But today, it is a day I look forward to and anticipate the whole year through. It is the day our orchard bloomed.
Our farmhouse is on the edge of an apple orchard. The orchard was planted in the 1960's or 70's (I'm guessing) but it has been pretty much abandoned as far as commercial production for over 20 years. There are over 4000 trees - the only way I know this is that I was told how many were planted all those years ago. The trees are way too far gone to be productive but we still get apples galore. They seem to have reverted back to some kind of wild state because the trees bear every other year. The varieties aren't the greatest - but they are fresh and crisp and for goodness sake, they are right outside my door. The wildlife lives the whole winter on the drops and I feed my pigs and chickens all I can pick. The sheep graze under the trees all summer long giving them great shade. Every other year, we have plenty of apples for applesauce and pies. 
We long ago gave up hope of ever bringing the orchard back. But what we do enjoy is walking through it and looking at the trees. And today... oh, I wish I could send you the apple blossom perfume through your computer monitor. It is so sweet and gentle and subtle. And the color of the blossoms is the lightest, gentle pink shade - almost white and transluscent - just like the fragrance.
The orchard is a busy place - it is sensory overload for sure. The bees are buzzing and pollinating like crazy. It's just too beautiful for words. And so I will stop and let you look.
Yes, that's the moon up there between the blossoming branches. What an incredibly beautiful day.
18 comments:
What an uplifting post. Thank you for sharing your world with us. I can almost smell the blossoms.
(Will I see you at TNNA in June, perhaps? One can only hope.)
LynnH in Michigan
It's so romantic!
Wow! What a lovely place to have on your doorstep, I am very jealous.
What a wonderful site to see everyday. 4000! my goodness. Yup, my Mom said the same thing and now that I am one of the more mature gals at work I listen to the youngster complain and have to bite my tongue
I've always thought having an orchard, even an unproductive one, would be lovely.
Kristin,
I'm not sure how spring there is going, but here in the Smokies we are having the most glorious "greening up the mountains" we have had in years. With plenty of moisture available this year, EVERY plant that blooms seems determined to make up for the dry years we have been through recently. The dogwoods on the hillsides looked like mounds of snow, the black locust blooms look like huge grape-like clusters of pearls, the wild azalea are a blaze of orange...My husband and I have decided that this has to be the best bloom year ever for our apple orchard and our blueberries. If all goes well all our friends and neighbors will have the larder full for the upcoming winter. As always, I love your post... When I sit down to with my coffee to read, it always gets my day off to a better start.
My apple trees, too, are in full blossom down here in the valley below you. Mixed in among the younger trees are a handful of ancient matriarchs that are putting on the best blossom show that we've seen in six years. Must be that the conditions are just right!
Tom Clark of Clarkdale Orchards once told me that all apple trees, both wild and managed, tend to produce well every other year, so your local trees are not as untamed as you think! They're doing exactly as they are supposed to do. I suspect that fruit tree biology gives the trees a rest after a super-productive year...
I'd love to bring my girl up for a visit soon. I'm finishing up designing the Spring 2009 books this week, and after that I have some much-deserved FREEDOM coming to me.
Oh, and congrats on the book review in Interweave Knits.
I was lucky enough to be in Medford, Oregon, a few weeks ago when all the acres of pear blossoms were in bloom-- a lot of the pears that get sold nationwide are grown there in the Rogue River Valley. It was gorgeous, and a sight I won't easily forget.
How important these natural landmarks are-- I agree! Even here in the city, I see the spring in waves of the various flowering trees! The sarvis, the plums, the cherries, the redbuds, and then-- I hate to rush towards the end for the dogwoods, both pink and white, but they remind me of my mother.
Enjoy Kristin!
Lovely, lovely post; beautiful photos. As one of your other commenters said, I can practically smell the blossoms and hear the bees.
Everyone benefits because you and the Farmer let the trees stand even though you weren't "farming" them. How sweet is that? Generosity leads to a lucky life. Real applesauce included…yum!
jealous, jealous!!! you are so lucky and its good to know you are so very thankful too! your pictures are gorgeous. you are feeding my lust for a farm of my own!
Breathtaking! It makes me wish my computer had Smell-O-Vision. We're not quite to blossoms in MN, but any day now...
Enjoy!
You and I shared the same experience with the blossoms on the same day!! We don't have an orchard but just a few trees. I find your spread beautiful and joyful!! It's difficult to grasp the beauty in a photo!!
I am imagining the fragrance! (My door is open and the jasmine smell is wafting in on the breeze.) I'm dreaming of applesauce and pie!
Thank you for such loveliness!
Beautiful. I may be just a few years shy of 40, but your posts about life on the farm and in the country remind me of growing up in northern NH and VT. I so wish we had a place similar for my daughter to experience growing up on. I so loved it and yearn for it still. You are very lucky. I do appreciate the experiences we have had but there is something special about looking back at where you have come from. Beautiful post!
I think a blooming orchard is one of the most magical places on earth Kim. Thank you for sharing yours. I've enjoyed my visit very much.
What a beautiful and rewarding place :)
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