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Garden Gate:  I'm in Apple Heaven!  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 28 2010 : 7:53:02 PM
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Hi girls! I am just so excited and have to share:
Today we went to our friends' home for a picnic. While relaxing in the fresh air and sunshine, we noticed they had fruit-filled apple trees waving in the wind, waaaaaaaay yonder in the back of their yard near the woods (it's a HUGE yard!). Her husband told us to go ahead and pick as many as we want, adding, however, that they hadn't been sprayed, so they are as natural, organic and delicious as they come, but not very pleasing to the eye. He came down with us and picked one to show what he meant. They look a little gross on the outside, to be honest; but when he scrubbed away whatever it was with his fingernail, underneath was a beautiful, shiny apple! All I could think was, "YES! I'm IN!!!"
My hubby - for a brief period losing all awareness of the aches and pains of his mid-forties - climbed and shimmied his way up the old tree branches as if he were 15 again. He was relishing every moment, giddily laughing at me as I, "Look out!"-ed and "Be careful!"-ed and "Oh my gosh! You're gonna fall!"-ed to him with his every move! Of course, his shimmy-ing and shaking also caused a constant pummeling of loose, rotting apples to dive-bomb from the branches straight at my head (I think he was having great fun at my expense!); but it was a small price to pay... We laughed 'til our bellies ached. I had apple leaves stuck throughout my hair. We just had SUCH a blast!
It was tough to find apples that weren't worm-holed, but he did. He'd call down "Aaaa-pple!" and toss his treasures down to my eager, awaiting hands. A bushel of bounty later, we were revelling in the fragrance of gloriously fresh, wholesome apples - in THREE different varieties!
I came straight home, got out a clean scrubbie and washed them clean. Oh my - FAB-U-LOUS!!! Beautiful yellow, red and green apples began to emerge with every rub! So crisp. So juicy. So fresh - Oh! They're the best tasting apples I've ever had! And they smell SOOOOOOOO good! Mmmm - M! Thank YOU Mother Nature!!! Thank you God, above! I swear, I did the "Apple Cha-Cha" the whole time I was standing at the sink! LOL!
Tomorrow I am going to make a fresh apple pie and then can cinnamon applesauce with the rest. I am SO excited! A glorious foretaste of autumn!!! I wish you could all be here to share!!! :)
Yep, it's true! The best things in life ARE free!
- Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2010 : 8:08:52 PM
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OOHH Nini- your descriptions just have my mouth watering! I can smell the apples all the way here in New York. YUM!!
Enjoy your pie, and applesauce. It sounds like you and your DH had a great time getting them too!
Smiles,
Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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shunger
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Suzanne
Helena
MT
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 08:49:35 AM
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How wonderfully fun. I looked for apples at the farmers' market yesterday, but I didn't find any. I want to make a lot of applesauce this year.
One year when I was about 10 we were gathering some apples on an old abandoned farm when we were treed by some cows. They had gotten particularly wild and ornery as they had been left to fend for themselves all summer. I've great memories of picking apples, and Nini, your story brought some back. Enjoy. Suzanne |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2010 : 11:42:27 PM
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I got some apples from a friend of mine, they smell heavenly indeed :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2010 : 8:57:25 PM
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Oh, that's great, Marian! What kinds of apples do they have over in the Netherlands?
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 05:55:06 AM
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THAT'S what I'm talking about. Moments like you and hubby shared are the real treasures in life. And, your little happy dance at the sink. Something like that should happen for each of us each day. Enjoy your apples to the max.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3338 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3338 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 07:24:26 AM
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My mouth actually started to water Nini!
You are a born story-teller-
This is my favorite time of year here in the North Woods---
Apple picking time!
We planted 3 apple threes in the backyard about 10-years ago and we have never sprayed. So the apples are knarley and nubbly, but still a good size and perfect for Apple Betty or an Apple pie----I think I am going to bake a pie today too!
Thanks for the post Nini----
Melody-Farmgirl #525
www.bythebayhandcraftedsoap.blogspot.com
www.melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com
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Homekeepn
Farmgirl in Training
42 Posts
Cathy
West Gardiner
Maine
USA
42 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 5:30:04 PM
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Apple picking is always a memorable event. I remember when my son was 4, just he and I went out to a local orchard. I brought hot cocoa to warm up with and a thick blanket ( it was a very cool fall day ). He picked the "drops" and never noticed the apples in the trees. Later at home he helped me make apple brownies.
Some years we go on a wagon ride to get to the trees, pick bags full of early macs, and we always hit the orchard shop to buy cider, fudge, or spiced donuts. This is usually when we get some pumpkins too. My daughter likes to bring one of her friends with us. I think they like to spend more time taking pictures in the orchard then actually picking apples.lol. Then at home there are pies to bake and applesauce to can.
Those are the kind of days that will always be remembered.
Nini...what a great day you and your husband had to think back on when you are eating the applesauce this winter. Thank you for sharing.
---Cathy--- |
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Garden Gate: I'm in Apple Heaven! |
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I'm in Apple Heaven!
