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#firstdayoffall

We have had an awesome time this weekend with our great friends Kira and and Nat this weekend, who are visiting from the D.C. area. 

While the boys started football round 1 (Redskins game), Kira and I headed west to Malta, Illinois to the Jonamac Orchard for apple picking.

Talk about a great First Day of Fall activity.


Chicago lent us a gorgeous 67 degree fall day. Ripe for the pocking were Early Fuji, Gala, Thompson, and apples.


Based on their sweetness and our desire to bake pies this afternoon, we stuck to Early Fujis for baking, and some delicious Thompson apples for snacking at home.


We though a peck of apples would do it for our dining purposes. We totally overestimated this. A peck got us 57 smallish apples. After making 3 deep pies, we still have 31 apples left over. 


It was our first visit to Jonamac Prchard and it was pretty fabulous for a family day. In addition to a great store with gifts, jarred goodies, and kettle corn, there was a line 50 deep for their donuts. We didn't stay to try them, but clearly everyone knows something we don't and we'll have to grab some on the next trip. 

There are also lots of kids activities, including a bounce pillow, hayrides, corn maze, huge playground area, petting zoo, snack stand, pumpkin patch, and live country music. After dark, there is the Haunted Corn Maze that I'm looking forward to taking my teenage nieces and nephews. 

Fall was totally in the air today and I'm so glad we took our short drive west!


Visit Jonamac Orchard:
19412 Shabbona Road
Malta, IL
www.jonamacorchard.com




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