The Orchard - an ending of an era

 Tom's Mother Troy was quite a lady, her plan for retirement included 5 acres of pit fruit that included many varieties of plums, apricots, peaches, nectarines, cherries. The orchard also has pomegranates, figs, a huge mulberry tree, and persimmons. After Troy died about 4 years ago the house and orchard went up for sale. She was an amazing gardener, the front yard did not have grass, but a yard full of beautiful flowers of all kinds, some wild - many not. But always many varieties of sunflowers in the summer. Troy's place has been sold now, but a very nice renter who has been there has allowed us to come in and pick fruit and remain a part of the orchard. Maria (the renter - and now friend) will be moving in a few days. We went and picked fruit yesterday morning for the last time. A very bittersweet day for Tom and I. Sweet from all the beautiful fruit which grows in spite of the poor care it has gotten this year. Not sweet from knowing we will not be back.

 

A She oak tree (on the left), a tree that makes such a sweet sound when the wind blows.

 

Some of the trumpet vines that still grow in the back yard.

A box full of plum that await canning when we arrive back home.

Canned 18 pints and 1/2 pints of plum jam yesterday, today will do as many. Fruit leather is drying in the oven. Will enter in the fair this year.

Jam and stuff

Enjoyed a potluck at church Friday night, low key - enjoyed visiting with some of the newer families

 Picked fruit at the orchard in Planada, we do not own it anymore - but hopefully will be able to pick through the summer. Apricots are really good this year, also got some white nectarines and helped a friend learn how to can some jam, then proceeded to go home and make 2 double batches (21 pints total for the day...very good year, looking forward to entering it in the fair this year.

Enjoyed the view from the porch, going to be a dry summer (sure hope not a bad fire year). The tempratures has not been that hot yet - hope it can be a mild summer.

This morning got up early and made 5 loaves of sourdough bread (I was good and did not eat any) sent it all up to the park with Tom. He has had employees who want to buy it! (even cooks) 

Finished processing the rest of the fruit and made some fruit leather. Hate to work on Sundays so much at home, but the fruit would be rotten if I wait another day. Attended church, got to hear some beautiful testimonies, taught in Relief Society. I sure wish I could be home more that the weekends, but very thankful for a job. Very thankful to be living in Mariposa where people are who they are and money or things are not the most important things.