Autumn in New York

So. I literally started this post a month ago. At that point, we had just had SEVEN CONCERTS in EIGHT DAYS for work, oh my aching head, and the week before that I had made a quick getaway to visit Jules and Michael in Ithaca, NY. It was a whirlwind trip, and I had two requests: apples and fall leaves.

So we went apple-picking.

We had some doughnuts.

The leaves were stunning. We couldn't get over the colors of this tree.

So we took some pictures.

I picked a perfect apple...

...and then the tree tried to eat me.

And once we'd picked plenty of apples, we went wine-tasting along Seneca Lake.  

The Finger Lakes region of New York state is known for its riesling, and for good reason. It's utterly delicious, and Jules and Michael have become experts on the local offerings. We went to Atwater Vineyards, followed by lunch at the Red Newt Bistro.  Then we sampled amazing iced wines at Standing Stone (pictured above and below) and finished the afternoon off at Lamoreaux Landing.

I call this one "Jules in a field."

Beatrix and Broadway joined us for the festivities (long story about the stuffed bison...they're sort of Jules' and my versions of Flat Stanley or the Roaming Gnome), though the holding of wine glasses was challenging, given that they are hooved creatures.

All told, it was a wonderful weekend with two of my very favorite people, not to mention a welcome break from a busy fall season at work. 

This weekend is a full one, too. I'll be working tomorrow, and my friend B is swinging through for a quick visit on Sunday, which will also include chili and Sunday Night Football (Steelers vs. Patriots, woo!) at Ed and Val's. It's hard to believe we're less than two weeks from Thanksgiving.  Where does the time go?