We met at a local orchard on a stunningly beautiful, albeit windy, evening at the beginning of sweater season. Autumn had not really started, yet summer felt like a hundred days had passed. Classic Radio Flyers rumbled over the uphill, rocky path toward the rows of trees; only excited kid voices could rise above the wagon clatter until we hit the tufted aisles.
The evening was nothing short of joy and chaos, my favorite kind. Coming from a house of five myself, their six person crew is like home to me. Their bodies scattered in all directions as we marched through trodden paths and knee-high grasses, grabbing rosy apples off bowing, benevolent trees. The wind met us at our back, our sides, our sun-kissed faces, offering itself as a friendly playmate.
Favorite humans right here!
Close your eyes and turn your face into the wind.
Feel it sweep along your skin in an invisible ocean of exultation.
Suddenly, you know you are alive.” – Vera Nazarian
As the sun started to dip, the wind picked up & became more like an annoying guest–more chill than fun now. And so, loaded with tired feet, full bellies and an elephantine haul of fruit, we made our long way back to the cars….grabbing a few more apples for the road. Notes on jokes and stories and music filled the space and time, and there was an unanimous declaration of love for the Jewish Apple Cake in their near future. I cannot emphasize enough what a treasure they are.
I couldn’t think of a better way to spend an evening than with this amazingly kind crew. You can see here how much they’ve all grown! We’ll be baking in their kitchen next time 🙂
xo, Jen
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