Friday, October 26, 2012

Making a Moment with a Majestic Mountainside Fall Picnic





Today I am partnering again with Rosanna, my FAVORITE dish company! Rosanna's heart and her passions mirror my own.   And!!  ...her dish collections are simply beautiful.   Her blog, Table Talk by Rosanna, shares how to make the most of moments, the importance of gathering together in community, cultivating beauty around the table and with meals anywhere, and living with depth and purpose while enjoying this blessed life.   Be sure to click on over to her blog today to see HER post that is paired with this post today! 

Today's post focuses on some of these qualities mentioned above.   The boys and I took a purposeful autumn road trip to the forest to celebrate the season and spend time enjoying beauty with nature and food TOGETHER.

I just shared last week about our visit to the apple orchards.  We took FULL advantage of FALL because after our time at the orchards we drove up the mountain to end our day with a fall picnic.




We wove our way along some bendy mountain roads, keeping our eyes open like little foxes for the PERFECT picnic spot.



And then this picture perfect view landed in front of us, sparkling with yellow leaf reflections in the water, announcing it's prestige and beauty for us to witness.  We were the only visitors in this goldmine spot.





This is where we would "tailgate", lifting the back of our SUV, pulling out pretty baskets of apples, bottles of cider, blankets, and soup, trampling through crunchy leaves, and creating a PICNIC!



None of this picnic food was homemade.  It was all easy grab n go from the grocery store!  Super easy loves.  :)

Both of our un-homemade desserts were a hit!  These pretty sandwich maples from Trader Joe's provided maple perfection!   Have you ever heard of ESP pies (Extra Special Pie)?  The packaging is SO CUTE and they taste excellent.






Other pre made fall picnic treasures in our basket:



And more!



Dinty Moore Beef Stew in a tall thermos is just right for October days in the forest.




And what is even better than cozy and warm food is cozy brothers!




The boys frog jumped across boulders, cut across the grassy fields, and collected big sticks while I set up our lunch.




Can you see it?  
In the middle of the majestic mountains is an intentional gathering, breaking up the gentle nature, but only for a brief moment.

  


And just beyond our place of gathering are mountains with camouflaged patterns of deep greens and bright yellows...the type of view that commands all of your attention.



The sun was burning deep and low into the side of the mountain as we prepared to celebrate fall in the quiet mountains of Colorado.



A silent peek through the browned leaves show our gentle festivities breaking up the otherwise still forest.



A closer focus shows the details...



Plump pumpkins light up the fields, with my favorite one nestled in a Rosanna bowl.


Other than our family, the mountainside was empty and quiet. 


We had our Dinty Moore Beef Stew thermos, a basket of apples from our orchard visit, apple cider, and homemade apple sauce in our picnic wagon.  On a recent visit, my aunt brought us some jars of her homemade applesauce from her trees.  It is delicious!  



The signature staple of fall:  apple pie!  My, my, apple pie!  This delicious apple pie dances on top of a beautiful clean white Rosanna cake pedestal.  



Cheese and crackers



Time to warm up!





Soaking up the fall sunshine, breathing in the brisk air, seeing gorgeous colors in every direction, and tasting autumn. 





When the boys finished eating, they geared up for some "backyard adventure exploring".   Cameron wore his new headlight, a birthday gift from my aunt and uncle.  (thank you!) 


Their adventure included finding items of nature.


And off they ran to begin!


As they made their way around the lake, I could barely see them because they blended into the beauty so well!



All too soon, their nature hunt was complete, our picnic mess was packed back into the wagon, and the blankets tucked under our arms as we made our way back to the tailgate of our SUV to pack up and drive down the mountain before the sun tucked away for the night!




My three loves during a day where we decided to
 MAKE THE MOST OF A MOMENT.




It was just an ordinary day...
turned extraordinary
by changing the direction of a normal day:
canceling routine, closing the door to unfinished chores,
and choosing to live life on a glorious fall day 
that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. 





"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."
Nathaniel Hawthorne


To see part ONE of this post check out our: Apple Orchard Day Out

For more Colorado fall leaf tours see:
Telluride
Grand Mesa




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This post is linked to: Under the Table & DreaminNifty ThriftySeasonal SundaysMade by You MondayMet Monday, Tuesday Tutorials and TipsHOMEWORK: Be InspiredTasty TuesdayTip JunkieGet Your Craft OnWorks for Me WednesdayOrganize and Decorate EverythingCelebrations at Home,Transformation Thursday,Tablescape ThursdayStrut Your Stuff36th AveFoodie Friday, Frugal FridayI'm Lovin ItTickled PinkFriday Flair, Design Dazzleeighteen25Be Different Act NormalFunky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up sew many ways Six Sisters Saturday

12 comments:

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Beautiful pictures!! They look so fun & perfect for a fall day!! Have a great weekend! xo Holly

b. said...

Looks like a perfect fall day! I can almost taste the fresh air.. Pretty pictures and views! The boys look like they're having so much fun and enjoying the food! I grew up on that stew lol... And those pies look adorable! I didn't know you had Trader Joes there, am I missing something? lol. I am loving that giant pedestal by Rosanna btw! Great size!!! Thank you for sharing this fun picnic.. Wish I was there!

Blondie's Journal said...

Your pictures are absolutely spectacular! What a fun day you had with your lovely family! I have to hit Trader Joe's for that pie! Yum!

XO,
Jane

The Tuscan Home said...

Can I come along on one of your adventures? ;) You are such a fun mom and you make each outing a cherished memory, love that about you! Have a wonderful weekend! XO ~Liz

Jane said...

Such beauty! You are blessed to be surrounded by this beauty. How nice that the boys still love to take party in these adventures. Treasure each moment...

I tried those Trader Joe's cookies last week (in GA). It was part of my first foray into a TJ store. (We do not have them here.) These cookies are quite tasty.

Have a fabulous weekend!
Jane

Michelle said...

What an AMAZING spot for a picnic and the food looks just as good! Yum! Thanks for sharing some fall-spiration!

Honey I'm Home Blog said...

Wow, I vicariously enjoyed your beautiful picnic. What gorgeous scenery!

Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust

Vee said...

How perfect. Those loves of yours are going to remember the day for a long, long time.

Ruth said...

Gorgeous spot to stop and enjoy the moment. Everything looks so wonderful and beautiful. Great memories in the making.
Ruth

Carolyn said...

Just to let you know I featured your wonderful project today.
Stop by and grab a featured button and thank you so much for sharing your project.
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-inspiration-board-link-party.html

Unknown said...

Seems like a great place to go camping, I'm sure my boys would love it too. Though I'd be more comfortable bringing our watsons caravans along so we can sleep there instead of a tent after the bonfire. I know it takes the fun out of it but as a mother, I'd put safety first.

Unknown said...

It sure looks like you had a blast. Now seeing this made me actually realize that it's been a while since we went on a camping. I guess it's time to gas up our camper van and take a trip.

-Lawrence Banks