Frost

Harvest

This year, I did something I've never done before. I knocked on neighbors doors and asked to harvest their extra apples, pear, persimmon and walnut trees.

I can not even describe the joy and fulfillment I had gathering fruit. Surely our souls long for Eden and recognizes when we return back to our original assignment.

Strangely, gathering the walnuts was the most satisfying to the soul. I'd go early in the morning and standing amidst the rising mist, I'd gather the husks, listening to the leaves crackling under my feet. The slant of sunlight through branches, that wonderful, peculiar smell that rises from the black walnuts hulls--it was all a taste of heaven.

The pears were the easiest. I don't think I spent more than a half-hour total gathering the fruit. But alas, they rotted very quickly. I never found a good use for them, except eating them while they were fresh. They had the crispness of an apple, but with the taste of the pear.

The apples were an answer to prayer. Every day I asked God to open my eyes to apple trees, but all the way up until the night before the hard frost, I did not see any. Then, the previous evening I finally found some. And they not only graciously let me pick their apples, but supplied a picker and called another family member who had about 2 trees needing harvesting still. I had one day, and you can see what I gathered. I've made some awesome apple butter. (In fact, I must continue that tomorrow.)

The persimmons are a delight onto themselves. The color of apricot and the taste of candy, they pack a powerful punch. I've pulped about 15 to 20 bags worth. At our Thanksgiving table I made a 130 year old persimmon pudding that was a huge hit. I also learned some great apple pie recipes--one of which is in this picture.