My mom is visiting this week from Milwaukee. We've spent most of her visit in the kitchen so far (this is the season for long hours there). Yesterday we decided to head over to Lansing to a small organic orchard yesterday for some autumn magic in the warm sunshine.

The drive was beautiful, the apples were perfect, and the woman who owns the orchard was a homeschooler's dream. As of today Sage is working on planting rootstock from crabapple seeds, discussing benefits of different grafting techniques, and planning our orchard.

The orchard we visited is Countryside near Lansing, IA. Jamie, the owner, has woven a rich history throughout her orchard and farm. Aside
from the apple trees one treasure was her work-in-progress "Wild
English Garden" – a collection of wild and heirloom plants rescued from
construction and demolition sites and roadsides throughout the region.

We'll be back next fall to be sure.