I originally posted this in October 2014. This is another of my three year anniversary posts. 🙂
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Autumn has always held a very distinct place in my memory. The aesthetics, the colors of fall, and that particular crispness in the air, are uniquely and wonderfully affixed to my internal memory wall. Therefore, focusing on the good and positive things of Autumn, what comes to mind is the annual picking of apples. The smells that are associated with fresh apples is beyond amazing! 🙂 Whether it’s from apples hanging on trees, rolling around under trees, or being carted off by tiny hands with big smiles, the aromas are far better than any fragrance modern society can offer. The memories, however, which flood in at this time of year when passing by any apple cart, are infinitely priceless.
From a young age I can remember climbing up apple trees, and tossing down the best looking apples to my siblings or my Dad. They, in turn, would put the apples into the classic wooden bushel baskets. Soon, I would be joined by other brothers or sisters, who wanted to pick the apples instead of catch them. Somehow we would end up with enough apples, laughs, scratches, and contented stomachs to last until the next Autumn.
From the orchard to the kitchen – my memories go from one to the other very quickly. Being in the kitchen during harvest season, with all of the canning, preserving, and baking, has to be some of the most comforting memories. I remember so many times, returning home and stepping inside, from cool or blustery weather outside. The wave of warmth that hit me upon opening the door, accompanied by the smell of fresh baked apple pie, was unlike anything else. Those sensations are not soon forgotten!! I suppose that is why apple cinnamon fragrance candles are so popular. Yet they do not yield the same experience as the real thing, at least not for me.
There is something so amazing about a fresh baked ‘goodie’ from the oven; the anticipation that mounts while the aromas smell more wonderful each passing second. A person’s self control is definitely tested; otherwise, the pie would never make it out of the oven in one piece. I could see our family members sneaking off with the aroma-laden-wonder, and making short work of destroying all evidence. (with apple-crumbed smiles of course) 🙂
I thank God for the memories!! They are all around me. When I walk down a path in an apple orchard, and see all of those wonderful apples, smelling the sweet aromas, and watching families create memories, I see my own Dad and all of us kids crowding around the trees. I hear the laughs, and see the smiling faces of kids, and I see a little piece of heaven. I see my Dad and hear him saying, “Hey, look over here, this tree is a good one”. 🙂 🙂
© 2014 Ann Moore
Grand Canyon: South Rim: Mather Point
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