Sunday, October 11, 2020

Cider and Donuts


On a beautiful day we paid a visit the Dexter Cider Mill.


The Dexter Cider Mill, now open for its annual cider making and
sales of home-made donuts, cider, and other autumn treats.
Dexter, Michigan, is a half-hour's drive from our house in Ann Arbor.

We bought half-a-gallon of cider to take home.

We ate our donuts at the cider mill, sitting on a bench
not near other people.

"Social Distance" sign.

Tables beside the river in back of the Cider Mill.

The Dexter Cider Mill, longest-running cider mill in Michigan, was founded in 1886 by the VanNatter Family. From 1900 to 1986, it was owned and operated by the Otto Wagner family. The current owners, Nancy & Marty Steinhauer and their parents have owned and operated the cider mill since 1986.  (source)

A few miles from the cider mill: a little lake that seems to have no name. 


Another beautiful day: cider and other treats outdoors in our back yard.


Cider, apples, and pineapple upside-down cake
protected by fly screens.

Len's apple bread: flavored with cider and apples 
from the cider mill.

We were celebrating our friend Abby's birthday with this backyard supper.

Cider is the symbol of autumn, at least here in Michigan where we have many apple orchards and traditional cider mills. The Dexter Cider Mill is right on the river. Long ago, it may have used water power, though it no longer has a water wheel or a mill race on the site. I suspect that this very popular seasonal attraction is dangerously crowded on weekends, but we chose a Thursday afternoon, when very few people were present. All seemed quite safe. 

Elizabeth at the blog Altered Book Lover offers a weekly blog event each Tuesday, celebrating beverages. Cider seems like the perfect choice this week!

Blog post and all photos © 2020 mae sander for mae food dot blog spot dot com.

23 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

How do you enjoy cider? With ice or drink it hot?
Happy Birthday to your friend Abby!

Anne in the kitchen said...

Cider is not a big thing around here, possibly because his is not an apple growing area. Occasionally in the winter we have hot mulled cider, but I am sure the stuff I buy in the store can't compare with fresh pressed cider.
Your patio is gorgeous!

Jeanie said...

I'll probably stop at Phillips cider mill on my way home from the lake, and yes, I'll get a donut and maybe some cider too. It's just what we DO up here in Michigan! It looks like a great day out and good after celebration too!

My name is Erika. said...

Cider is the perfect choice. But I haven't had any cider donuts this year. I've been thinking I really must do something about that. Hmmm. You outdoor celebration looks wonderful. Happy early T day. Hugs-Erika

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

What a beautiful place to visit! So perfect for autumn. I don't know that I've ever tried apple cider but I bet it is delicious.

Have a great week.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

When I think of autumn, I think of hot chocolate, egg nog, and pumpkin bread, but never apple cider. My friend Scott, on the other hand buys apple cider as soon as it's available. I enjoyed the visit to the Dexter Cider Mill. It sounds like a wonderful tourist attraction for me. I am in awe of your meal you shared with your friend, too. And now I want a donut. Thanks for taking us to Dexter Cider Mill and sharing time with Kathy's bear for T this week, dear Mae.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

How lucky you are to have this so close to home. I might have been tempted to buy more as I love cider but here I drink it mostly in summer.

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, Teddy, so cute again.
It all sounds and looks so yummy! My brother picks apples in his yard and brings them to a place nearby where they make juice from them for him. Very yummy and you know what´s in there.
Beautiful shot of the lake, too.

Divers and Sundry said...

I haven't had cider yet this year, and it's time. The apple bread looks tasty. The outdoor setting is nice :) Happy T Day!

Linda Kunsman said...

Yes, it is cider time:) Just watched a show about cider making. I remember my Uncle taking us to a farmer in France in the Brittany region to get family made fresh, and hard cider. Nice to have near a fire on a crisp cool autumn eve... happy T day!

kathyinozarks said...

What a lovely place to enjoy and buy cider and donuts. I have always loved cider and it's hard to find the "good" cider like you have. since we are watching carbs sadly I had to stop buying it-I do miss it. Happy T wishes Kathy

Valerie-Jael said...

Fun way to celebrate with cider and donuts. I used to drink cider occasionally when I was living in England, but haven't done so for years now. Looks like you had a great back-yard celebration. Happy T day, Valerie

CJ Kennedy said...

What a beautiful place! I love cider, either cold or mulled, and who can resist apple cider donuts especially with those views. You set a lovely outdoor table, too. Happy T Day

Eileen Bergen said...

I enjoyed your visit to the cider mill. It's very pretty, especially this time of year. Teddy looks quite content with his cider and cookies. The apple bread sounds delicious.

Happy T-day! Stay safe and stay well. Hugs, Eileen

LA Paylor said...

yes to cider donuts!!! I miss'em
They don't seem to do that here in Colorado but I tried, I bought cider and made a cake that was... okay! Better than the dry muffins I made with it.

Let's Art Journal said...

What a fabulous place to visit and the donuts and cider looks so delicious - yum! I loved seeing the autumnal leaves too and your outside goody treats look amazing 😁. I made pineapple upside down cake this week too! Wishing you a very happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x

Aj @ Read All The Things! said...

Beautiful photos. And donuts! Those are one of my favorite foods. Now I really want one. I hope you have a great week!

Aj @ Read All The Things!

Lisca said...

What a lovely place to visit. And a fun autumn tradition: cider and donuts. I love cider.Especially the English cider. All we get here is French cider and that is like sweet cheap fizzy wine, and it is low alcohol. I prefer the stronger stuff like Strongbow, which is not so sweet.
Your little party in the garden looks great with delicious food. The pineapple upside down cake looks very nice indeed. What have you put in the holes of the pineapple? (They are not cherries, which is what I use). The apple bread looks very yummy and is making me hungry.
Now that I have worked up an appetite, I am now going to sort out our own supper.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca

Jackie McGuinness said...

I have to plan an outing like this!

Kate Yetter said...

Your trip to the cider mill looks like great fun. Apple picking and eating cider donuts has always been a favorite fall activity for us. Those donuts have my mouth watering. What a wonderful fall picnic to celebrate your friends birthday.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

DVArtist said...

This is a wonderful post. Full of beauty and ohhhh apple cider and donuts how can one go wrong with that? I enjoyed this very much.

Karen said...

What a fun outing ~ Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures with us. Apple cider does say Fall to me too. Your table of food looks and sounds delicious. ~ Blessings to you!

Sharon Madson said...

Thank you for the lovely photos and post. Sorry, I am so late to say happy t day, so Have a great week-end. Now, to have a cup of tea, your cider made me want. :)