When we moved here last year, I was in awe of the fruit trees in our yard. I'm a suburb girl and never in my life have I had anything even close to fruit trees in my yard! I just thought it was very cool to be able to go out back and pick an apple and eat it. Some people do this with vegetable gardens, but I don't know much about those (at least from personal experience) either. I know it shouldn't seem so strange, but really all of my fruits, vegetables, and yes, even spices just come from the store. And frankly, I've been known to kill a cactus!

This year we were on track to actually pick and eat that fruit! I live in the land of apple trees and grape vines, so pretty much everyone has something in their yard. Heck (that's farm talk), Kyle grew up in the land of fruit trees and had peach orchards in his back yard. He thinks its funny that I've never eaten a fresh apricot. Or mango. And then there was the time I was eating a nectarine at my grandma's house and said, "What is this I'm eating? It's delicious." It's called a nectarine...welcome to the world. I don't know, we weren't big fruit eaters in our family. Grab a banana or an apple and call it a day.

I have fairy tale visions of my kids looking back on their childhood and remembering the women of the family gathering to make applesauce from the fresh apples out back. I want them to smell cinnamon and think of dear old mom slaving over a hot stove making them the best applesauce they have ever eaten. And I will go down as the best mom ever.....fairy tale visions, I tell ya.

























Well, just in case they don't quite remember it as I will tell it to them over and over again, here are the pics to prove it did happen. At least once.

I have to say, this was the highlight of all the summer festivals. Of course, anything with animals is a hit with the kids.



Seriously, look at this kid...(ha)





Then there was a bit of competition, but I think Cameron had this guy.









And Kaela...she's a tough cookie, I'm sure she can beat the guy in the skirt.







Painted the Blarney.





And my favorite part...BIG BUBBLES! I really don't know what it was, but I beat out all the little kids so I could stand there and play in bubbles. I'm not ashamed, but I did let Cam have a turn. You know, try to teach him sharing and all...hmph...



Last, but certainly not ever the least of WNY festivals...the food. We sampled one, and then two more Scottish eggs. But the favorite was the Guiness ice cream. I might follow these Lake Effect guys from festival to festival--just call me a snow head. Ice head?