SEASONAL NEWS & NOTES ~ FALL 2016
FA M I LI A R RHY THM S The change of seasons is always a time I look forward to, especially in the Smoky Mountains where we’re lucky enough to have four distinct seasons. For me, Fall is cooler temperatures, putting away my linen clothes and pulling out a favorite sweater, lighting fires, camping out, exploring the outdoors with crisper air, and those gorgeous leaves. These milestones roll around every year, comforting in their familiarity, yet somehow, new again too. I think about our garden here on the farm: we plant mostly the same crops, but each harvest is unique—some bigger, some smaller, some full of surprises. Fall is like that. Routine, but full of anticipation. As the school year starts, Fall brings a renewed energy. There’s a sense of starting with a clean slate—I almost feel like it’s the New Year. But instead of big resolutions, my family settles into traditions. Here in the South, that means football. So on Saturdays, you can find us with friends, peeling sweet potatoes to go with our burgers for the game. And it wouldn’t be Autumn to us without apples! It’s always exciting to go to the farmers market and have at least 10 varieties of ‘new crop’ apples to choose from. On a lazy weekend, we’ll often have a late breakfast—homemade waffles—and later, a light lunch of good ol’ sliced apples with peanut butter or a salad with roasted beets, chopped crispy apples and a little cheese. We also love to bring the apple press down to the Yallarhammer and make apple cider. Stop by and taste some yourself this Fall. Best of all, the crisp mountain air is the perfect reason to spend lots of time together outside: hiking, exploring Blackberry Farm, building a fire after the sun goes down, family campouts complete with kumbaya sessions (just kidding!). One of our favorite Fall activities? Cycling the Cades Cove loop, a 12-mile path through the heart of the Smoky Mountains National Park. We will definitely miss Sam this Fall as we ride it, but we’ll all push extra hard up those hills in his honor. I hope that turning up West Miller’s Cove Road is as much of a treat to you this season as it is to me. The brilliance of the Fall colors never fails to remind me to embrace the moment and take it all in. Right now is a magical time for us to get out, explore and enjoy the beauty of Blackberry Farm. I invite you to do the same on your next visit, whether you choose to explore the wine cellar or explore our favorite family bike routes. We look forward to welcoming you this Fall!
Mary Celeste Beall, Proprietor