Fall's version of the Big Apple.
I’ve been banking quite heavily lately on the apple-a-day-keeps-the-doctor away philosophy; which is probably why I felt compelled several weeks ago to pick a bushel of apples at a local orchard. You know the saying: a bird/apple in the hand is worth two in the bushel. Whatever!
It was one of those beautiful crisp fall days flaunting so much color and charisma (not to mention a plethora of produce) that a good time outdoors proved easy pickings.
It was one of those beautiful crisp fall days flaunting so much color and charisma (not to mention a plethora of produce) that a good time outdoors proved easy pickings.
We flaunted some color of our own via Diane and Alan's wheels, a 1931 Model A Ford. It goes without saying (but I’m going to say it anyway), life is all about the journey, especially with good friends who like to travel in style.
Diane and I are always ready to rumble.
We journeyed to a cute little family-owned apple orchard an hour away called Apples on Oak. I guess most orchards in the Chicago area are family owned, but this orchard literally sat in the middle of the Peceniak’s back yard in Lockport, Illinois.
Home was as American as apple pie; of course.
Apparently what started out as a hobby eventually “went wild,” to quote Larry Peceniak. It was obvious there was nothing more satisfying than sharing the bounty of a lifetime of fulfilling work.
Growing apples for the Peceniaks goes back 3 generations.
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The Peceniaks have a license for cuteness.
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When Mary wasn't growing apples, she was quilting.
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Mary's quilt was all about apples, of course!
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Thirty-seven years into his hobby and 4 acres later, Larry and wife Mary, and the next generation or two, are tending to 700 trees sporting 90 to 100 varieties of apples (and a handful of pear trees). The place was a virtual Garden of Eden;
Couldn't resist the urge to do a little still life painting with these apples.
Milton’s Paradise Lost was found.
Who said this would be easy pickings?
We did get a bit lost finding our way to Larry’s Apples on Oak Orchard, but that’s another story (and map) altogether. I promise to stick to today’s story/map.
How cute is that map?
No forbidden fruit in Larry’s garden; signs even encouraged sampling while picking,
FREE is good; I can do FREE!
although despite appearances, we dutifully kept said sampling to a minimum as per request.
Open wide is easy for me.
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Caught red-handed, huh Diane?
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Contrary to scripture, it was the guys doing most of the picking,
Did I mention Jimmy is the apple of my eye?
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Alan has always been a high achiever.
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although truth be told, I’m as big a sinner as the next.
It was just too tempting when it came to all those apples.
Diane mostly wandered, keeping us on track with the trusty map courtesy of Apples on Oak. She's very organized. You should see her house. It’s always spotless!
I'm not sure we could see the forest for the trees.
The guys went to great heights to procure our bushels of apples.
Apparently the sky's the limit.
Needless to say, our afternoon was one of those American-as-apple-pie kind of fall days, long on colorful fun and fond memories.
I'm holding on to this glorious moment all winter long.
Our mantra of late, "How do you like them apples!” seems to cover it all.
Here's to good health, good friends and good times!
What’s not to like when it comes to apple pie, apple dumplings, apple crisp, apple cobbler, apple butter, apple cider, apple fritters, apple turnovers, baked apples, caramel apples, applesauce, . . . .
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