Saturday was spent in an orchard. A day before the weather decided to drop to a reasonable temperature. But also a day before the rain came.
The sun was high in the sky by the time we got there but the trees provided shade as we plucked ripe apples from burdened branches. Free roaming chickens scratched for bugs in the ground around our feet. Roosters called their disapproval at our disruptive presence. The fattest pigs we've ever seen were eating the rotten apples that people had left behind. Jokes were made about delicious apple bacon being the farmer's winter feast. The pigs were too busy eating to overhear their predicted perilous fate.
Even with the animal distraction we managed to pick two bushels of Stayman Winsaps from those trees. Tart yet sweet, and not at all grainy, just as we like them. Perfect for the pie and the butter and the sauce. Or for taking a big, juicy bite of, especially while it's still sun-hot and crisp.
We bought a gallon of fresh pressed cider on the way out and dispersed cups to hot kids waiting in a van that quickly got a pungent aromatic mix of sweat and earthy apples. We rode home in the noisy excitement that comes from spending a day on a farm. Energized by sun and dirt, animals and a little hard work. Stories told of orchard adventures and plans made for the apple goodness that's coming our way. It's one my absolute favorite ways to spend a day.
Saturday was spent in an orchard. A day before the weather decided to drop to a reasonable temperature. But also a day before the rain came.
The sun was high in the sky by the time we got there but the trees provided shade as we plucked ripe apples from burdened branches. Free roaming chickens scratched for bugs in the ground around our feet. Roosters called their disapproval at our disruptive presence. The fattest pigs we've ever seen were eating the rotten apples that people had left behind. Jokes were made about delicious apple bacon being the farmer's winter feast. The pigs were too busy eating to overhear their predicted perilous fate.
Even with the animal distraction we managed to pick two bushels of Stayman Winsaps from those trees. Tart yet sweet, and not at all grainy, just as we like them. Perfect for the pie and the butter and the sauce. Or for taking a big, juicy bite of, especially while it's still sun-hot and crisp.
We bought a gallon of fresh pressed cider on the way out and dispersed cups to hot kids waiting in a van that quickly got a pungent aromatic mix of sweat and earthy apples. We rode home in the noisy excitement that comes from spending a day on a farm. Energized by sun and dirt, animals and a little hard work. Stories told of orchard adventures and plans made for the apple goodness that's coming our way. It's one my absolute favorite ways to spend a day.
Must be a different orchard than last year, I don't remember pigs. :)
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