Fall in Michigan: Cider Mills and Chili Season

September in Michigan is hard to beat. Football is back, cider mills are opening, and it's finally cool enough to start making chili again. Here are a few of my favorite things about this time of year.

🍎 Cider Mill Season

Franklin Cider Mill | Bloomfield Hills

If you want the classic Michigan cider mill experience, this is it. Fresh cider, warm donuts, the water wheel and a walk along the river. Franklin usually opens in early September and is open daily through the fall.

Yates Cider Mill | Rochester Hills

Another Michigan classic, and one of the oldest working water powered mills in the state. Cider, donuts, baked goods and their Friday apple fritters make this an easy fall stop.

Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill | Armada

If you want to make more of a day out of it, go here. Blake's has the full orchard experience, including Honeycrisp U-Pick in mid September.

Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill | Plymouth

A great one for the whole family. Fresh pressed cider, donuts made daily, wagon rides, farm animals and live music on the weekends.

Rob's Recommendation: Neely Family Chili

There's nothing better than a big pot of chili on a fall weekend with Michigan Football or the Lions on TV and a house full of family and friends. My family has our own chili seasoning recipe that we've made from scratch for years. I can't give away all of our secrets, but grab your favorite chili seasoning and you'll be good to go.

Serves 4 to 6

What you'll need:

• 1 packet of your favorite chili seasoning
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

To make it:

1. Brown: Cook the ground beef and onion in a large pot until the beef is browned. Drain the excess grease.
2. Add: Stir in the diced tomatoes, water or broth, and the chili seasoning.
3. Simmer: Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the beans: Stir in the kidney and pinto beans and simmer for another 10 minutes.
5. Serve: Season to taste and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onion or your favorite toppings.

Home in 60 Seconds: Before You Turn the Furnace On

Swap out your furnace filter. After running the AC all summer, it's one of those small things that's easy to forget and takes about a minute to knock out.

While you're at it, check that your vents are clear and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Do it now and you'll have one less thing to think about when Michigan decides it's winter overnight.

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