Pinch Me, I’m Applehappy.

Written by on in Tidbits and Treats

I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and…apples!

But apple cider donuts sure aren’t too bad, either. 😉

Hey, friends! I thank you all for continuing to bear with me these next two weeks. With 11 days (say what?!) to go until the wedding, my head is swimming with to-dos. But I did have some down time this weekend and I couldn’t resist sharing it with you!

As pictured above, Jill, myself and my good friend Lauren got applehappy – my new word – at the Long Grove Apple Festival on Sunday. It was an absolute treat and I took nearly all the photos my memory card would allow, so I’ll keep the chattiness brief. Or as brief as I can…let’s be honest.

Did any of you ever watch Gilmore Girls? I swear that downtown Long Grove is what Star’s Hollow was modeled after. There was even a “Kirk” there announcing the ice cream eating contest! We meandered around for a bit and then came across the town’s Country Store.

The sign outside welcomed us in. I thought of a certain Mama Pea.

Once we got inside, we were overwhelmed by all of the amazing local and seasonal goodies in stock! We tried apple, pumpkin and Hallowine (click the photos to enlarge).

We ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the apple and pumpkin butters, as well as the variety of pre-made breakfast mixes. Everything from apple-filled pancakes to pumpkin peanut butter waffle mix.

Once we left the Country Store, we meandered our way through the festival. I was immediately transported from Star’s Hollow to Hogsmeade.

Yes, Long Grove even has its own version of Honeydukes!

The selection was breathtaking. Candy corn, chocolate covered marshmallows, peanut butter and rice krispy treat cups the size of my fist, chocolate mummies on a stick, Bavarian pretzels, fluff pops with sprinkles and mint nonpareils.

But my two favorite displays are at the very bottom of the gallery – a sucker tree dedicated to vampires and pumpkin-colored POP! rocks. It doesn’t get much better than that.

The candy store was wonderful, but left our tummies grumbling! Fortunately, we soon stumbled upon the (very long) line for the Long Grove Apple Haus. Need a hint as to why the line was so long? Perhaps these can help explain.

Apple cider donuts! Oh, but it doesn’t end there. Apple Haus is also known for their brown bag apple pies and caramel apples of every variety with every topping you can imagine.

We all decided to go for an apple cider donut, which lived up to its reputation. Amazing!

Cider was also enjoyed by Lauren, a Long Grove resident and our host for the day.

After satisfying our cravings for something sweet, we continued to walk around, stopping in several small boutiques that had everything from 1950s memorabilia to Swedish chef hats. I loved watching little kids run around everywhere in light jackets. It was so quintessentially fall.

But eventually, our sweet tooth came back again.

Sweet corn. Butter. Salt. Pepper. Kernels in my permanent retainer. One of these things is not like the other, but it was definitely worth the extra diligent flossing that evening.

Speaking of corn, our wandering eventually led us to the Long Grove Popcorn Shoppe.

Look a little closer and you’ll find the most unique flavors I have ever come across! Blueberry, black cherry, strawberry? Banana and vanilla?

And just for kicks, let’s throw in a display of chocolate peanut butter fudge.

Don’t mind if I do.

Lauren ended up with a mix of the caramel and cheese popcorns, which both tasted great.

But we always save the best for last, right?

BELGIAN CHOCOLATE-COVERED RED GRAPES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I say this with enthusiasm because I am determined to recreate these at home. They came in white, milk and dark chocolate coatings. Chocolate-covered strawberries are probably my #1 favorite dessert, but these came very close to stealing the title and were by far the best festival food I ate all day. Sorry, apples.

The rest of our journey brought us to a farmer’s market, where I couldn’t resist snapping photos.

This was definitely the best way to welcome fall in Chicago. Thank you to Lauren for the invitation! Not only did we all have a blast, but I also created a new word. Applehappy. Definite win-win.

Have you or are you planning to attend any fall-themed festivals or events this year?

Abrazos,

39 Comments

  1. Those apple cider donuts look and sound heavenly! That town definitely reminds me of Stars Hollow! I’m hoping to find a Fall Festival to attend this year. The one you went to looks like a blast 🙂

  3. Did you happen to know that one of my favorite shows of all time is Gilmore Girls?! In my own mind, I am the fast-talking, witty and devastatingly beautiful Lorelai. And I see you found the sign in Stars Hollow to prove it’s true! Thank you for the photographic evidence. 😉

    Don’t forget to breathe during all this craziness! So excited for you…

  5. Ohhhh apple cider doughnuts are just incredible!!! I’m so bummed I missed our annual apple fest. I’ll have to find an apple doughnut elsewhere this year.

