Whirlwind Activity

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Life has been crazy this summer.  My oldest daughter (April) and her family moved to New Mexico and have finally found a house.  I’ve learned a whole new level of respect for her — she is awesome.  This grandma is also thrilled with her three grandsons, who happen to be handsome, intelligent, talented and fun.

My youngest daughter (Carol) continues to make me smile in countless ways.  A few weeks ago she treated me to a trip to the hair salon, so I’m now a pretty old lady.  When it was her turn to have her tresses pampered, I couldn’t resist taking this picture.

Hair2She has threatened me with a slow and painful death if I let anyone see this, but I couldn’t resist!

Later today I’ll be tramping through the area to get to the now-wild peach trees.  The luscious fruits are not as big as the Frankenfruit in stores, but wow — they are so juicy and the peachy taste almost seems artificially accented.  I love the fact these peaches have no sprays, no commercials enhancements and from heirloom trees.  Then the fun of canning… It’s a good thing I live alone.  By the time I’m done, I’ll be a sweaty, stinky mess, but I’ll be smiling!

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

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In my free time I’ve been scouring the countryside for fruit trees.  There are huge tracts of land that once held farms and orchards, but the residents are no longer there.  The trees, however, are still there and continue to produce!

Last week a friend called up to let me know about an abandoned apricot and cherry tree.  Wow.  After we both collected a five-gallon bucket of apricots we moved to the cherry tree.  Oh my goodness — this cherry tree had to be the biggest one I’ve ever seen.  And the cherries!!  I’ve gone back for more cherries twice and am hoping there are some left this weekend.

CherriesI think they are Rainier cherries, but I’m not sure.  One five-gallon bucket of cherries was sold at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday so I could have gas money.  The second one was used for making cherry syrup.  Oh yum.  If there are any left to pick this weekend I am not sure what to make with those, but I’m always open for suggestions.  Maybe I’ll make some jars of pie filling.  Hmm….