My autumn is complete. (Actually I was going to use the word, "fall", but I was afraid that would be too confusing to the readers of Ancora Imparo, who might think I had actually fallen.) Therefore, I was intentional about using "autumn" and I was decidedly intentional when I said my autumn is complete. Yes, my autumn is complete because today I made my trek to my favorite apple orchard and did you-know-what.......ate my one requisite apple cider doughnut. It was heavenly, that one doughnut. I ate. I regret nothing about the experience - let's make that perfectly clear. I was able to take small bites, savoring the texture, aroma, and feel of the cinnamon/sugar that it had been dipped in. Capt. SO and I ate our "lone" doughnuts in the car, taking intermittent sips of the delicious coffee we had with us. We took our time and when the doughnut had disappeared, I licked each and every crystal from my fingers.
Prior to consuming the apple-cider doughnut, we had walked about in the apple orchard retail barn, where simply everything is either tempting to eat or buy. From the moment you walk in, retail merchandising techniques take over your senses and sensibilities. The array of fall colors, shapes and textures is dazzling and luring. Capt. SO and I went with a purchase "list" in mind and we stuck with the list - although we had a great time between "list" selections. The food-tasting stations are EVERYWHERE, at every turn. Dips, sauces, marinades, crackers, dipping pretzels, cheese spreads, cheese, fudges, assorted candies and, of course, apple slices are just a few of the food items one can consume at the apple orchard. In addition to the many foods for sale, the non-food items number in the hundreds, maybe more. You could literally spend thousands of dollars redecorating your home with just the merchandise found at the apple orchard.
I'm so glad we went. Now I can cross that experience of my once-a-year bucket list and move on to the next item on my list. We came home with one doughnut in our bellies and lots of visions in our memories. We went early to avoid the to-be-expected crowds and got in and out in a timely manner. Apple-orchard web site reviews reveal tales of ultra-long waits to check out, pick up doughnuts and catch rides out to the orchards.
We picked a perfect time to visit and a perfect time to depart.
My autumn is complete. (Well, nearly. Next weekend we visit the Three Musketeers!)
Ancora iparo
