Monday, October 5, 2009

*re-cap*

This past weekend was the one I eagerly anticipate all year long... our annual trip to the apple orchard.



This year was actually somewhat disappointing. There were easily 5 x's as many people as when we went last year. I'm not sure if it's because we went a week earlier than usual, the fact that everyone is doing "stay-cations" now, or that a bunch of people wised up and realized that they can get about 30 lbs of apples for the same price they would pay for less than half that many at a grocery store. And that all those apples make lovely applesauce, apple butter, apple bread and apple pies of their own. Whatever the reason, it was frustrating to wade through that crowd and try to enjoy ourselves. But, we managed anyway.



They make the best homemade donuts at the orchard... great with a warm cup of cider. But, after waiting in a line 20 people deep for almost half an hour without moving an inch, I gave up. The kids didn't mind the wait, though. They were busy rolling around in the hay.



We managed to find some lovely pumpkins. They always have such gorgeous heirloom varieties. I just wish the large crowds hadn't forced us to park nearly 3/4 of a mile from the orchard, so that I could have brought more of these beauties home. As it was, I could barely carry everything back to the truck. But, lugging these chubby gourds back was well worth it.





For me, one of the best parts of the trip is always on the way home... our stop at Flat Rock Village Bakery just a couple of miles down the winding lane from the orchards. Oh, it is delicious! They have their own brick wood-fired oven, where they fire handmade pizzas from the freshest ingedients. We enjoyed sharing a margherita pizza with fresh tomatoes and basil. They also offer a variety of sandwiches, organic juices and fresh-baked loaves of artisan bread for you to take home. I've never bought any of the bread, but this year I couldn't resist the 3 cheese with basil loaf.



To be quite honest, I wasn't entirely sure that I hadn't wasted $6 on this loaf of bread. I thought it impossible for myself to devour the whole loaf, and my little ones aren't big starch eaters. I toasted a couple of slices for dinner that night... pretty yummy. Then yesterday, I had a delicious revelation... I could make sandwiches out of it. But, this bread... it is deserving of something more than just processed lunch meat. Once or twice a month, I make one of these chickens for dinner. WIth Bryan gone, it is entirely too much food for the kids and myself to eat in one sitting. So, I shred the left-over chicken and snack on it for a few days afterward. It just so happens that I made one a couple of days ago, and had some left over. With some fresh spinach leaves, a little spicy brown mustard, some mayo and a slice of pepper jack cheese... heaven between 2 toasted slices of 3 cheese basil bread.



Have you ever eaten something that was so delicious, it nearly brought tears to your eyes? You probably think that sounds silly. But, trust me... there are a few meals out there in this earth that can evoke such feelings. The first time I ever experienced it was earlier this year when my great-uncle took me to lunch at Magnolia's in Charleston, SC. There, I had a bacon, lettuce, lump crab meat and fried green tomato sandwich with homemade sweet potato fries. I had never put something so amazing in my mouth... but, that's a stoary for another time. I had certainly never made something so awe-inspiring in my own kitchen... until this sandwich.

It's a good thing that bakery is over 4 hours from my house. Otherwise, it might well be responsible for adding about 100 extra punds to my figure. But, trust me... if you ever find yourself in the Asheville area, a side-trip to Flat Rock is worth the extra time in the car. Then, you can have one of these delicious artisan loaves of your very own.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have about 5 dozen apples calling my name... waiting to be turned into something warm, sticky, sweet and homemade.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh man if this post didnt make fall a reality i dont know what post would! Seriously wonderful stuff my friend. That sandwich sounds to die for and that bread looks heavenly. YUM!

amy a said...

Hi! I have been lurking on your blog for a little while, and your scrapbooking is just beautiful! I wanted to post and say that if you are ever in Ashville, we have friends who own a chocolate shop called French Broad Chocolates. Jael makes the most amazing melt in your mouth truffles. They also do wine and dessert pairings. We live in PA, so I have only been able to sample the chocolates, but I can tell you are a foodie, and these are excuisite!

LollyChops said...

Even though the place was crowded as pie it still sounds like you guys took home a good haul and had a nice time!

That sammich you made from that lovely bread looks KILLAH!

Have fun making all those apple based goodies! Apple butter is by far one of my favorite fall food things!!!!

HUGS HOL!

bethchien said...

YUMMY TO THE SANDWHICH!!!!

And I sooo know what you mean about REALLY good food. Except I dont' cry, I sound like I am having the big O! lol

DebW said...

Great pics! Looks like they had a good time dispite the crowd!

Melissa Mann said...

yummy lookin' sandwich!!!

Ginajam said...

you always make the best food...that sandwich looks D-LISH. What you gonna make with all those apples??

Jocelyn said...

Oh Holly..I had such a wonderful time reading your post...It felt just like I was there with you!!!

Love the pics from the apple orchard and so sorry it was packed...we are planning on doing the orchard this weekend with the boys and I just know it is going to soooo crowded...but with Evan being in school...we can't keep him home to visit the orchard so off with all the others next Sunday!!!

Love the pics of the pumpkin and the bread.....OH YUMMY!!!! I adore fresh baked bread and your sandwich made me stinking hungry....it's late and no starches for me!!!! That sandwich with the crab and green tomatoes sounds awesome!!!!

So glad that you had a great day and thanks for sharing with us!!! Wishing you a wonderful week!!! :-)

Mel G said...

My sister used to live out in Hendersonville, NC. I'll have to ask her about the place you wrote about! I loved reading your post, the foodie in me really appreciates "soul food" and I've made a list of places that I want to visit that have food like that. Since you live in NC, have u ever been to Foster's near the Duke campus? You'd really like it there! Everytime we visit Raleigh, I BEG my sister in law to take me there!! Good, honest, down to earth food. My dream foodie trip would be to visit the Moosewood restaurant up in NY!!! I am heading up north for a sewing day with Denyse Schmidt, I'll have to figure out if it is close enough to visit! I'll let you know if it happens. Miss ya girl!

Anonymous said...

yum! that bread and sandwich sound terrific. drooling here girl!
glad you had a good time at the orchard despite the crowds. my mom went to Orcas Island 2 weekends ago for an apple pressing at a friends orchard. I have a jug of fresh frozen apple cider in the freezer that I will pull out for the hubby's bday. I've never been apple picking, well except in our own backyard growing up. we only had one tree though. I was sad when my mom had to cut it down.

AscenderRisesAbove said...

adorable; a truly charmed life. enjoyed the calendar below as well; very nice.

Sasha Farina said...

Goodness Girl.. you're making me hungry!!

Michelle said...

SO hungry. You always make me that way. I really have a craving for that sandwich now. Love your description and pictures. And the apple orchard looks like fun too!