I’ve been away from my blog for about a month and a half, but I’m back to tell you that I’ve had a FABULOUS DAY!  First, It’s  my birthday.  I’ve heard from friends and family, and that always makes the day special, but Dear Husband and I spent the day out bumming around and I had a wonderful time.

We headed west out of the Chicago suburbs on Route 30, stopping for lunch in Sugar Grove at the Fireside Grille.  Actually it was more like stopping for “dinner.”  DH had their famous BBQ ribs, and I had beef Stroganoff.  I don’t have to cook dinner tonight! lol

We continued west to the tiny town of Waterman, looking for Waterman Road.  NONE of the streets are named “Waterman Road.”  I was surprised when after two quick trips through town DH stopped at a Casey’s to ask for directions.  IN town, that road is called “Elm Street.”  We found our way north to Honey Hill, an apple picking farm.

We didn’t actually pick apples today, although the weather was perfect for it.  We stopped at the farm store, and I went wild!  SO many fun things to buy.  I came home with seedless Red Raspberry Jam, Apple CInnamon Jelly, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, and Apricot Jam.  I have enough jam to last me to next season, but one flavor sounded better than the next!

I have a tiny cook book specifically for squash and pumpkins.  I want to add more squash into our diet, and there were some pretty good recipes to be had.  I have a set of four coasters with wonderful Christmas scenes, and a BLT dip I need to take to my sister’s house!

Of course, there are apple donuts, and a Dutch apple pie.  I know….more sugar than we need, but it’s my birthday!!!  OH…..and we brought home about a peck of Cortland apples.  I’ll be baking during the next couple of weeks.  How about cinnamon apple slices to go with roast pork, too?

On our way back east, we stopped at a shop that had so much scent in the air you could have cut it into slices and sold it.  Candles, scenters, things to hold scenters, pierced tin, country decorations, bee skeps, signs…just anything you might want to give a country look to your holiday decorations, or your home.  I want to return with my sisters.  I know they’d enjoy this shop.  1803 Candles, in Hinkley, Illinois.

A little further on we passed Windy City Soaring, and stopped to get some information.  Of course, today is Tuesday, and they pretty much confine their operations to weekends.  Luckily, they posted a website and phone number, so DH looked them up on line.  I think we will be making arrangements for him to soar later this month for his birthday. 🙂

As we traveled through the farm land we could see the corn and soybean harvest underway.  The beans must have gone in very early because they are really dry, and the majority of corn has very little green left.  We were VERY close to a big John Deere harvester as they made a turn back into a soybean field, and they are just amazing.  We think that the cutting reel must be easily 16 feet across.  There are trucks positioned around the field to pick up the harvest and take it to the grainery, so that the harvester never needs to leave the field.  I may need to add to my Bucket List:  Watch the harvest at the family farm in Iowa.

Of course, you know that the best part of the day was just bumming around with Dear Husband.  I love the time we spend together, even when it isn’t anything of note.  It’s been a lovely day!