Well hello there!!  Thanks so much for your patience this past week!  I told some of you already on the DG Facebook page, but we moved the site to a new server last week and there were some growing pains.  I think we finally have most of it sorted out, so fingers crossed it’s smooth sailing from here!

This past weekend was our first big fall adventure – apple picking!  We are finally done with some of the summer farmer’s markets for the kombucha business, which means our weekends are bit more free.  Since we had a whole Saturday in front of us and the sun was shining, we headed out into the country side. 

I know I’ve talked about this here before, but Casey’s most hated day of the year is when we go to the pumpkin patch.  He doesn’t like the manufactured “farms” that cater to city crowds so that kids can pose on tractors and choose pumpkins were all just hauled in from somewhere and dumped in the grass.  And to be honest, I kind of agree.

Especially being small business owners ourselves now, we really like to find people who are working hard to create something in our community.  And Skipley Farm was exactly that. 

The nice men who helped us lived in the farmhouse, raised the animals themselves, and knew more about apples than I even knew was possible.  We were lucky to be some of the only people there on a gorgeous fall day, and the kids couldn’t wait to get started. 

We tried to explain how to look for good apples, and that we only wanted to bring home the best ones.  I feared that, unlike blueberries – where you can never have too many, we might end up with 50 pounds of apples. 

Of course like any fruit-picking activity, eating them was the main event.  We had a map of over 100 different varieties that were out in the fields, and it was really interesting to see just how different some of them were from others! My favorites were the Liberty – bright red with a crisp white inside, that almost looked like a giant radish.

It is so nice that they are finally both big enough to do big adventures and all enjoy and participate.  They love each other so much, and I can’t handle how much it means to me.

As I’ve mentioned before, it’s been a busy summer full of business growth and lots of farmers markets, and while we had a ton of fun – we were also spread very thin.  Casey and I tended to be ships passing, trying to get it all done, and so this day of family time was much needed, and so appreciated.

And look – mom was there too!  A rare step onto the other side of the camera to prove that I am actually a part of our family adventures too. :)

Such a fun time with my little people!  Lots of talk of the apple pies we would make when we got home.

And we certainly brought home more than enough apples to make that happen.  As usual, we had no self control and bought something like 15 pounds of apples – absurd! 

We’ve already made (and eaten) an enormous batch of homemade applesauce in the rice cooker.  And I’m currently sitting here snacking on a big plate of apples and cheese as a late breakfast (and coffee #3…). 

Any favorite pie recipes you want to share?  I promised Cullen pie, so I have to deliver!  Next week we head to the Pumpkin Patch with school, and hoping to hit a few fall festivals in the coming month as well.  Happy fall (and Thursday!) to all of you – thanks again for your patience during our server move!

Fall is slowly arriving in Seattle, and I feel ready!  I am trading in the flip flops for the sneakers and boots again, and doing my best to keep my feet warm on these recent chilly mornings.  Thankfully, I have some new Bombas socks to help with that!

But I’m not the only one rocking the Bombas in our house.  There is also an AMAZING new Bombas Kids Collection, with calf, knee, and ankle sock options for the tiniest little feet.  And just in time for back to school season!

When we first tried out the kids’ socks in the spring, they were a bit too big for Graham, but they were perfect for Cullen.  And he absolutely LOVES them!  Most of his kid socks are super thin and worn, so these are a major upgrade.  He wore the calf socks all season long with his t-ball uniform – the perfect sock for filling that gap between cleats and baseball pants!

And since t-ball started in March, we had a lot of rainy practices and games.  He is like his dad in that he never complains, but I still felt good knowing his feet and ankles were dry and toasty. 

He also rocked the calf socks along with his adorable little running shorts during the Brooks Trailhead Kids Race!  He got lots of compliments on his gear, and he kept the socks on all day long afterward.  He was so proud to look and feel like a real runner!

