A day painting in a orchard

A Day at Morning Glory Orchard: Painting, Sketching & Apple Slushies

There’s something magical about painting outdoors, especially in a place as charming as Morning Glory Orchard. This weekend I packed up my sketchbook, paints, and canvas for a little self-guided creative adventure.

The day began in the barn that doubles as a general store. Inside, shelves were filled with local treasures — jars of jam, fresh honey, handmade gifts — and best of all, a friendly hound dog ready to greet me. After checking in, I headed straight for the orchard.

Among rows of apple trees, I searched for the perfect spot to set up. The late summer light filtered through the branches, making the apples glow. I started by sketching in my sketchbook, loosening up and capturing the shapes. Then I moved to canvas, letting the colors and textures of the orchard inspire me. There’s something about painting outdoors that adds life and energy to each brushstroke.

Of course, no orchard visit is complete without a little treat. I cooled off with an apple slushy — crisp, sweet, and refreshing.

Back at home, I filmed a process video of my apple tree painting to share how it came together step by step. I also couldn’t resist showing the goodies I picked up in the general store — small reminders of the day. To wrap it all up, I pulled up a photo of the farm building and hosted a cozy “sketch with me” session.

This day reminded me of how art and place connect so beautifully. Inspiration can come from something as simple as a tree in an orchard, a dog in a store, or a cold slushy on a warm day