I am shocked how much of the European lifestyle is actually ingrained in us. One of our favourite things to do in Germany was to go pick fruit. We loved it, we go home and devour half of the goodness, and make preserve the other half.
It is and has been one of my favourite things to do. Imagine my horror when we moved her, and I quickly realized that not much grow here, and our farmer's market is exists but very limited.
I discovered this little gem about forty-five minutes away from where lived, and a small town called Cottonwood, Texas - for someone who is not to fond of small towns, I found myself in quiet a few of them during this trip - the irony!
Peaches and blackberries in abundance, no crowds to fight, no one else the orchard but us. It is perfect, beautiful and peaceful.
The owners of the farm were super sweet, helpful, and wanted to make sure we had a great time. We could go on our own time, pick as long and as much as we wanted, and they also made sure that we knew it was mandatory to sample the peaches as you pick.
The kids loved being outside, picking the fruit, and Hayleigh loved tasting it. Ian didn't want to - but it was a pick milestone - because he at least touched the peaches and blackberries as he picked and placed them in our box.
This was our anniversary day.
Then we of course took our time testing these beauties - and may I just say I have never had such a sweet, juicy and delicious peach. Nate and Hayleigh could have devoured the entire orchard had that been acceptable.
and we had to take some time, running and playing among the trees, snapping pictures, keeping my mama posted on all our adventures, and giggling at all the silly things the kids come up with. It was a perfect time - a much needed perfect time.
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| They are best friends, and it makes my mama heart beam! |
Off to the blackberry section we go.
Hayleigh and I are big berry fanatics, we make smoothies daily, snack on berries almost all day long - so this was so much fun for us.
We are all stocked up on blackberries,,,
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| I am also very lucky that my kids always find me flowers. |
I haven't seen so so many grasshoppers in a long time - so of course we had to catch one and examine it -before letting it go.
We had a picnic under the trees, and then the muggy hot weather made us retreat inside and we spend the afternoon playing on the second floor of the Grace Museum aka the Children's museum.
It was fun, cool, entertaining, not crowded at all, and the kids could just play and learn together - what is there not to love?
Nate and I were so excited that Abilene had a Red Robin and a Cold Stone Creamery,
We recreated our fun nights out when we first met eight years ago, and this was two of our favourite places to hang out at on his off days.
Of course a lot has changed since then and instead of bringing baby Dylan along for the fun, we had our own two kids with us!!
The kids thought it was all so amazing and impressive, and the fact that we got to stay up a little later, and have a huge bowl of ice-cream before bed was of course very special and exciting!
We had a great time. Refreshing. Rejuvenating. Re-energizing.
It was the perfect break from months of trying to adjust, and settling it, sometimes all you need is a small get away to regain perspective.
We have been re-motivated to finish the last of the renovations, and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of my parents next month.
I am so grateful for my sweet little family, they keep me grounded, they keep me sane (ok sometimes they cause my insanity) but for the most part they just make life so exciting!!
We can do this, learning one day at a time, how to live this new life. At least Nate has his dream job, and we have our dream schedule. That I can live with.
Happy Sunday!
Stay tuned for all our other Cook adventures.
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