Apple picking

Fall started this week. We decided to get in with the apple picking, a traditional Fall family activity, early this year. We headed up to Stuart's farm, enjoyed a picnic, went on a tractor ride and then picked apples. A lovely few hours in the sunshine.

Fight or embrace: Starbucks

OK so you know the answer to this one. But it wasn't always that simple.

Living in the UK I wasn't a fan. I thought they were a huge faceless company and other places deserved my business.

But then I moved here and started frequenting the one in Rye (too much). And not only is their hot chocolate some of the best I can buy here, it manages to feel like a friendly local coffee shop. Staff know my order, my name. They welcome the boys like long lost friends. 

And then there's the technology. First it was just paying via my phone. And now it's ordering via my phone and skipping the wait.

And you have to credit the power of the branding that Ethan who, after just his first visit, could spot the Starbucks branding in new places and know he's get a yummy treat.

So yes, they converted me and now they're fully embraced!