It’s right outside our bedroom window but for the first two years we lived in our house I had no idea it was there.
Like Isaac Newton, I practically had to be hit on the head to discover there were apples in one of our trees. Not just apples; hundreds of them, many already dropping to the ground.
I would have probably noticed sooner if I spent any time gardening. I’m hopeless; even my friendship with Myra Goodman of Earthbound Farm hasn’t rubbed off on me. The fastest way to kiss off any growing thing, other than children, is to put it in my care. By now I’ve accepted this deficit of nature. But an apple tree is just my speed, all I had to do is pick them.
So I did. That year I ate way more than an apple a day, gave bags to everyone who came in the house, made apple sauce, and I was even inspired to make the first homemade apple pie of my life. Actually I made nine of them, but who’s counting?
Last year we didn’t have such a bumper crop but I still found inspiration in the apples. This time my project wasn’t edible; instead I did something I do as rarely as making a pie…..
This year maybe due to weird weather, the apples showed up later than usual; and they’re out there again, ready to be picked. Only I’m waiting, looking for a new way to appl-y the inspiration. Suggestions accepted—especially if you have a way to combine apples with chocolate.
Great painting Darryle!
It’s funny how one thing leads to another…I always loved the children’s book “If you gave a moose a muffin…” And that is the natural order for artists, always responding.
That is what I think an artist does…the world gives you a kiss and you kiss it right back!
What a beautiful way to describe what an artist does…and always interesting to see where they find inspiration. Until a few years ago I could never imagine finding inspiration in a tree, much less painting it. So maybe your words “apply” to everyone with an open mind—you never know what the world will give you and how you will give it back. Thanks so much Gayle.
Good morning Darryle,
I took today’s post as a gentle encouragement to pick the apples from our tree before the birds and worms get them ( only fell off the ladder once ). Since I know your routine is to go on line before getting your coffee, I am letting you know that you have a big bucket of apples waiting for you in the kitchen. I also noted that we have 2 jars of Mrs. Richardson’s Fudge in the fridge ( not mine, by the way, in case any one else is reading this comment ). So, in addition to doing some pies, you have the fixings for some apple/chocolate experimentation.
Love
You just have to love a guy who not only reads his wife’s blog, but takes direction from it and picks the apples, suggesting ways to add the chocolate. You are blessed, Darryle.
What a wonderful surprise to wake up to! The apple I ate from the barrel before breakfast is spectacular. Love everything about your comment —except the mention of the two jars of fudge. If Daniel reads your comment, I’m busted.
I love it–sweet of him; and sweet of you, too. Thanks so much, Marla.
Aside from my husband, I’ve gotten some other suggestions on the chocolate/apple combo. Here’s one from David in Connecticut:
Simply pare the apple skin from the apple; cut slices of apple (about 8 slices per apple); melt chocolate in a sauce pan; dip the pared apple slices into the sauce pan (about 1/2 way up the slice); place in the refrigerator until hardened. Eat them and enjoy.
Jennifer suggests dipping in chocolate fondue–believe me I plan to put that fudge to good use!