Garwood Orchard -U-Pick Apple Orchard in LaPorte Indiana!

There is nothing like picking apples on a crisp Autumn day!  Every fall we pack a picnic lunch, load our kids up in our family Suburban and spend the day picking apples.  Our favorite apple orchard is Garwood Orchard in LaPorte, Indiana.  Garwood Orchard is about 80 miles from Chicago.  Tractors and horse drawn wagons take you out into the fields to the different types of apples.  The staff is always friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the characteristics of the apples that are available on the orchard.  There is even a small picnic ground to enjoy a picnic lunch and sometimes a local musician is entertaining the crowd.  As a bonus there is even a good old fashion pumpkin patch that you can hand pick the perfect pumpkin in.   

APPLE TIP - Honey Crisp Apples are ready for picking in September.  Mark your calenders for next year!  If you go apple picking now you will only find them at the orchard’s store.  In my opinion they are the best eating apple you will ever find.  The name says it all!

Homemade Apple Sauce

Place any type of apples that have been peeled, cored and cut up in a sauce pan.  Add cinnamon and some apple juice to the pot. Cook apples over medium heat until they become soft (stirring occasionally.)  Once the apples are soft you can break them up by using a potato masher.  My family loves their apple sauce chunky so I do not over mash the apples but, you can put it in a food processor for a smoother consistency. 

 I also individually package the applesauce in small containers and freeze them.  My son loves taking it in his lunch for fruit break and it has just enough time to defrost.  This apple sauce is healthy and yummy! Enjoy!

Garwood Orchards –

U-Pick 10am to 5pm

5911 W. 50S

LaPorte, In.         219.362.4385

 

Fall Fun!

Today is Labor Day which officially marks the end of Summer.  For some people this means back to school, and the end of short weeks, and family vacations.  For others, its the beginning of a whole new fun season to enjoy around Chicago land.  Farmers Markets are still in full swing for another 2 months or so, so be sure to check them out, in the city and the suburbs. Fall produce is hearty and brings another fun dimension to your grilling and cooking.  Acorn and Butternut Squash, Apples, Pears, Mushrooms, and Pumpkins, are a few favorites my family enjoys.

Apple and pumpkin picking can be a great way to enjoy a weekend with friends and family, not to mention bringing home some tasty souvenirs.  There are many places around Chicago land that make a day trip to one of these fun country getaways worth the gas.  For a great resource on picking around Chicago land, click here!

And how can we forget Football season?  With the college season underway this weekend, and the Bears beginning their action next Sunday in Indy, there are so many local and state teams to grab the kids and catch a little football action!

Of course, as we begin the home stretch towards the holidays, we mustn’t forget the last flurry of real estate activity.    For the 3rd straight week, interest rates have dropped.  Sales prices are slowly rising, and areas that have been hard hit by plumeting prices are starting to rebound.

With all this positive news and fun to be had, get out there and enjoy the last bit of summer, and welcome Fall with excitement!  To find out about how to take advantage of the real estate market before you settle in for the winter, or if your just want some more fun fall ideas, contact us at kjpremier@atproperties.com.