Wisconsin Autumn = rad

Since I'm such a seasoned Wisconsinite [ahem] and have been here a whopping year and four months, it's my duty to share the glorious parts of this state. That way when I start to whine about the horrendous winters you can't say it's all bad up here, because it isn't. It's just a little rough from November to April, that's all.

Anywho, where was I last fall? I know I lived here but I sure as heck don't remember the gorgeous leaves and the crisp air like I've noticed this year. Maybe I was still too busy acclimating to this new climate to notice that Wisconsin puts on quite the show in the fall. Love it. Visitors welcome in October, that's for sure.

On Sunday Nate and I ventured to a little fruit farm to pick apples and pumpkins. Not only was it entertaining to watch Nate leap for the highest apples but it was incredibly cheap: a huge bag of apples for only $10, pumpkins for $2 each, and the most pimped out carmel apple for $2.50:) 

Here are some of the reject Jonagolds fallen to the ground. 

And here are a whole bunch of Ira Reds laying low. Not sure what they do with all of these guys? Makes a pretty picture though!

Now technically they had ladders available 'at your own risk' but Nate thought that was the easy way out. He preferred to jump and grunt and nearly twist his ankle for the likes of these beautiful babies:

Irresistible! 

Then all of a sudden I heard, "Aw heck yeah!" and thought he must have found a real beaut. Sure enough, the boy found a freakin $20 bill on the ground! Nobody was around so we couldn't exactly be good samaritans and return it. We really like this apple orchard now:)

Tons of Jonagolds and Ira Reds = yummy treats for lunch. Plus we went ahead and bought some of the pre-picked Mackintoshes for an apple pie. Who knows how we'll manage to bake an apple pie but we gotta learn sometime, right?

I mean, it was basically a perfect day. Isn't this a pretty picture?

Next we headed over to the pumpkin patch. Nate intensely scouting out the perfect pumpkin:

I was quite fond of these little guys, myself.

But then I found a near perfect one, fit to be carved:

But there were so many to choose from we each took one home. I like to get artsy with the camera sometimes. 

Besides the fun Autumn activities up here, we are at the peak of changing leaves. In fact, I think we are probably past the peak since quite a few have already lost them...but I snapped these pictures one day on my way to work last week. I was totally that crazy girl parking her car and taking random pictures in odd locations, all because I was drooling over the colors. 

Here is our tree-lined street full of golden bliss. 

MUCH better than this shot I took in March, right? ::shudder::

Okay, let's stay in the present. Here is a gorgeous tree across the street a few days ago:

And here it is now, already ditching some of the green:

Love it!

When the sun comes out and hits the leaves it makes me want to cry [slightly dramatic, I know].

On the way to work, I found this guy:

And this bunch at a cemetery. Although it was a little creepy to take pictures here I'm so glad I did---this orange has to be my favorite:

But let's not forget about the yellows:

This could be a postcard, don't you think?

And walking up to the hospital on a picture perfect day:

Fall berries of some sort:

Mmmm, love this one. 

Here is the view from my floor in the hospital. This shot really doesn't do it justice but you get the idea. 

Some night this week, we are going to attempt that apple pie and pumpkin carving. I also want to roast the pumpkin seeds even though I have no clue where to begin with that, either. At least I'm trying to channel my inner Martha, right?

What is your favorite part of Autumn? The leaves? The smell in the air? Returning to yummy soups and chili and hearty meals like that? I'm loving it all right now.