Thursday, August 20, 2009

a bushel and a peck

The carnivore and I are trying hard to eat more locally grown products. To do this we not only planting herbs and tomatoes in our own yard, we are also hitting up the local farmers' markets. Occasionally, however, we are lucky enough to go straight to the source. Early this summer we had a chance to pick our own strawberries. It was a fun experience that helped us get more connected with our food. Not to mention we came away with the sweetest berries you can imagine. So, when we saw a notice in the local paper that we could pick our own peaches at a local orchard (Jones Orchard in Millington, TN) we hopped at the chance.The orchard was just a short drive outside of the city. And while we had no idea where we were going it was pretty easy to spot once we found this sign -With directions from a helpful young man we headed a bit further down the dirt road and ended up in the orchard. Well, the first part of the orchard. This part had white peaches.
A bit further down the road we also found red and yellow peaches. The trees were heavy with fruit. Picking was pretty easy (just a bit hot - but that is Memphis this time of year).
So, we got our bushel bucket and picked a few of each variety. We by no means filled it up, but we got plenty for the two of us (and they only cost a bit more than four bucks).
It was great to have the carnivore around to reach the little gems that were hiding up high.I was able to pick a few of the low lying beauties myself even if I am vertically challenged. (FYI - if two short people do go, they have a handy gettin' stick to help you shake the fruit from the trees).On our way out, we stopped by the farm's roadside stand where, of course they had pre-picked peaches, but they had so many other offerings.All in all it was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. We came home with lots of local goodies. And, the peaches were amazing. I loved getting to try the different varieties. I used many in fresh juice drinks and we grilled a few, but they would have been divine in a pie or a cake, if we hadn't just had both recently...not that the carnivore would have minded!

5 comments:

  1. you don't know me, but i just nominated you for an award. i'm not a weirdo, i promise.
    http://www.wanlifetolive.com/2009/08/little-housecleaning.html

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  2. thanks so much! i am so glad you like the blog. i hope it helps your mixed diet family.

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  3. Okay, so I'm checking out the blog and you are cracking me up with your Guys & Dolls reference. Love the food pics, and your anecdotes are the right mix of quirky funny and helpfully informational. - Cheers, Heather

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  4. What a wonderful trip you had! Thanks for sharing those sunny pictures of summer produce - just what I needed to brighten up our dreary fall weather here in Seattle.
    xo, Sustainble Eats

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  5. I'm moving to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches.

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