living | apple picking at Thompsons Orchards

my favorite time of the year... The harbinger of autumn has arrived and folks everywhere are heeding its call by heading in droves to Thompson Orchards in New Gloucester, to delight in a little apple picking. I don't use the term quintessential much, but for me, apple picking is my quintessential childhood memory.

We are so fortunate to have a wonderful orchard just right down the road. Thompson's Orchards has been around for over 100 years. Every year at the onset of autumn, our fairly quiet town livens up with a rush of traffic going to the orchard to take part in a hay ride, or maybe feast on Thompson's famous freshly-baked donuts.

The apples this year were absolutely gorgeous! The trees were completely laden in perfect fruit. Our family has developed a tradition of taking a stroll throughout the entire orchard prior to picking any apples. Mind you, there is a bit of snacking along the way as we meander lanes of whimsical trees, tractor treads, and wildflowers. The picking commences as we make our way back towards the farm.

The pumpkin harvest was a few weeks early this year, so they are already making their arrival at the orchard. Right now it is mainly pie pumpkins. In a few weeks, we'll be heading back to scout the perfect carving pumpkin for Halloween.

Of course, no visit would be complete without nibbling on some warm homemade doughnuts and sipping fresh, crisp cider. We got a doughnut for each of us, but mine suddenly vanished when I went to take a photo a few feet away. I only got one bite before I was robbed. I suspect my grinning five-year-old whose shirt sparkled with sugar crystals.

I'm hoping to make some applesauce today and just noticed that we're out of apple cider. I'll have to run down to the orchard to pick up a gallon, but I fear that my will power will be non-existent and I'll come back home with another huge bag of apples. I've run out of room in the freezer. I may need an intervention.