Here is the tree with leaves so green, here are the apples that hang between. When the wind blows, the apples fall, here is the basket to gather them all.

Actually we used two big plastic bags to gather all our apples that came in delicious reds, greens and yellows, and it wasn't the wind made the apples fall, it was Yangkyu and his apple picking stick, or what I like to call an oversized lacrosse stick. I heard Yangkyu say "sorry! sorry!" and I realized he was apologizing to the apples that fell. Heh. 

On Sunday we headed over to Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA, with a few acquaintances for some apple picking time. We're all still getting to know each other so I didn't stealthily move around to get candid photos of them and all of us together -- perhaps when we're a bit closer? I feel like I'm always doing an awkward dance with people I'm just getting to know because I'm afraid I'll do something they don't like {like taking pictures and posting them on the blog}. But it's a good dance - I don't think I ever felt this comfortable meeting new folks. They are also dog lovers so that's a huge plus too. 

But unfortunately the doggies didn't join us for this outing since they weren't allowed - although we did see some people bring their furry friends along. I made sure though that Piri knew we brought home his favorite fruit and shared some pieces with him yesterday. He can't have a lot of apples now and so maybe I was compensating for him. I ate so many since we brought these apples home with us that I may just turn into an apple. In fact, by the time you are reading this I may have grown a stem and a green leaf on top of my head. 

Each year I always say I'll make something - a pie or preserves - but that never pans out. But perhaps this time around I'll try a hand at baking some apple pie. Really. Hopefully. Maybe? 

 // 2013 apple picking at Homestead farm.