Keaton likes to play pretend that the cat is real (I think he longs for a kitty).

The start of September is always filled with hope and rejuvenation. It’s also when we put up our autumn decor. Last year was particularly exciting, as it was our first autumn in our first home (I was pregnant with Gaia). This year, all the autumn tingles are multiplying, because now, Gaia is here with us (we’re now a family of four)! She’s grown so much since her birth, and is so much of her own person already.

First apple-picking of the season at Mountain Orchards

Small but delicious silken apples

The first autumn activity we did this year was apple-picking at Mountain Orchards. I recall apple-picking at a different orchard around this time last year with my parents, and being pregnant with Gaia. I still can’t believe that one year later, she’s here with us and sitting up for photos with her brother and trying to hold and bite apples, while having the time of her life!

Both Keaton and Gaia had a lot of fun picking apples and taking part in the kids’ activities. There were wooden toy horses, a straw jump tent and playground, and a forest trail and corn maze, among other things. Going on a weekday meant that we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves, even the wagon ride. Keaton had a blast as usual. It was Gaia’s first time, and she screeched and flailed with excitement the whole way through.

Because we’d visited on a quiet weekday, there were no apple cider donuts — they’re a must-try when visiting this orchard — so we were all a bit bummed, especially Keaton who was looking forward to eating one. We did buy some apple cider from their shed instead, and on the way home grabbed Keaton a donut.

Avonmore Berry Farm and a furry pal

A few days later, we did another apple-picking activity. This time, we visited Avonmore Berry Farm. Even if this farm is known to harvest tasty berries in the summer, they’re equally equipped with fields full of blooming apple trees later on in the year.

The entrance was enchanting; it reminded me of an idyllic scene from an English classic novel. Upon entering, we were greeted by three golden retrievers, who, I’ve learned from the ladies working at the Pantry, belonged to nearby neighbours. Apparently, they love frequenting the farm to visit guests.

Surely enough, they became a great source of companionship during our visit. These friendly and well-trained doggos were the highlight for Keaton. One had followed us all the way to the orchard, crossing the road with us with such impressive intuition and spatial memory. (Come to think of it, I think it followed us simply because it wanted Keaton’s bun.)

Here, we picked paula red apples. While many of the apples were damaged due to the recent hail storm, we did manage to find enough good ones to fill our bag.

These apples were tangy and tart — just perfect for the way my mom and I would eat them traditionally. We’d mix salt, sugar, and spicy red peppers, and then dip the apple slices in. In our culture, we tend to eat sour apples this way. It really does hit the spot.

Fun family activities

I think my husband enjoyed the swing more than our child.

This photo is so dear to me; I could see and feel the friendship between a little boy and his four-legged companion.

Towards the end of our visit, we got ice cream and this doggo followed Keaton the whole time. Something comical, sad, and suspect had happened, though: Keaton dropped his ice cream cone and the doggo rushed to eat it all. Keaton cried of course, but I must admit that I had a laughing spell from afar, as it was an adorable yet equally comical sight. (I’d also told him not to tempt the doggo.)

My husband suspected that perhaps it wasn’t accidental. Perhaps the doggy had booped him with his tail so that he’d drop the ice cream. Perhaps it wasn’t even the doggy’s first time pulling this trick. Whatever the case, it was a cute-as-a-button kind of day.

MacIntosh apples at Orleans Fruit Farm

I have to admit that in the span of a week, we went apple-picking three times. The third and last time, thus far, was with my parents and sister and niece (who’d visited us from Montreal). It was a hot day, so the trip to the farm was very short.

The apples at Orleans Fruit Farm were healthy, ginormous, and plentiful. I was surprised. I’d almost overlooked this farm because I’d thought it would be minuscule in scope. I was wrong. The farm was vast and the sight was picturesque, with sloped fields that were lined with endless luscious apple trees. They even had scrumptious apple cider.

While their prices were the most steep compared to the other two orchards we’d visited, the fact that they’re the closest farm to the city — at least where we are — is very convenient for us.

Mums at Millers’ Farm & Market

We also returned to Millers’ Farm for our new annual fall tradition: picking up mums for our backyard. Keaton loves helping me choose the mums and putting them in our wagon.

While we didn’t buy any pumpkins, they were much to be adored. The orange colours induced many feelings of warmth and coziness in me. I’m really looking forward to cold sweater weather and going to all the pumpkin patches we can humanly muster, and to having Gaia experience her first autumn season in all its rays of beauty.