#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Review: Sun High Orchards, Randolph, NJ

November 15, 2011 · Narrative

Sun High Orchards is one of those back-pocket type secret places that I love to introduce friends to.  We have been going there since Nick was Madeline’s age, and although I have definitely posted pictures I’ve taken there in the past, I don’t think I’ve given it a proper review.  It’s a well-kept secret off Route 10 in Randolph.  It’s small enough that you can see the kids while you’re sitting on their picnic benches, yet big enough that there is plenty for the kids to do.
SHO - Picnic Area

SHO - Pennants

SHO - Wood Stacks

The crackling fire smelled amazing when we walked into their general store.
SHO - Decorated for Chistmas

SHO - General Store
Inside, you can buy a variety of vegetables, fresh baked goods, homemade soups, order Thanksgiving pies, buy cheap bags of carrots to feed the animals, and even get an ice cream cone. They have a great assortment of nostalgic gifts that would be perfect for stocking stuffers.

SHO - Animal Feed

SHO - Cheesy Girl


SHO - Necessities

SHO - Sheep Feeding

SHO - The Bully

There are several pens with Oliver the pig, a handful of goats and sheep, hutches with rabbits, and even alapacas.

SHO - Girl Talk

I will spare you the picture of when Madeline got closerthanthis to kissing a goat full on the mouth.

That may or may not have been right before we made the kids bathe in hand sanitizer.
SHO - Cleaning Up

SHO - Nicholas Feeding Goats

SHO - Baby

SHO - Oliver

Weather and season-permitting, they have pony rides, pumpkin and apple picking (peach and corn too!) and even host birthday parties.
SHO - Pony Rides

SHO - Madeline Having a Moment

SHO - Sabrina

SHO - Pumpkin Patch
Can you tell she’s a photographer’s kid?

SHO - Love This

SHO - Budding Photographer

SHO - Look Ma

It’s a super budget-friendly place to visit, as they charge nothing for stopping in, nor an entrance fee.  You can pet all the animals for free, and buy carrots for them inside if you’d like. You can tour the apple trees, and in season, pay for what you pick. The staff is friendly and helpful, and it’s an awesome little stop for kids to poke around. They have been in business for 23 years, and well worth many visits.  Make sure to get their peanut butter cookies – a personal favorite.

November 15, 2011 – Bonus Photo
Adore
Today, Madeline’s class was told to draw what they were thankful for. The teacher said that Madeline took her piece of paper and sat down right away to color out this drawing. When she was asked what she was thankful for (as they wrote on the bottom for her), she said “My Mommy!” I am profoundly blessed and lucky. And, of course, framed it right away.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: apple picking, Randolph NJ, Sun High Orchards, things to do in NJ

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    November 16, 2011 at 7:55 am

    My favorite apple picking place! With my favorite kids! It really was so much fun to go and watch them. I feel like having the farm animals is key to the amusement though!

    Reply
  2. Kris #40 says

    November 16, 2011 at 9:46 am

    I went there for the first time this year on a field trip. It’s a great place! Maybe another trip soon is in order before next week.

    Reply
  3. lyann says

    November 16, 2011 at 10:03 am

    Beautiful kiddies!

    I love this. It’s so nice to see a place where the children can be entertained without the overstimulation of rides and loud music. And let’s not forget the all the merchandise they want you to buy.

    Reply
  4. Patsy says

    November 16, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Love this place! Haven’t been there the last couple of years, but now I’m wanting to make a special trip out there to visit the animals… and that general store! Love it!

    Reply
  5. Meg says

    November 16, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    That looks like such a wonderful day — and so fall-like! Love the treatment on your photos, too. It reminds me of cross processing — I love that look.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      November 16, 2011 at 10:16 pm

      Thanks, Meg! Actually, no post-processing on this set of photos beyond a wee bit of cropping. I was using the M setting on my Nikon, and love how they turned out.

      Reply
  6. Carlos E. Miranda says

    October 21, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    It was a wonderful find, we had a lot of fun with the animals and the rides, It is a keeper.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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