Cider & Doughnuts & Block's Stand

Autumn in Michigan means that it is cider and doughnut time. There are several cider mills in the area and visiting a few of them throughout the fall is one of my favorite traditions of the season.

This morning Frank and I headed to Apple Charlie's which is the cider mill that he went to as a kid. We were both hungry so we made a beeline straight for the cider and doughnuts getting a variety of both plain and cinnamon sugar dusted doughnuts. Nothing tastes like fall more than hot apple cider and it was delicious.

Warm and full, we then took a look around the cider mill. There were the typical activities for kids of hay rides and an area to pet animals. They also had windows where you could peek in and see the doughnuts and apple cider being freshly made. Delicious!

We also took a look at all of the pumpkins and gourds they had for sale. I especially love all the bumpy ones and the colorful little minis.

On our way out we took a little stroll through the pumpkin patch. It was such a gorgeous morning with the sun shining and the bright blue sky full of puffy clouds.

After Charlie's we headed over to Block's Stand & Greenhouse. Block's is an amazing place full of wonderful deals on seasonal plants and produce. In the spring I buy most of my garden plants there and then in the summer and fall they have amazing produce. I really have no idea how they can sell things so cheaply. My biggest problem is that I have to contain myself from over buying and letting things go to waste.

I couldn't resist getting a variety of apples to make some applesauce as well as some cucumbers for pickles. The apples were between $0.89 and $0.99 per pound depending on the variety and I got an enormous basket of pickling cucumbers for $5.99. I can't grow things that inexpensively.

On the pumpkin front I bought six nice sized pie pumpkins to make puree for fall recipes as well as some fun decorative pumpkins and gourds for around the house.

Last but not least I bought two enormous pots of mums as well as some beautiful purple flowering kale to plant out front. Depending on how mild the fall is I have had luck with some of my fall plantings lasting until the end of November. It's nice to have some color outside as long as possible before winter sets in.

After coming home I am now surrounding with bags of fruits and vegetables that I need to can or freeze as well as a bunch of plants that need to get in the ground. So much for a relaxing Sunday!

Do you love cider and doughnuts? What fall traditions do you have where you live? Do you have any plans for canning or planting this fall?