The first weekend of October we celebrated our annual tradition of pressing fresh apple cider in Colorado AND I saw my first snowfall for the season...that must mean autumn is officially here! The red, yellow, and orange leaves are so beautiful, but I do have to admit this chilly weather makes me excited to be living in Florida full-time in just a month and a half! Fortunately George was able to fly into Denver and hitch a ride with my bro, David, so he could join in on the fall festivities. It's SO good to be back with my George :)
Different groups of people started arriving Friday night around 9 pm and kept trickling in throughout the middle of the night and into the the late morning. It happened to be Apple Days in Cedaredge this same weekend, so Terrie, Hannah, and Wyeth supported the scouts and did a 5k run bright and early on Saturday morning, while the rest of us lazed around and tried to rouse our sleepy bodies for the days' activities.
Marty designed the shirts for the run.
Terrie - Le Cuisinier
And I have to mention the incredible architecture that comfortably housed the party...the Watts home, endearingly named Maison de Terre because it is made of adobe bricks and plaster...quite the masterpiece!
Kyson and Kaden fell in love with the playroom...which included a ladder to a secret loft where you could jump out and fall 10' into a lovesac.
This year's party was particularly chaotic and fun, numbers totaled: 22 people at times, 6 dogs, 2 goats, and 1 sheep named Baaaab :) Poor Baaab got 'rumped' by Alethea multiple times as she practiced her vet tech skills.
We spent the morning lazily picking apples and warming ourselves in the sunshine.
All the apples compliments of Mountain Spirit Organic - Uncle Steve and Brian's orchard. Steve is pictured above.
Shena getting down and dirty with the apples.
I found the cutest apple!
Sara manning the tractor and three kids all at once, impressive!
Hannah-banana & Lizi...back in the day I used to babysit Hannah and we'd have SO much fun together, it's hard to believe she's 17-years-old now!
Shena's turn on the tractor - she was a pro and even loaded the bin in the back of the truck!
We mainly picked golden delicious and jonagolds.
The afternoon continued with lots of apple pressing and cider drinking.
Loading up the press with apples, nice shot Kaden!
Sara 'pressing' the apples.
Watching the last of the fine cider get squeezed out...mmm makes my mouth water just looking at it now!
And the last part of the process, straining the cider as we put it in jugs.
Suga Booga feasting on the left-over apple pulp.
The afternoon was interspersed with relaxing, playing, and eating...lots of eating :)
Terrie's bruschetta was fantastic!
Davey and Cosmo taking a breather.
Carol-Malia came down from Jackson for the party...she brought her 2 goats and 4 dogs!
Alethea & Whit - lifelong childhood friends...and that's Mushka relaxing in the foreground.
With the large numbers this year we were more ambitious and made 70 gallons of the freshest, finest, apple cider!
On Sunday before we left, we got to visit Uncle Brian and Aunt Judy at their cabin on the Grand Mesa. They're so close to finishing their cabin and it looks great!
The whole weekend was absolutely wonderful! We missed having the rest of the Watts and Lewis fam with us, but we'll count on all of you for next fall ;) And a special thanks to the Watts family for hosting us, we love you guys!
6 comments:
Just one more thing to make me wish I had been born a Lewis.
I remember almost all of those people. I slept in Steve's house, and outside of it I might add. And the Watts...I do believe I made a few of those bricks, with lots of love of course. And I remember Terrie being pregnant with Hannah. It's all so crazy how long ago that was.
I am so glad to see everyone doing so well!
That looks like soo much fun!! I swear your family does the coolest stuff! I, too, am super excited that autumn is finally upon us. I heart the fall colors, and it just means we're that much closer to snowboard season. Don't even pretend you're not going to miss that in Florida!
p.s. LOVE the new do in the last post too
Oh man. Someday...I would LOVE to be there. That looks like a blast and SO YUMMY! And haha, I really want to meet Baaaab. haha. You always crack me up. I love you guys!
I so want to pick apples and drink cider right now!!! What a great family you have. You guys always have so much fun! My love to everyone!
Karen
John and I were just remembering those good old days and wishing we could go home and do some. My family will be doing some cider this weekend. It was so fun to look at your pictures and catch up a little bit. I tried to add you as a friend on facebook, but it won't let me!!! I have no idea why. It looks like you guys had a blast at the Watt's house.
Great blog Liz! Thanks so much for recording our weekend. Let's do it again next year.
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