She's apples.

Once upon an Autumn, 11 years ago, we visited this farm for the very first time and the Jonny's were ripe on the apple trees. We walked the rows of the orchard and gave Miss Indi, then a four month old baby, a suck of an apple. She loved it. She made all sorts of excited noises. And we knew we had to buy this place and become apple farmers.

In the beginning it was just apples.

We have 1000 trees and about 40 varieties.

Then, after a few years of drought, we added the chooks, some more fruit trees and the vegies.

We pride ourselves that we are a mixed family farm.

That we have lots of chickens in our basket.

But we still have an apple on our Daylesford Organics logo.

We are apple farmers at heart.

And I have to admit, that when apple picking time comes along I am happiest of all.

I love walking down the quiet rows of the fruiting orchards.

I love the feeling of the apples coming off neatly in my hand.

I love the sound and feeling of emptying the filled picking bags into the crates.

I love how the newly lightened branches seem to bounce back so high after we ease them of their load.

I love how the apple is a symbol of health and happiness.

And of course I love having bowls and baskets and crates of apples in the kitchen and in the cool room.

We've been munching our way through lots of apples over the weekend.

We've been enjoying pies and cakes and compote too.

Not long now until cider making day.

I am not even slightly a religious person, but for some reason I never forget to acknowledge and thank the apple trees for their delicious fruit after we have picked it. To think about the work they have done for us and for the birds, and then to watch them lose their leaves and fall asleep.

I remember having an apple in my school lunch every day of my childhood, I love that my kids will remember growing and picking theirs too.

Do you love apples?
Did you have an apple a day in your lunch?
Do you have a favourite variety? A favourite apple recipe?
Are you a red or a green apple eater?
Are you on trend with the cider drinking thing?

Happy autumn peeps.
xx