I don’t think yesterday could have been any more perfect for a fun morning at the apple orchard.
You may remember last year (he was so little!), Jay and I were introduced to a new-to-us orchard in nearby Kinderhook, NY, Samascott Orchards. We’ve now lucked out two years in a row with beautiful weather, plenty to pick from, and a happy little guy.
This year, not only did he enjoy picking, but he was in his glory being able to run up and down the rows of trees.
The variety of apples they had this year was incredible, but we kept our pickings fairly simple with lots of MacIntosh (for baking, of course!), some golden delicious, and a few Candy Crisp (I think?) which were SO good.
Everyone got their hands on some apples!
Once we were finished with the apples, our next stop was the pumpkin patch. They had TONS of beautiful, colorful pumpkins to choose from, and we walked away with 5 beauties to put on our front porch.
Of course, Lucas had to pick his own, special pumpkin, which turned out to be this little white one.
He was so proud.
After we got our pumpkins, the last stop was raspberries. Just like last year, we couldn’t keep up with Lucas’s eating as we picked them…this child LOVES fresh raspberries!
And we really couldn’t blame him; they were incredibly delicious.
Finally, you can never visit an apple orchard without getting some of the best part…
Apple cider + cider donuts!
And here I was thinking I was the one most excited about this part?
Such a wonderful morning with these two! <3
The second highlight of our weekend would have to be our delicious dinner out at Bonefish Grill.
I was invited in to the restaurant again to check out their new fall menu (and also received a gift card that covered a portion of our bill), which was filled with some amazing dishes and cocktails. And speaking of cocktails…
Gahhhh, this apple martini is SO. FREAKIN. GOOD. Ever since I first tried it last year, I’ve become hooked on the Bonefish Grill martinis. They’re just unlike any others I’ve had and they make me incredibly happy.
As for the food? Whew, talk about amazing. Jay and I decided to share an appetizer to start, and we chose the calamari. I can’t believe we’d never gotten it before but it has now been placed right at the top of our “favorite calamari” list. The Asian sauce you dip it in? To die for.
For my dinner, I ordered the Oscar Mahi Mahi, with pumpkin ravioli as my side. Again…amazing. I need to know how the cook their mahi?!?
Jay also ordered from their fall specials menu, getting the Crab Crusted Icelandic Cod. He let me try a bite, and it was delicious…but not as good as mine.
We barely had any room for dessert, but I was determined to finally get my hands on their doughnuts.
I mean, doughnuts alone make me happy, but being able to fill them with little squirt bottles of chocolate sauce AND sea salt caramel?
I may have been the happiest girl on the planet right there!
And in case you’re curious, Bonefish Grill is offering a Hooked on Halloween three-course menu for those looking to skip the ghouls and ghosts and enjoy an evening out.
The Hooked on Halloween menu features three generous courses starting at $14.90. Each dish is served with a fresh salad and perfectly finished with a choice of signature dessert including Jen’s Jamaican Coconut Pie, Classic Cheesecake or Macadamia Nut Brownie. Culinary forward and unique combinations on the special menu (from both land and sea) usually served only on Tuesday include:
- Atlantic Salmon — 6 oz. grilled to perfection + topped with your choice of a signature sauce, fresh side + seasonal vegetable
- Spicy Tuna Bowl — Premium sushi grade, sesame-seared rare, avocado, sweet chile sauce, jasmine rice + passion fruit salsa
- The Angler’s Sirloin Steak — 6 oz. center cut sirloin served with choice of fresh side + seasonal vegetable
- Ahi Tuna Steak — 6 oz. grilled to perfection + topped with your choice of a signature sauce, fresh side + seasonal vegetable
- Cold Water Lobster Tail — 5-6 oz. lobster tail, seasoned and steamed, served with warm drawn butter + crispy Yukon gold potatoes
- Fontina Pork Chop — Boneless pork chop, fontina cheese, garlic, prosciutto, mushroom Marsala wine sauce
- Sea Scallops + Shrimp— Jumbo shrimp and scallops + topped with your choice of a signature sauce, fresh side + seasonal vegetable
- Pecan Parmesan Crusted Rainbow Trout — Artichoke hearts, fresh basil + lemon butter
- Filet Mignon — USDA center cut 6 oz. served with choice of fresh side + seasonal vegetable
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So those were definitely our top two highlights of the weekend. Other than that, we hung some pictures around the house, did some housework (ya know, the usual weekend stuff), grocery shopped, visited by father in-law at the hospital, and prepped some food for the week ahead (I already feel more prepared than this past week!).
Here’s to hoping for a fabulous week ahead! How about you guys? How was your weekend? What were your favorite highlights?
Jenn@Mark My Miles! says
Looks like such a great weekend!
Becky @ Olives n Wine says
Calamari is one of my favorite appetizers when we go out to eat! Always so delicious. And those donuts – how fun! I am going to have to find an apple orchard near us – Cider and donuts are definitely the best part ;)
Brynn says
What a fun, gorgeous and delicious weekend! We went to Boo at the Zoo with our little guy and had a blast watching him trick or treat.
haley @cupcakes and sunshine says
SO fun. So happy it is apple picking season!! Going to have to find an orchard (and donuts) as well!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Lucas is just too cool in his sunglasses! Haha! I love Bonefish martinis so much. They are a must every time I go.
Mollie K says
WHAT A PERFECT WEEKEND!! I live in CT, and my boyfriend is from Valatie, NY..his family still lives there. I have been DYING to go apple picking up there because we drive by millions of orchards when we visit and I am going to suggest we go to this one in the next couple weekends!! Slash Ill be on the lookout for you and your cute family :)
Cindy Phillips says
Were at Kinderhook Farm last Friday, wish the weather was as gorgeous as yours. Beautiful!
Heather @ Life In Leggings says
Apple cider + cider donuts is probably the best combination in all the land. I just love this time of year! The hubby and I are hitting up as many mills as we can on the weekends. So good. Also, loving the looks of your Bonefish dinner. Love that place!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Apple picking looks like so much fun, he’s so cool in his shades!
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
I’ve always loved apple picking and never got “too cool” for it in HS before it got fun again. I love that in CT/NY/VT there are so many local orchards to get your fill :)
Tara says
Oh I love Bonefish! Their Bang Bang Shrimp is my favorite.
My hometown is Rhinebeck, not too far from Kinderhook either! There’s nothing better than upstate NY fall fun.
Katrina says
I want to go apple picking!! :D But my favorite part of this weekend was playing tennis in the sun and swimming in the fitness center pool and trying their sauna ! Best way to relax is a workout and sauna… a massage wouldn’t hurt either ;)
Christen says
Definitely chilling out on Sundays. We really need to go apple picking, but it was a lazy weekend for us!
Julie says
Lucas is getting so BIG! He looks huge in the pics of you holding him. :)
Hilary says
Your apple picking experience makes me so excited for when I go to my hometown to pick apples in a couple weeks! Hope I luck out on the weather like you!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Lucas is totally rocking those shades! I love his little vest, too :)
Melissa says
Looks like such a fun weekend! I love apple picking and hope to go sometime soon. This past weekend was so beautiful for it! Also, the martini at Bonefish Grill looks and sounds incredible!
Sheena @ Paws and Pavement says
I have yet to get to try cider doughnuts. They look and sound amazing!
Lindsay says
Oh my gosh I am obsessed with the Bonefish donuts! I first had them when I was 9 mo pregnant and then seriously considered sending my husband to get an order every night after. We had them a couple of weeks ago, and the waitress said they just throw those plastic bottles away so she told us to take them. I was putting chocolate and caramel on EVERYTHING all weekend. ;)