Apple Orchard Time
Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 09:12PM 
It's been a busy weekend in Maine...bringing in all the outside furniture, washing all the sheets and blankets and packing them up for the winter. Cleaning and sorting. Getting the fire bin full of wood for those long winter days of reading and snuggling. It is a lot of work but as I do it, I remember all the family that shared in those bed sheets and towels. All the fun we had in the sandbox with the trucks and little boys..the story telling, snuggles, book reading and naps that took place on our hammock. The boat rides and afternoon lunches as we drifted across the lake. So many summer memories, some the same each year, and then as we all grow, new memories are made...this summer was especially good with the boys being here often with their Mom and their Dad.. now all is quiet with most of the summer people gone. We will gather wood for our fireplace for winter reading and sipping hot tea and Maker Mark. Playing indoor games and cooking. We are never closed for business here at the Maine house but we do say goodbye to summer...
It's not all sad though..because fall does it's own ballet of beauty here in our little piece of Maine. Like summer, I don't want to miss out on the changing colors of leaves, apple picking, smelling the wood fires burning and collecting my acorns..only the ones with the hats. Today I watched a chipmunk gathering his acorns also..he seemed to be able to do it much quicker than me. The air was crisp, the sun was shinning and so I felt I deserved a bit of time by myself and I took me and my Canon Girls for a ride...we loaded up the truck with our gear and a drink and we headed to the apple orchard. Along the country roads though, I found so much more than apples...but for today, I'll share my time at the orchard.
To me there is nothing more relaxing than to be on my own, in either the car or the truck...in Maine, it is always the truck. I turn the radio up loud, tune in to my Xm Radio station and I rock out. I love singing and making hand movements, tapping the steering wheel...I'm like a one woman band inside that steel machine. So off I went down Rte11 and finally I got to the apple orchard. Nothing is really close in Maine but that's the beauty of a fall ride, don't you think. Ride a little, stop a little, smile a lot. So here are a few lovely red's I got today and yes, I did eat a few on my way home. In my mind though, I was smelling apple crisp.
So each seasons brings it challenges and it's work. In the scheme of things though, we can't let the good times get by us. We have to make that effort every once in awhile to stop and enjoy and smell the apples. Before we know it these sweet days of Autumn will fall off, just as our summer days has done. At the end of the day though, I want to be able to write about this season and what it brings to my life. I hope you savor every moment of color, sunshine, crisp air, warm bulky sweater, tall boots and great kitchen smells of yes, apple crisp baking. Don't forget the vanilla ice cream...Cheers to Autumn and Cider donuts, warm sweaters and scarfs, little boys running through leaves, the moon rising and the love of life flowing...Life's a witch and then you fly...enjoy it while you can...
Reader Comments (10)
Your photos so vividly capture the season in all its glory but the image your words paint of you in the truck rocking it out as you travel down the road is just as vivid!!!! You are such an exuberant soul. I love that! I'm glad you are never closed for business. :D
What a wonderful bedtime story, Cheryl!
I could taste and smell the heavenly autumn aromas, including the apple trees and cider!
Just last night we were with friends for a farewell dinner, as they return to Florida this time of year,
October is my FAVORITE season of the entire year, so I had to bite my cheek in not making any comments about leaving
glorious New England this month! Layering outfits and snuggling beside a toasty fire are two of my favorite activities.
I LOVE how you captured the "feel" for all things "fall" . . . your images are gorgeous . . . I especially LOVE the tree in the orchard!
Whoever predicted an abundance of apples was "spot on" . . .
ENJOY the memories and, of course, our beloved Maine!
Here's to ALL THINGS APPLE!
How about a Waldorf salad for lunch tomorrow? xox
Oh gosh, I wish I could have been in the passenger seat, windows rolled down, radio turned up, and listening to you rock away, as we rolled along the country road to the orchard! What a picture! Your orchard is beautiful! I love the warm colors and the red apples on the ground. Well I too agree with Sherry about you being and exuberant soul! Cheers to you, and to Autumn!! Stunning photos, and I can't wait for the next post and more photos! Apple Crisp and vanilla ice cream....
Oh my gosh just home from Maine and I want to go back!
Autumn does bring some wonderful presents during it's visit. You are so right, we need to enjoy it while it is here. Sounds like you have all the autumn chores finished and are ready for winter. Your apple pictures are beautiful, my favorite is the one that is slightly desaturated, love the colors. I can't believe how many apples are under the one tree in the image above my favorite! You sound like me singing in the car with the window down and the radio up, hands tapping. My daughter tells me to put both hands on the wheel and pay attention to the road. She is 14 and loves it when she can correct my behavior. :) I am dreading when she starts driving...
Oh, you've captured one of my most favorite things about fall - APPLES! I love going to apple orchards and this year I didn't get there so I'm enjoying all these fantastic images so much. Gorgeous rich colors and bokeh. Very nice, Cheryl.
One of the many things I love about fall! I must say, I'm very jealous of your Maine house, that would be a dream come true for me...but I will live vicariously through you and your gorgeous images! I now have this image in my head of you rockin it out in your truck...love it!
Thanks Susan for your lovely comment here. We do love the Maine house. It's very small but perfect for our small family...I think I love it best for the quiet and the roaming of back roads...you can come and visit next time your in Maine...the door is always open...and the chairs on the deck are always rocking.
Oh thank you, friend! I would love to come rock with you! xo
You know what they say, an apple a day...... :)......My donkeys, Minnie and Cowboy would love to hang out here. They're the only ones to eat apples besides me. Now if you grew carrots, we'd all be there. LOL You always make us feel welcome with your stories and images. I used to pick apples as a kid, lots of work climbing up and down in those trees. Thanks for the flashback memory. Glad I stopped here this morning with my coffee. Just getting over the flu/cold. Happy Autumn, wishing you many adventures ahead. Cheryl.