Sunday, September 12, 2010

Imperfectly Perfect!

It's beginning to look a lot like Autumn here in Pennsylvania....and with this wonderful season comes beautiful festivals, crisper days, and delicious seasonal fruit!!
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We attended an organic apple festival at the Rodale Institute this past weekend...the date has been marked on my calendar for a month now! I couldn't wait for organic apples! They were rightfully impossible to find in our area this time of year...until now....
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the chubby little hand of a very curious toddler....
With baby W in the ergo on my back, we ducked inside the trees, climbed some low branches, and picked what we could find. I overheard many people remark with a certain amount of disgust...
"These are shaped wrong!"
"Look at all the bumps!"
"They're all small and rotten!"
As a supermarket society, we have been led to believe that all fruits and vegetables are shiny, perfectly formed, free of imperfections, and large in size. But, taste an organically grown red raspberry...this small jewel will burst in your mouth with tartness and flavor...conventionally grown, they appear larger....but they clearly lack in richness of color and taste department! (indeed, I have been blind taste-tested by a nay-saying ex boyfriend of the past!!)
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Yes, the apples weren't perfect........they weren't bred for ship-ability and shelf life..some were half eaten by bugs...some rotted before they were picked......but they were grown in harmony with nature. And they tasted wonderful.
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The festival offered delicious Fall drinks....such as the maple creamie...2 scoops of organic vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, and fresh apple cider. YUM is an understatement....
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Local crafters set up tables inside an old barn...I gazed in awe at the beautiful handwork...
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Here's to the beauty of life...acceptance....simplicity...and all of the lovely imperfections!
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local Mennonite Children whom I very carefully photographed, as to not reveal their identities.
I was drawn to them all afternoon! They were so precious!

25 comments:

  1. It's all so wonderful... the autumn anticipation, the spotted apples, and your ability to see such beauty in the imperfections of life.

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  2. You're so right. The 'real' apples are imperfect just like 'real' life is imperfect. I remembered being surprised by all of the imperfections of organic fruit, but it was reassuring. I find the perfect fruit we see to be a little creepy actually.
    I love the photos; Fall is one of my favorite seasons! You are lucky to have organic pick-your-own apples. They are hard to find here; luckily they are in the stores!
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful time at the festival; the apples look delicious! Be well, Angela

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  3. though apples are imperfect but nothin can be better than eatin natural food and the whole process of climbin trees and picking own apples is very interestin...beautiful pics

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  4. Ah, I too love my fruit perfectly imperfect! It seems almost strange when were used to buying from shops but if you dont mind cutting little bit out it all tastes the same (or better when its been grown with love in a healthy environment) Your apple festive looks great!

    How wonderful that you found a spot to buy and trade pre-loved waldorf items. Thats fantastic that someone was kind enough to send you some books for just postage cost, the world is full of wonderful people:)

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  5. Oh your photos are Awesome! A local organic farmer here said he has to plant enough for the animals, insects, and us to share. Amazing how it all works in abundance. I just posted about our signs of Autumn here. http://janeandthelion.blogspot.com/2010/09/autumn-sneak-peak.html

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  6. What a fantastic thing to have near you. I love the idea of pick your own apples. We are fans of imperfect friut, and partial to a wonky cucumber and many a stubby forked carrot.
    My middle boy says its better if a bug has had a go at something first so you know its the tastiest one there! He trusts the judgement of bugs!

    We recently went to visit a beautiful community in an old farm complex who have offered us space in their gardens to set up our Steiner Kindergarten, and the whole area is banked with apple trees with the most delicious apples. I cant remember what they were called, but when you bite into them the skin is so pink that its colour bleeds into the greeny white flesh underneath. They were like little bits of sunsets!

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  7. that looks like a wonderful little festival, and beautiful photos...
    :) Christina

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  8. Although it is sad to leave the summer, I do so love Autumn. I can't wait to find some of these festivals here. Apple creamie sounds like the perfect treat!

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  9. Lovely to meet you, Thank you for visiting my craft blog today. My parents have a small dwarf orchard when I introduced my husband to organically grown apples he was disgusted by the "blemishes". I told him they were flavor spots and made him try them anyway. Now he agrees and also calls them Flavor Spots. Take care.

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  10. This is a magical posting. I love the apple picking, the wooden toys, and the dresses. I would have a hard time keeping my eyes off those adorable Mennonite children, too. Have a wonderful Autumn! love, Beth

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  11. I love those little wooden carvings. The pesticides that go on conventional apples are some of the worst out there, both for your own health, and the health of the environment. I'll sometimes skimp on other fruits and veggies and go with the conventional varieties, but never with apples. I'm so happy that apple season is here.

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  12. I love those pictures...They look so real..I know they are real but just looking at them looks like I am there too. Thank you for sharing.Enjoy Nature

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  13. Looks like you had such a beautiful day! And I love that last photo so much! :)

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  14. Beautiful!!
    Visited PA for the first time this past weekend. Stayed right on the Allhegeny River. So beautiful and peaceful.

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  15. What a perfect day! My son Oscar can't wait to go pick apples... the problem is that we live in Florida! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  16. Imperfections are so real, and real organic fruit is delicious! A wonderful post :-)

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  17. Oh wow! Wow, wow, wow! Your blog is so totally adorable! I've seen you around, this is my 1st time at your blog! How truely lovey you all are!!!! Such a sweet lookin' mama and such cute little babe!!!!

    I will be back 4 sure!!!

    ~Samantha

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  18. You really captured the essence of Autumn! Brought a big smile to my face, (Of Autumn, I'm a fan ;)
    xo maureen

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  19. bonnets, organic apples, pumpkins, wooden piggies, crisp writings of fall weather, god i love you..xxxxxx

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  20. What a fun day! I love fall - apples and pumpkins!

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  21. Oooh! What is a cider float?! That sounds wonderful!

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  22. Oh my you've got my brain turning...just like you said our socitey thinks that how big, and shiney, and nice something looks the better...who cares if it's actually genetically messed up and not really what it looks like you are eating or sprayed with toxic chemicals. I think right now, so much of this movement, of realness, is moving closer and closer to what is actually "real" and truthful, no matter what bumps and bruises exist on the outer appearance! Thanks for sharing.

    :)Lisa

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