  6. Mmmm apple cider donuts! I don’t have any plans to attend any festivals but I do want to go apple picking before the season is over! Thinking of you in these last crazy days before the wedding Jenn :).

  7. My goodness, this looks like such a fabulous time! It definitely motivates me to get out there and enjoy some of this fall weather that quickly came!

  8. That looks like such a fun event!! And that food? Yes, please! I’m liking the looks of those apple cider donuts–I’ve been meaning to try my hand at making my own!!
    I usually attend the Apple Fest in Bayfield, WI, but sadly won’t make it this year due to schedule conflicts!

  9. Went apple picking at an orchard here in Minnesota this weekend–definitely one of the best parts of fall is indulging in apple and pumpkin treats! Looks like a wonderful time. 🙂

  11. oh my gosh! That looks like so much fun! I am totally craving some farm action. I may force Josh to take me this weekend. I want corn, candy apples & treats! What an event. I’m jealous!

  12. I’ve been wandering around some awesome farmers markets and am trying to convince friends to go apple picking with me! As for festivals, does Oktoberfest this weekend count!?

  13. OMG…I’m drooling looking at this post. This is the epitomy of why I LOVE FALL. All these great eats at the same time and the same place. No wonder I always gain a few pounds. 🙂

  14. I love Long Grove! I’m so sad that I missed Apple Fest…looks like you girls had a great time. There used to be an apple orchard (that has closed, unfortunately) that made the BEST apple doughnuts…I have dreams about them every fall!

  15. I hadn’t planned on attending any of the fall themed festivals this year. However, after looking at all your pictures I’m going to crawl our of my shell and check some of the local festivals out. All the food looked good and that town is SO cute!

  19. This post makes me so excited for fall! The crunchy leaves and crisp temps haven’t quite made it this far south yet, but I am looking forward to finding a pumpkin patch this weekend–Seth and I have grandiose pumpkin carving plans…

  21. I’m feeling a physical need for all things autumnesque and country-ish….and your Gilmore Girl reference brought me back to a simpler time, when watching the verbal banter between mother and daughter made me happy. Thanks!

  23. omg. this post was like a dream to me! Def looking this up to see if it’ll be here next week when I’m in Chicago. I own all seasons of Gilmore girls PROUDLY!! I can just FEEL fall through this fun post! Ahhh your wedding is coming up lady!!

  24. I was there, too! Waited about an hour for the donuts, wandered a bit, bought soap, and then succumbed to the call of caramel apple martinis. Agree – the perfect way to usher in autumn.

  27. I could walk around that town forever – I am still in love with Gilmore Girls. I frequently catch the reruns on ABC Family!
    I would have never thought to pair grapes and chocolate, but I bet they were yummy! I might be joining you in that recreation and I look forward to that post.
    The best thing we have here in the Fall is the Suffolk Peanut Festival. 4 days of entertainment, games, food, arts and crafts and, of course, the peanut butter sculpture contest. It’s a great event!

  28. I actually never attended a fall themed event, besides halloween parties and my own little fall dinner party as part as Project Food Blog Challenge #3, even if I’m of the very few that names fall as their favorite season. So looking at those gorgeous pictures, it simply makes me want to cook pumpkin pie and have a bite in those apple cider donuts!

  30. OMG. I soooo love Long Grove!! I didn’t know the Apple Festival has already happened!! Waaahh. Those donuts are the SHIZZLE aren’t they?? OMG I so need to do a Long Grove day. That is where I discovered @lynfredwinery and their Spiced Christmas Wine. TO. Die. For.

  32. Just found your blog..Love it! I want to live in Stars Hollow…of course I want Lorelai, Rory and Sookie to live there too! Oh wait….and Luke….yes definitely Luke too! On second thought, maybe just Luke…and the apple cider donuts!

  36. Stars Hollow was created from Washington Depot in Connecticut 🙂
    but from the pictures here Long Grove looks like an amazing place! I’m English, so I dream about visiting places like this…..

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