“Does anyone know what time it is?” the young man asked our group, as we made out way through the orchard at horses’ pace, slow and steady.
“It’s 3:27,” I replied, after glancing at my phone. Its screen was hot, and so were our cart seats, piercing blue sky above us, a flood of blistery hot sun everywhere.
The young man was sweaty, his back partially covered by a tank top, the elbows ruby red and shiny. He had an empty McDonald’s cup behind him, which begged to be replenished in the sweltering heat. At the front of the cart, the two horses were moving steadily, with no sense of urgency, their rich smell of manure trickling to us, and troubling the little children in the cart.
I stood up to capture my surroundings better.
We were at Garwood Orchards, on yet another memory-making adventure.
After sour cherries and blueberries, it was time for apples. ‘Tis the season 🙂
There were so many varieties to choose from, and such a glorious abundance.
We went up and down the perfectly lined up trees, marveling at the loaded branches and the ruby-red fruits. I relished each second of memory-making bliss, consciously allowing for the spellbinding warmth in my soul to linger on, promising in my mind to cherish it forever.
Our children were asking questions and were picking up fallen apples. They even tried to “glue” a few of them back to the branches! Their hats, one blue, one yellow, were perfect for the hot and sunny day, their beloved voices brimming with excitement at the joyful explorations and discoveries. We took some pics. We harvested some more. We helped the tiny hands collect the tallest apples from the tallest, hottest branches.
The best time ever…
On our way back to the orchard entrance, the excitement was palpable. The field was gloriously bountiful, a cornucopia of goodness, revealed at each and every stop by the passengers traveling in our cart. Some had harvested multicolored peppers, the children happily gazing at the baskets. Others had collected apples and were making loud plans to bake the most irresistible, perfumed delights. There was a third category, who had produce in their baskets, but were planning to come back for family favorites. You want Jazz apples? It’s a bit too early. Braeburn? Sorry, we don’t grow those. Golden Delicious? Still too tart. Next week’s a charm.
We drove back home and the next morning for my usual Sunday baking, I used part of the apples to make a crumble, following America’s Test Kitchen Julia Collin Davison’s recipe.
Perfumed with lemon zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg, covered in a cozy blanket of rose petal preserve, and complemented by a glass of thirst-quenching pear juice, this treat brought delicious moments of sunshine at my impromptu al fresco dessert table, making the seasonal coldness easier to bear.
You are welcome to check out my posts on sour cherry and blueberry picking here, here, here and here.
Do you have a favorite apple dessert? Let me know in the comments, and happy cooking and baking 🙂
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