Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Contentment


"If you want to be happy, be." Henry David Thoreau

Don't you find that contentment comes easier when you are outside, in nature, where you can simply "be" instead of thinking about what's to do next?

This past weekend, we decided to go apple picking. I checked the website of our local organic farm and found that their apples had come to fruition early. They also had half of their usual annual crop. So, we arrived at a time when the pickings were slim.



The beauty of it is, the kids had just as much fun as usual, probably more, looking for those last elusive apples.


They laughed while they took turns pulling each other in the wagon. The younger would point out apples, and the older would try his best to reach them. They were a team, and they were thrilled about it. That doesn't happen in front of the TV screen.


We found a few large apples.


And many small ones.




All together, the four of us managed to find 19 pounds of decent apples. It was more than I actually wanted, but the kids were so proud of their finds, I just couldn't stop them. I don't think there was a good apple left when we were done.

Now, I just have to decide what to do with them. Maybe a decadent apple fritter cake with walnuts, or I might finally try to make an apple pie. 


On the way home, we visited a little beach near the apple orchard, just because it is so pretty, and I have inherited a bit of my dad's gene for sightseeing.



It was windy and cold and the visit didn't last long.

Whatever the weather, I was content to be outside, watching the kids laughing, running and just getting along.

19 comments:

  1. The pictures look so fun! I've never gone fruit picking but I always imagine it to be enjoyable :)

    xo,
    janmloves.blogspot.com

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  2. Looks like so much fun! Really great pictures of your kiddos, and you look like a page from a magazine with your cute boots and windswept hair :)

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    1. You are sweet, Ruthie! I came across those boots one day - my size (11) is hard to come by - and I snapped them up!

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  3. Great pictures! Last year I went to the orchard towards the end of October. We found 4 apples :)

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  4. Oh! Apple Pie! Apple Pie! Totally throwing in my vote for the pie! Gorgeous pics-- I agree with Ruthie, it is a total magazine spread-- fantastic fun & wonderful photography!!

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    1. I will try the pie! And thanks for the very kind compliments, Tabetha.

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  5. wonderful photos, looks like so much fun :) I like to grate or chop apples from my tree and put 'em into my cinnamon-raisin bread pudding.

    I really do love the ability to just, "be", tea in hand, with no worries in the world. There's a whopping 24 hours in a day, why not give 10..30..60 minutes to yourself? I've been cutting myself a much deserved break. And there's always tomorrow :)

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    1. Thanks Caitlin! I like your idea for putting the apples in a bread pudding. I too have been taking some time for me lately, and I quite enjoy it. You're right, the tasks will wait! :)

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  6. 19 pounds?! That is fantastic! I am posting a fantastic apple pie (with crumble topping) this Thursday if you're interested! Also, love your photos of apple-picking. Nothing beats a family day at the orchard!

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    1. Yum...crumble topping! I will definitely check it out!

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  7. Fantastic and fun pictures! Such a cozy fall feeling to them. Too bad about our Ontario apples having been almost all ruined by that late frost in the spring :( Nice that you were able to get some though! How I love a nice local apple. xo

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    1. Yes, we were lucky to get any apples. Two years ago, the whole crop was ruined. The local apples are so much crisper and tastier, huh?

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  8. Apple picking is so much fun. Apple pie is so easy to make too. I am that you and your family had a great time.

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  9. We've been apple picking too!! I've made chutney - yum!! Apparently it's an awful year for apples so hence the slim pickings. I love those trolleys though! J9

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