When my husband came home from the hospital, the day was cool with the first touches of autumn in the air. We sat for a while in our little snuggery, listening to the crickets outside the window. We have these little rituals, these quiet little ways of marking time and events.
That night we had our first caramel apples of the season. Each year, like Christmas decorations, they show up earlier in the grocery stores. We don't mind. Since then, we've probably consumed a dozen. I like mine in small doses, with some nuts or a sliver of cheddar as a counterpoint.
I've made my first apple crisp, and we've purchased apple cider from the farm stand. The smaller growers who sell at the farm market have had a tough season, but the larger farmers - the big three families with German names - offer everything imaginable.
I shop at both venues. My CSA box has been skimpy this year - lots of potatoes and greens but little else. Still my husband and I talked it over and decided we'd continue with the program next year. Lovely Lucy, the grower who started our CSA and by force of will, created a small farm market where there was none, deserves our support. She is strictly organic, tending to the same small farm she grew up on. She is married to D., one of the boys from my childhood "hood." It feels good to support her efforts.
Lucy shared with me some plans for an open market structure. She would like to see it in the park along the water, but probably faces an uphill struggle since the city demanded a fee for using the park this year, as I noted in an earlier post. I'll do what I can to be supportive; the park was a visible spot while the parking lot being used this year is off the beaten path, and sales are down, say the vendors.
Meanwhile, don't you love the colors in this photo, taken in Cahors in 2008?
10 comments:
The apples are indeed beautiful, Mimi. I know I said it about your last post, but I'll say it again here, it's really good to have you back again!
So am I, Christine, and I have been intending to e-mail you.
All the apple goodness sounds yummy!
I have been enjoying the honey crisp apples we brought back from Michigan. I love the sight of orchards full of apples this time of year.
Welcome back, Mimi. We're especially enjoying fall this year. I'm glad your husband is doing well. Very sorry to hear about your mother.
I love apples any time of year, but especially now, Barb.
We are blessed to have easy access to both Michigan and Wisconsin apples, Penny.
Thanks, TerryB. My mother turns 87 tomorrow and my sister and I are taking her to dinner at an inn along the river. Can't wait!
Beautiful shot of the apples. So full of potential and ready to strike up many glorious friendships with caramel and cheddar cheese.
super duper like apples. . I think of apples as a very dependable fruit: they travel well; an apple can easily hop in my tote bag and wait until I need a little snack; they are very good and sweet. Yes, indeed, I love apples.
Great post, very useful for a beginner like me"
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Wonderful apple photo, Mimi - and so glad that you are back posting again. I do miss the autumn colors in the Midwest, as the Périgord trees turn late & lack the red-toned palette. Please correct my latest post title to read ...concentrated...(maybe I wasn't concentrating!) thanks.
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