Connor's Farm: Apple Picking

Today I was lucky enough to join my friends in the Chemistry Department for their annual Apple Picking trip!  We headed out to Danvers to go to Connor's Farm for a day of corn mazes, apple cannons, hayrides, cider and apple picking.

After a quick 45 min on the school bus (haven't been on one of those for a while!), we pulled into the farm stand and straight away bought an apple cider doughnut.  Now I'm not sure if you've had one of those, but they are delicious.  Unfortunately for me I've had better, at the Louisburg Cider Mill back home in the Sunflower State!  I actually went there right before coming back to school.  I got myself a gallon of cider, apple butter, and a doughnut.  So I'm pretty sure I count as an expert.

Regardless, the rest of the day was a good time!  I've never been apple picking, done a corn maze, shot an apple cannon, or been on a hayride, so it was a day of firsts for me.  We picked an enormous bag of apples that I think we were supposed to share with 7 people, but instead got split between the 3 of us.  That means we each got around 15 apples...I'll get to that later.

But anyway, the main adventure of this day was, we get back on the bus to return to Boston, and I realize that I can't find my phone.  Kathleen and I had just been on an amazing jumping pillow (FUN FOR ALL AGES!) so I rushed over there to look, but I didn't see it anywhere.  I told the Chem. director, who offered to let me catch a ride back from him so that I could look.  Already my hopes were dropping, as we had literally gone everywhere in the place.  Luckily I knew that I'd had it after the corn maze, so I decided the Hayride was our best bet.

I rushed back to the bus to tell Kathleen (who generously agreed to stay with me) and grab my other things.  We searched high and low while waiting for our tractor to get back, and when he arrived, I asked the driver if he'd found it, and he HAD!

It was honestly a miracle, and I still can't believe it, because if it was in the orchard there is just no way it would ever be found.

And now onto the apples.  Today Vicki and I made my mom's Apple Crisp, and I came home and made this Apple Cake.  Unfortunately I overmixed, and I think it could do with a bit more sugar, and maybe even an extra half an apple.  More like bread than cake, but lucky for me I have enough apples to experiment for a long time!

Why do I bike?

Biking became a part of my life when I began commuting to work last summer.  A bike was ‘strongly encouraged’ at the non-profit I was working at, and since there was no mention of a T or Bus pass for this stipend internship, I was an easy convert.

Of course I had been admiring the slim, graceful cyclists who weaved through Boston traffic (for better or worse) while cars and buses stood still and I trailed behind while walking.  On a college student’s budget and an education in Environmental Studies, I knew it was only a matter of time before I picked up the bike my cousin had insisted on shipping me cross country, and went out on the Southwest Corridor.

Riding my combination mountain bike frame with sturdy wheels, a wide handlebar and no gears, the summer was hard; hot and sweaty I was passed by fixie riders as I went towards the suburbs opposite of the other commuters.  I’d arrive at work, frantically try and cool down in the bathroom before wiping my forehead and going to sit under the AC in my office.  But times improved and I gradually grew more secure, doing my own weaving between sticks and acorns, learning how to dress for the weather, and even buying rain pants and fenders for those downpours.

One day, on the return trip home to campus, I needed to go directly to a meeting.  It was drizzling in Boston (of course), so I had on my rainpants, rain jacket, and a baseball hat under my helmet so I could see.  I turned up quite a sight, but when questioned by my peers, I proudly answered, “yup, I rode to work today.”  They all pronounced me crazy, but inside I could care less.  Each day the ride to work had become more and more important.  I was becoming addicted, the freedom, the solitude and the breeze kept me coming back, and even when I didn’t need to go anywhere I would just ride to get my legs moving, my hair blowing and a smile back on my face.

Today I still ride, to the store, to the river, to my new internship with another non-profit, but I'm ready for a new bike.  This workhorse bicycle served me well, but I'm ready for an attractive frame with girly details, thin wheels and more options than are offered by my single speed.

New Hairstyle?

Today I ran across this, a tutorial on how to make the perfect, full bun.  Now, while that may be her go-to hairstyle, mine is definitely the messy bun.  I have pretty much perfected it, and despite the clips that I have to put in to hold my in-between bangs back, it is a simple style that gets my hair out of my face.

However, I'm currently wearing the 'perfect bun' (with sock!) and I must say it is a nice change.  I will have to work on the pinning a bit, since it's falling out already, but this might be a good change.  Although it is certainly less do-able when I have  to take my bike helmet on and off.  For that I think the messy bun will have to stay.

Don't you wish they made helmets that allowed for bangs though?  I'm still not sure what to do with mine.  Let them stick to my head and get sweaty or push them back and risking an electrified look when I get there?  I'll keep experimenting.

In other news, it's back to my old bike :(  Long, long story, but I think I will visit a Used Bike Store today!

Also made a delicious if unique meal with friends last weekend.  It started off as this, but since I added the rice too early (and we made do with Basil rather than oregano) it came out a little different.  Also on the table was my mom's famous Black Bean Salsa (made with fresh corn handpicked by ME!), Newman's Pineapple Salsa, and a couscous salad made by the lovely Raquel.  She and I wisely mixed everything together, and pronounced it delicious!  It was.

Also had were some strong margaritas, and a new drink we have named, The Chocolate Cupcake.  It consists of UV Cake Vodka and Silk Chocolate Soymilk.  I'm not much of a drinker, but this might just beat out my old fave Blue Moon.