picking out here in Denver.. and an awesome denim vest! So glad Sadie is A-Okay. Lovin’ that little one! 🙂
Regarding apple recipes, beyond my everyday early breakfast of apple and peanut butter (it counts, right), I do something similar to what Anna mentioned above. Although I actually slice the apples and drizzle the honey/nut combination on top before popping into the oven. But I’m always just looking for the easiest thing to eat, ha!
Have a great Monday!
This is by far my family’s favorite apple pie recipe (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/easy-skillet-apple-pie). The bottom crust melts into the butter/brown sugar mix in the bottom and is awesome with some vanilla ice cream!
So cute! Apple picking is one of my favorite fall activities 🙂 Here’s my recipe for my favorite crisp ever- super quick and easy, and I know you’ve been obsessed with coconut lately, and this crisp uses coconut oil instead of butter. Just sub in your apples (tossed in a little sugar of your choice, lemon juice, and pinch of oat flour- like you would for a pie filling) for the jam, and you’re good to go!
http://www.livingminnaly.com/allposts/2015/6/8/strawberry-rhubarb-chia-jam-crisp-glutenfree-vegan
Sooo glad Sadie is okay!!
Chase is seriously the cutest! The pic of Ryan and him is hilarious!
I am so ready to go apple picking! My husband and I have plans to go the first weekend in October and I am beyond excited! Do you use a specific apple crisp recipe? That sounds amazing to me right now 🙂 Maybe with a cup of coffee!
Chase is the cutest! Just a quick tip: be sure the chest clip of the car seat is even with the armpits. This is the intended use and safest way to travel with a little one. I learned this from the mamas of my 10 nieces and nephews! 🙂
P.S. I would love to hear what you do with all those apples!! Such an adorable family outing.
Thank you for the safety tip! I appreciate it!
Hey Julie! This is one of my all-time favorite recipes for fall. It gets rid of a lot of apples really quickly (which I found to be necessary once the amount of apples I’d picked become alarmingly overwhelming) and it incorporates some REALLY wonderful flavors. Serve the baked apples with vanilla ice cream – you can’t beat it!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/baked-apples-with-apricot-and-walnut-filling-recipe.html
Here’s the recipe for my grandma’s famous apple pie! So yummy!
http://www.sneakersandspatulas.com/2013/11/27/grandmas-perfect-apple-pie/
After I read your post today I saw a headline on the MSN homepage for 39 Apple recipes! Haha.. so I thought I would share it with you! I hope you find something that you want to make! 🙂
http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/recipes/39-apple-recipes-that-have-us-excited-for-fall/ss-AAekzkD?ocid=iehp#image=1
Perfect! Thanks!
This recipe is one of my favorites. It’s easy, delicious, and not too sweet.
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/apple-sharlotka
Chase is adorable! The mama goat photo made me LOL 🙂
There’s a caramel apple sheet cake recipe floating around on Pinterest that these apples would be perfect for! 🙂 I look forward to some yummy apple recipes in the future!
Unpacking all your fall decor…love it! 🙂 Such a cute photo of you and Chase! He is so precious!!
Hey Julie – just a heads up (not sure if you read the instruction manual or not) but the car seat chest clips need to be level with Chase’s armpits. Just trying to keep baby safe!
Thank you for the tip!! I’ll definitely make sure they’re in line with his armpits next time.
You guys look like the perfect little family! I used to drive by Lake Norman on my way home from college, but I never stopped. Looks like I missed out!
YAY Fall is coming!!! What a cute family activity! I’ve never done apple picking nor been to an orchard!
What a fun weekend! I went apple picking this weekend too!
My family loves any apple recipes! A good one is to take the Pillsbury crescent rolls, slice up apples and roll the crescent roll around each apple slice. Put them all in a dish and cover with melted butter, sugar, cinnamon and bake! So good and individual servings!
What a cute and fun weekend! Chase is growing! Such a cutie. And so glad to hear that everything went well with Sadie! Woo hoo! You’re making me hungry for eggplant parmesan right now.
Apple dump cakes are delicious because they’re so easy – the hardest thing about them is cutting up the apples. Millions of recipes online, but it’s different than a crisp or a pie!
Also, here’s an idea for you: what about making your mother-in-law’s famous pineapple souffle with APPLES instead? An experiment that’s worth a shot?
This was my first weekend NOT in a cast in 10 weeks, and the weather was 72 degrees and sunny both days here in MN, so we went a little nuts: we went to the apple orchard, an art fair, patio dining at a restaurant, a state park, and to some Parade of Homes (home tours). It was fun!
Woops! I replied in the wrong place. Oh well, I think I was fascinated by the crescent roll recipe, Lee. It sounds like a great one. 🙂