Does anything say "Autumn" better than a stand of pumpkins? This weekend DH and I made a little jaunt up to Weston, Missouri, a town about 30 minutes away from my home. Weston is known for its tobacco farms, McCormick liquor business, antebellum homes, and antique shops. But for me its special charm has always been the Red Barn Farm and Vaughn's Orchard, two wonderful places right across the road from one another. First we went to Vaughn's for some "early apples" as I had an itch to make apple butter, apple cobbler, and pork chops with apples (not all on the same day, of course!!!). Bought a peck of apples, couple of small pumpkins, and this amazing gadget:
Next we ventured across the road to Red Barn Farm, a working farm with horses, chickens, sheep, geese--all the earmarks of a page right out of Charlotte's Web! I used to take second graders there on fall field trips. They could have a hay wagon ride, pick their own pumpkin, wander through a corn maze, and talk to the animals close up and personal. It was always a favorite day in the school year. I guess I am a lot like a second grader--I love to do all those things! Plus there is a wonderful shop on the premises where I purchased goat's milk soap for gifts. The grounds were filled with all varieties of pumpkins, a corn sculpture, families enjoying a day in the country. (I have photos of all these things but Blogger says "no way".)
And on another Kansas City boasty note, two (count 'em TWO) of our local shops are in the new Quilt Sampler. Yay!!! Country Expressions is about 30 minutes north of me in Stewartsville, Mo. and is wonderful. I have dropped a few coins in there.
And Harper's Fabric & Quilt is out in Overland Park, Ks.--about 30 minutes south of me!!! I LOVE this shop. I used to shop at Harper's way back in the days of garment sewing. So glad they went the quilting route!!!
Excuse me for tooting Kansas City's and its surrounding areas' horns but I guess it just shows how much I love my hometown!
11 comments:
There's not one thing wrong with a little (or a lot) of hometown pride *s*
Thanks for the apple peeler review - I have been wanting one, too. I'm going to have to keep my eyes peeled for one *s*
My MIL lent me her apple peeler and I was amazed at how much faster it was to peel and core apples, now I just borrow her's when I need it. I love the fall decor with pumpkins, I could almost smell the apples cooking. Both those shops are so close to you...lucky you.
Thanks for the view of your part of the world. It was fun to look around. I can smell those apples cooking yum!
Toot away!!!! I just bought the magazine today and can't wait to get to read it. I always look forward to the Sampler coming out and dream how wonderful it would be to own, or even to just work, in a quilt shop.
Enjoyed reading about the apple peeler and the pumpkins. I bought that magazine last week and am enjoying it. I never miss an issue of QS.
i love wandering around Weston too. those apple peelers are so much fun!
I can smell the apples cooking! I love the apple peeler. My DH bought some apples Friday to make an apple tart. I'll bet he would like an apple peeler about now. I also bought a copy of Quilt Sampler yesterday. It is always enjoyable to see what is happening across the country at other quilt stores.
Yum, I love your apple peeler, and your apples and cinnamon look good enough to eat! I just that magazine too...some wonderful projects!
I cannot tell you how many times I have almost bought one of those apple peelers! glad to hear it does the job it is supposed to well :O)...
you make apple butter in your crock pot? do you have a link to a recipe and how to?
The picture with the pumpkins was just great!
I'm jealous of your trip for apples and pumpkins!
I had one of those apple corer thingamajigs at one time and never used it. Boy am I sorry now that I gave it away.
The farm and orchard sound sooooo nice; how perfect is that in the fall?
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