Last year, about this time, my husband, my parents and I drove a few hours east to Door County for a quiet and relaxing long weekend. We rented a cottage on Lake Michigan, hiked, watched the sunset, went wine tasting and just generally had a great time. During one of our many drives through the beautiful countryside, we saw a simple handmade sign that said “PEARS. You Pick”. Of course, we immediately pulled off because the thought of picking our own pears was so charming. We soon met an elderly woman who owned a small hobby farm, complete with a herd of sheep, chickens, a sprawling vegetable garden, grape vines, and an orchard with apples and pears. She pointed to the garage out back, and directed my “young, strapping” husband to go fetch the ladder. Then she walked us up to her orchard, handed us an old ice cream pail, and pointed to the tree from which we should pick. Let’s just say the entire experience left us grinning from ear to ear. What great memories were made, and oh my, those pears tasted like heaven!
This week’s inspired palette captures the rich and brilliant colors of a sunny autumn day spent in the countryside.
