Some people know fall has arrived when the leaves begin to turn. For me, the annual drive toward Kenton for apples makes it official. I realize some people enjoy picking apples off the tree, but I prefer buying them already picked.

I stock up on the crunchy fruit and, even more, fresh apple cider, at an Amish farm near Kenton. Our family has a very strong opinion when it comes to apple cider—the flavor of cider purchased from a farm is the best.

Here’s my apple cider hack:

Fresh apple cider doesn’t last long in the refrigerator; fortunately, though, it freezes well. However, since liquid expands as it freezes, I pour off a couple cups from each gallon before placing the container in the freezer. This leaves room for expansion, the jug stays in one piece, and we get a taste of fall well into winter.

The drive up to the apple farm is just one part of the tradition. Yellow and orange leaves stand out against harvested fields. Laundry on the clotheslines and hand-lettered signs at the end of the lanes listing what they have for sale add a homey touch to the journey.

Yes, they had eggs to buy, but with our own flock of hens, we have plenty of brown and green eggs. I searched for noodles and maple syrup too but didn’t find any.

We never head home without stopping at the Amish baked goods store on Warren Road. The vintage oven there is mesmerizing. It makes me think of all the delicious things they bake in it.

They must have had an incredible day of sales because every pie was gone. But I did bring home a dozen monster cookies, which were perfect for our busy weekend with guests.

My plan for the bags of apples is to dehydrate most of them. Recently, I found out my youngest daughter loves dried apples. Since they’re easy to make, we’ll dehydrate a half bushel this week.

The rest will become applesauce, then apple butter. As it cooks down in the roaster pan for several hours, the aroma of cinnamon and cloves will fill the house. No homemade potpourri could smell better.

Our trip, once again, a success, I came home with apples, cider and, as usual, something sweet. Plenty to keep me busy in the kitchen in the days ahead. Another October trip to Pfeiffer Station General Store is complete and, at our house, fall has officially arrived.