apples & inspiration

Saturday we celebrated what Andrew & John Poet called "Cider Saturday", which we hope will be come an annual tradition in our family as long as we are in this place. First let me say that for several years now my sisters in Minnesota & my father who visits them have sent me pictures of them picking apples from orchards with my adorable nephew & niece, rosy cheeked & laughing & smiling & wearing adorable hats & I feel desire well up in me to be a part of it. This year Andrew & I were a part of the apple harvesting, a thousand miles away from Minnesota. There's this family at our church, the Poets. (Isn't that name wonderful!) They've opened their arms to the two of us, far from our families, and adopted us into theirs, celebrating birthdays & holidays & now, apple harvesting. Saturday we picked apples from the twelve trees on their farm & made apple cider, apple pie filling, and applesauce, all day long.

Our friend Rachel, who came to help with the apples.

Our friend Chris, who also came to help with the apples.

Us, in the orchard.

Rachel, Jordan Poet, and Chris.

The cider press at work.

John Poet working the cider press & little John.

Cider in a glass. Over 60 gallons were produced!

On another note, lately I've been feeling inspired to create, to read, to extend hospitality, to life (if life were a verb, different than live). I think the wholesomeness of harvesting apples & not letting any go to waste, working & producing good things to eat helps me be inspired.

Andrew said that he wishes he could have chores like those the Poets have, everyday. Feeding the pigs, splitting wood, bringing in the firewood, etc. Something about country life inspires...and maybe it has something to do with being around those Poets. :)