Our Bumper Crop

When we built our home ten years ago we knew our back yard would be a wooded area but we didn't know that 2 different wild apple trees were growing right at the fence line. In fact one of them, the russet apple, has never produced fruit. Until this year.

In May I woke one morning to this glorious sight.

It was breathtaking. I've never seen such delicate pure white blooms cascading from this humble, misshapen tree. I knew it was going to be a splendid year.
And it was.

The small reddish green apples ripened month by month and in mid August, right before our holidays, they were ready to be picked. My husband climbed up and reached as many as he could. Baskets and baskets full. 8 hours later, I had filled 50 jars of applesauce.

It's the most delicious apple sauce I've ever held in my mouth. With just a sprinkling of cinnamon, the natural slightly tartness of those wild apples is beyond wonderful.

I feel so humbled to have this bounty gifted to us this year. So very, very grateful.

The remaining apples- even brighter and higher than we'll ever climb- are reminders to never give up on old apple trees- or old anything.

The best may be still to come.