Recently Bombas also launched a new line of Toddler Socks, and they are a HUGE hit on our house.  I was so excited to see that they fit both kids perfectly, and believe me when I tell you that they have worn them every day since they arrived. 

The boys love the athletic stripes and picking different colors each day, and I love that they actually have socks that stay up and are thick enough to protect their feet.

And while it might seem excessive to buy higher-end socks for two year olds, any mom of little ones knows that socks can actually be a HUGE battle.  The toe seams are lumpy and uncomfortable, the flimsy material  can bunch and cause meltdowns, and just the process alone of getting them on is can be enough to wave the white flag. 

These are so thick and seamless that the boys can actually get them on by themselves, which is a GAME CHANGER when we are trying to get out the door to school.  They have both also been insisting in sleeping in them at night.  They keep their shoes off when they are inside at school, so it’s nice that they have warm soft protection on their feet now in the classroom too. 

My other favorite part?  The bottoms of the toddler socks are all grey colored, so instead of looking filthy brown or discolored, they just look, well – grey!

With most kids heading back to school this month and fall weather arriving, now is the perfect time to stock up on new socks for the whole family.  Use the code DAILYGARNISH to get 20% off your purchase – applies to your first order of any size!

I wrote about Bombas a few years ago when the company was just taking off, but since then they have added a number of new styles and color options, which is really exciting.

If you are new to Bombas, let me fill you in.  They are athletic-leisure socks – or “athleisure” which is one of my favorite words.  They are high quality athletic socks with the following innovative features:

• Stay Up Technology – the calf socks don’t slip down at all!
• Blister Tab – the ankle socks have a tiny cushion that sits directly where your shoe hits your leg to prevent painful rubbing and chafing (which every runner has experiences!).
• Invisitoe – no more annoying bump that runs across the toes on most socks.
• Y-Stitched Heel – A Y-shaped stitch creates a natural cup around your heel, so your sock stays in place and doesn’t move around while the rest of you is moving!
• Extra Long Staple Cotton – warm in the winter, cool in the summer, with natural moisture wicking properties.

But the thing I love most about Bombas is that they are a company who gives back.  For every sock purchased, Bombas donates a pair to someone in need.  Did you know socks are the number one clothing request at homeless shelters?  Here in Seattle, local government has declared a state of emergency over homelessness, and it’s something that is on my mind every single day living in the city.

Bombas doesn’t just donate the same socks that they sell to consumers – they have formulated a special donation sock to meet the needs of those who wear them.  They have darker colors (to make wear less visible), an anti-microbial treatment, and reinforced seams for better durability.

Can you imagine not having a pair of clean, dry socks?  It really puts life into perspective when you think about all that we are so fortunate to have.  Our family donates clothing and children’s items to different charities here around the city, and I hope to get the boys involved in volunteering when they are a bit older.  Since launching in October 2013, Bombas has donated over 900,000 socks to those in need – pretty incredible!

When I first tried Bombas back in 2014, they were just offering the Originals style for men, women, and kids.  Since then the lineup of products has really expanded!  My new personal favorite is the Invisibles line!

I wear my Brooks Heritage Chariots or Vanguards every single day (no exaggeration).  I wear them with yoga pants to barre class, with jeans to chase my boys around the zoo, and in the evenings when I walk my pup around the neighborhood.  And up until now I’ve always worn them barefoot because I didn’t like the look of bulky socks sticking out.  Invisibles are  the perfect solution!

I actually bought a pair of Brooks Vanguards for my sister for her birthday, and her first comment was “I really like them, but what socks do you wear?”  Now I guess I need to send her some socks as well.  My feet are so much more comfortable and warm, but you can’t see the socks at all.  I will be stocking up on these! 

I love that Bombas has something for our whole family, and keeps us warm and protected through all the different part of our days. 

Many thanks to Bombas for letting me try their new styles, and for offering a discount to Daily Garnish readers.  Have a great rest of your week!

This post is sponsored by Bombas.  Thanks for your continued support of Daily Garnish.