An Apple A Day

 Fall Display outside Carver's Apple Orchard - Cosby, TN

September 22, 2010

Yesterday was MIL day and we chose to make a trip up to my favorite apple orchard.  Carver's Apple Orchard is a perfect example of a family-run orchard that just does apples and does them well.  They haven't tried to turn their orchard into a tourist attraction - they don't even have a website.  But when you've put out a good product and offer friendly down home service for decades, word gets around and that it the case at Carver's.  The original Carver's went to school with my parents, so I've been going to Carver's all my life.  Their children and grandchildren are now running the business.  It's not fancy, but holds lots of memories for me.  If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you might remember that the last "outing" with my FIL was to Carver's on a gorgeous October day last fall.  I'd wondered how MIL and I would do yesterday, but other than some difficult moments when we walked by the trees where we had taken pictures last year, we both did just fine.  Here's a picture of the inside:

 

 The large pink board on the back wall is a handwritten chart listing all the varieties of apples they grow and what months they are harvested.  No technology here!!  I bought a bushel of Honey Crisp which are totally to die for.  Wish I could share one with all of you.   Also bought a 40 pound box of sweet potatoes that are grown at a farm just down the road from the orchard.   They are melt in your mouth good.

Had just the place picked out for lunch.  Mr. B calls these "woman food" restaurants and although it isn't far from the orchard, I knew FIL wouldn't be interested either, so had never mentioned it before.  But I was ready this time and off we went to the Wild Plum Tea Room.  Again, locally owned and no website.   A very limited menu with some yummy chef specials each day.  Their signature item is tiny little plum muffins with plum jam and they bring those to you when you are seated.   We both had their chicken salad and it was yummy.  MIL is like a little girl in these places she's never been and it delights me to no end to see her so happy.  We sat on the patio in the second picture and enjoyed the perfect fall temps. 

Two things happened yesterday which increased my awareness of how ready I am to finish the work in front of me and get to goal.   Knowing that the Hot 100 Challenge was beginning today, I could have taken the opportunity to indulge yesterday.  The Wild Plum Tea Room is also known for their homemade desserts, but when the tray came around, I wasn't even interested.  Then last evening following choir practice, we had our quarterly birthday celebration.  Can't be so noble as to say I wasn't interested in that cake, but Mr. B came to the rescue and rather forcefully ushered me out of the room as I looked longingly back at the cake knowing it was my last opportunity until after December 31.  After I got home, I momentarily thought, "better eat, it's your last chance."  But I didn't.   I'm ready, motivated and excited.  

I'm also a realist.   My first MAJOR temptation will come tonight.   Our annual choir retreat is this weekend and quite frankly, it's said that we do this to get started learning our Christmas music, but the truth is, it's nothing but a food fest.  I'm getting a slight reprieve this year because tonight is the only rehearsal we are able to attend and we are just driving up to Gatlinburg for the evening.  Normally, it would be tonight through Saturday morning.  I am happy that it comes so early in the challenge - I am so pumped that I believe I'll make it through with flying colors.  Can't say I won't be tempted, but I feel certain I'll stay away from the food.

We will be in Nashville on Saturday for Mr. B to attend a mandatory orientation meeting regarding his teaching assignment next spring in Prague.  My sister lives just outside of Nashville and that gives me an opportunity to spend a few hours with her.  After that, we plan a shopping excursion to Trader Joe's.  I've expressed true envy to those of you who have easy access to a Trader Joe's.  My first experience was visiting the one in Santa Fe, NM a few years ago. After that, I was hooked, but the closest one to me until recently has been Atlanta, over 250 miles away.  The one is Nashville is fairly new and this is my first visit.  For anyone who shops there frequently, let me know of any must buy items.  We will have a cooler, so tell me some fun things to get while I'm there. 

Well, I'm off to sing Christmas music.  I'm having a little problem with that since the temperature today was 95.   I'll leave you with one more picture from Carver's.