An Apple Orchard Afternoon
The leaves are starting to turn all sorts of colors. Pumpkins are popping up on porches. And layers are starting to come out.
Lately I’ve been catching myself in a rut of doomscrolling when I don’t have anything planned for myself outside of work, tending to my home, or getting together with my friends.
I’m on a mission to change that. One day at a time. One activity at a time. I’m bringing presence back into my daily life.
Like it was before we all became glued to our phones for connection and inspiration. AND that’s what I started my OG bucket lists for to begin with.
Showing Up For Me
On a random Tuesday earlier this month, I had off from work, didn’t have any plans with friends, and honestly was pretty “caught up” at home. I noticed that I hadn’t taken some time specifically to refuel myself and fill my own cup up in a while.
Sometimes getting caught in what we think we have to get done will inevitably lead you into this trap. At least for me, I’ve noticed it happens quite frequently.
I thought about the things that would bring me some extra joy. Looked to my fall bucket list brain dump from earlier in the season ET VOILA, my afternoon was booked. For me, by me:
- OF COURSE a trip to TJ Maxx made it on the agenda
- A pit stop at a local apple orchard + pumpkin patch that I had discovered during my fall planning session
- Ran some errands that I knew would make me feel better
- Created a beautiful bouquet of flowers
- Made a delicious comfort dinner (scalloped potatoes and ham bc I was missing home)
- Talked on the phone with my mom for a couple hours too (it had been a while since I last talked to her)
It ended up being a perfect little reset day for myself, just what I needed.
Spranger’s Orchard + Schmalz Acres
After my fun little trip to TJ Maxx (AS MUCH as I love talking about my obsession with that store and my finds, that’s not what this blog post is about), I drove over to Kaukauna, WI where you can find Spranger’s Orchard and Schmalz Acres. I’ve had going to an apple orchard / pumpkin patch on my fall bucket lists for YEARS.
(In college, my friends and I would make an annual trip to one not far out of our college town and we always had a blast.)
I pulled into the parking lot and was honestly a little hesitant to go inside by myself (I’m working on the solo date thing). It still feels weird to show up somewhere on my own sometimes.
There was a retail store at the front of the property filled with handmade goods, jams and jellies, salsas, pickled vegetables, maple syrups, and fresh apple cider. They also had candles, apparel, and decor available for purchase too. In the back section of the store they had bags of the various varieties of apples from the orchard, a section for apple cider donuts AND apple cider slushies. IN BUCKETS.
Of course, I got myself an apple cider slushie bucket; the inside drizzled with caramel syrup and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. AND I upgraded to the one that came with an apple cider donut too. WHY NOT?
The Property
I wandered around the orchard a little bit, through the rows of trees, soaked up the sunshine, just took a moment to be in nature and feel the warm sun on my skin. After all, there aren’t going to be too many more days for that as the days get colder and sunlight dims earlier.
Embarrassingly, I admit I did take a few selfies and spotted some great photo op spots that would have been perfect had I been with others. You know, like if the girls took on the orchard?? I know I’ll look back on those pictures and be so grateful that this version of me still chose to take time for myself AND document it too (even if it did feel silly at the time).
There was honestly so much more to this beautiful property that I didn’t wander around to go see. The Adventure Zone, from what I’ve seen on their social media pages, on the weekends they have quite the variety of activities for kiddos, families and groups too.
A pumpkin patch, sunflower field, corn maze, live entertainment and vendors to name a few. I think it would be a lot of fun to get a group together for a fun fall day or afternoon.
Break Your “Regular” Routine
Whenever I’m starting to feel like I don’t know what to do next or find myself with an empty chunk of time, I’m learning to find inspiration from my seasonal bucket lists again.
I’m ready to make the change to live my life more presently and not wait around for others to join me. Social media will always be there and there will always be new content to consume, but we also have to remember to consume the life right in front of us too. No matter what season we’re in.
That’s where our memories live. I’m learning to listen to my body and what it needs at the time and I will continue to follow that whole heartedly so that I CAN create the memories I can’t wait to share from future me’s perspective.
