19th Century Fall Festival

This weekend we went to the Genesee Country Village and Museum for the Fall Festival.  It was how a village back in the 1800's would have come together to celebrate the harvest.  They would enter their jams, jellies, quilts, wood working and other items they had made.  We look forward to this weekend every year.  But honestly we look forward to every weekend at the museum.

There was definitely the feel of autumn in the air.  The leaves crunched under our feet as we walked through the village.  The smell of the wood burning in the hearths through out the village.  We finally had some autumn-like weather. 

One of my favorite things is to peek into the windows of the houses.  I often find myself thinking about the people who lived in these houses.   This is why I love this place so much.  It is not hard to think about the people who lived here.  The interpreters really do a wonderful job of telling us about the families. 

Here is the tollhouse keepers wife.  She was telling us all about our area's first toll roads. 

Ok now that we have paid our tolls we can venture out into the village to attend the fair.  As we rounded the corner we could smell so many wonderful things.

This is one of my favorite views of the museum.  We often love to sit on the benches and take in all the sights and sounds.  It is this time of the year my husband and I really start getting excited for our Yuletide tour.

Here we saw how corn was taken off the cob.  The piece of corn was dropped into the hopper at the top.  The wheel was turned and out came the corn into the pan on the ground.  The cobs were all that was left over. 

This would be given to the cattle as is.  It would be ground up further to give to chickens.  This young man was very knowledgeable when it came to all of this. 

The next thing we saw was making apple cider.  We noticed that for the most part making cider has remained the same throughout the years. 

The apples are cut up then dumped into the top where they are ground up.  Then they are placed into the press where the "magic" happens.  Out comes beautiful sweet cider.

The cider is then strained to take out all the stuff that came through the press.  So what you are left with is pure apple cider.  There is nothing like it.  Here is my little rant for the day... when things are boiled and cooked down so much it takes out all of the good stuff.  Take the apple cider for example.  If you are careful and keep things clean you will not have any issues with your finished product. 

From the village square we headed over to the Livingston-Backus house to see what was going on.  It was here we found the cook making some delicious goodies.

She was in the middle of making "Toad in the Hole".  If you have never done this you really should.  Its a fun way to eat eggs and toast.

You use a cookie cutter to cut out a shape in the center of the bread.  Butter both sides of the bread.  Place on the griddle.  Crack an egg into the center of the bread.  Let it cook.  I have always flipped mine once.

Hanging to dry in the kitchen is all kinds of herbs.  I just love the look of these throughout the kitchen. 

We stepped out the door and saw this on the ground.  A heart made out of leaves.  The kids got a kick out of it.

We decided to stroll through the museum vineyard.  I love seeing the not-so-common things the museum has to offer.

Beautiful plump grapes ready to be harvested.  The vineyard smelled of sweet grapes.  We loved walking up and down talking about grapes and vines.

As I looked up from the camera I saw this view.  This church holds special meaning to us.  It was here we became husband and wife on November 5, 2005. 

We strolled along further into the village.  Sometimes when we visit the museum we just love to stroll the streets.  That why getting a membership is the best option for us.  We can go for an hour or two whenever we want.

We stopped into the Jones Farm.  Mrs. Jones was cooking the noonday meal of fried apples, onions, potatoes and bacon.  It certainly smelled very good in there.  On the top of the stove there were corn cakes, creamed tomatoes and a pie. 

We had such a good time this weekend.  Not only because of where we went but because of who we were with.  It was the first time in a long time we ALL went somewhere together.  My husband, myself and all 3 of our children.  We laughed and had a great time.  I have learned to cherish those moments when they come our way.