Autumn

Last week was absolutely unbelievable here, with nothing but sunshine and highs in the 70s and 80s (87° on Friday!). Today hit 80° and the rest of the week is supposed to be somewhat cooler, but still sunny. You may recall that four years ago, it snowed on October 11, so this is a very welcome reprieve, especially as our September was decidedly chillier than usual.

The last Sunday of the month was lovely, though--sunny and warm enough to want to be outside, but with a distinctly autumnal crispness to the air. David and I decided to go to Stillwater (where I also ran a half marathon several weeks ago). We visited an apple orchard just outside of town, which was unfortunately rather swamped and overpriced (though it didn't stop us from stocking up on apples and other apple-related treats), and then downtown Stillwater.

We called David's mom on the way back and got her apple pie recipe. I had made a personal-sized apple pie in Home Ec my freshman year of high school, but nothing since then, and never a full pie. My results weren't terribly pretty, but were thankfully highly edible! If we get another shot at some of that crisper autumnal weather, I'd definitely like to visit another orchard (I've had good tips on one near White Bear Lake, where I ran the 20-mile again this year) and try another pie!