september

is here...
and what a wonderful month it is!
apples and pumpkins and sweaters and crisp air and pencils and birthdays ( well, mine at least;))...it just does not get any better than this.

we went apple picking today, alex and i.
we never actually managed to pick any but we had a lovely time NOT picking them.
we chatted with friends, chased chickens, played in piles of gravel and ate one apple off the ground.

i kind of figured they would sell apples in the store, so i was not so heartbroken about not actually "picking" apples.

see, a childhood spent picking apples every fall from our own orchard soured me on the novelty of the "U-Pick".
no, YOU pick, i buy.
i know, terrible attitude.
but really? pick as many apples as i have in my lifetime and then get back to me.

i loved growing up with an apple orchard as my personal eden...branches to read amongst, snack within reach...
but the harvesting?
that is tough work. seriously tough work.
i remember the excitement of becoming old enough to be allowed to pick from th top of the tree, using a ladder and basket, as opposed to being relegated to the windfalls.
that was huge for me:).

still is apparently...
i am conflicted in the best way.

there is nothing as heady as the smell of freshly picked apples.
( aside from apple blossoms in the spring, of course )
and now my kitchen feels just right with a huge bowl of "paulas" and the soft scent of fall wafting about.

welcome back september, i am ready. with apple in hand.



(thanks to the kids in the capital gang for organizing today at cannamore orchard - terrific place! we will be back for pumpkins!)