When summer starts winding down and my dread of a fall that will quickly turn to winter kicks up a notch or so, the one thing that always draws me out of my negative spiral is going apple picking with the girls. It’s so simple, but it works every time.

Apples make me think of fall spices and baking and boots and cozy blankets. I’m ok with all of those things, which makes me realize that I’m ok with fall. The air is crisper, which means I can layer on a scarf and playground trips are less brutal and sweaty.

Yes, we eat apples year-round. But something about the act of going out and picking apples flips a switch in my overworked brain. While I watch the girls run through the rows of trees and take tastes of apples or even complain about the taste of a particular apple, I know everything is ok. I just need to relax.

A couple of weeks ago, we tried out an orchard we’ve never been to. My sister has been wanting to go to Fishkill Farms because they don’t use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. With a little more digging, I learned that they’re all about sustainability, which got me even more excited to check them out.

Also, the place is freaking beautiful.