Apples

It's a beautiful autumn day here in Southeast Michigan. 

We've been working hard the last few weeks.

So, we thought we'd take things easy today

and do stuff close to home.

We are fortunate enough to live in a very diverse and wonderful area.

Just a quick drive up the road is a very popular fall destination

for much of the Detroit area.

Blake's Orchard is a great place to take the kids.

They have a petting farm, haunted house,

and hay rides. You can pick your own apples or

choose a variety of goodies from their store.

Jams, canned fruits, salsas, baking mixes, candles and more. 

Of course there are fresh apples of every kind.

They make their own cider right there where you can watch.

So many flavors to choose from.

After making our selections, we got ourselves a cup of hot cider

and sat down outside to enjoy the fresh air.

We noticed that they've added a new winery and had to check it out.

After sampling a few glasses at the bar, we made our selections to bring home.

A Sweet Hard Cider,

Autumn Cranberry Wine

and Blueberry Fields Wine

will be served at our impromptu gatherings this fall

as well as some fresh, hot cider.

Since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped by

Achatz (rhymes with jackets) Pies 

and picked up a Dutch Apple Pie

for our friends and neighbors who just got married this weekend.

This is a local company that also ships pies across the country

(and even to Nova Scotia, for a price)

that was voted by Good Morning America

as having the "Best Slice" of pie in America.

These are all natural, locally grown ingredients,

hand made every day, pies.

Nothing is too good for our friends.

We are very fortunate to have such good friends in our life.

Gratefulness is the key that we hold in our hands to a happy life.

Because if we are not grateful,

then no matter how much we have,

we will not be happy.

I know Jerome and Jenny will be happy

because they are truly grateful for the love they have found.

And I am grateful to live in such an area of abundance

and beauty with good friends to share it with.