if you need apples, pumpkins and an afternoon in the sun

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I know an orchard where the branches hang heavy, the ground is carpeted with gold and my friend’s the Neff’s will likely undercharge you for bushels of delicious apples. Tucked in a neighborhood in the heart of Salt Lake, their garden produces grapes, apples, pears, pumpkins, tomatoes, plums, apricots. Call them for their address and a time (801) 484-8468; they will treat you like family.

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You may have picked at orchards where the fruit is scarce or hard to reach; here, the branches hang low, apples tumble into your hands and onto the ground and no matter how many you pick, you’ll scarcely make a dent in the harvest.

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I should warn you– the fallen apples may tempt your children into an apple war, where boys run and yell and slip in too-ripe pears. Undoubtedly, everyone will eat an apple tasting of sunshine straight from the tree.

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Leaving my camera in the car, I was determined to make this a photo-free activity, but who can resist these cute faces?

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At home, Xander manned the apple peeler corer slicer while Gabe wielded the Samurai knife. For dinner we had whole wheat waffles with applesauce, apple juice and apple crumb pie.

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Gabe (same day– new haircut) could only glance up for a moment; he doesn’t want to chop off a finger.

The only drawback of the Neff’s is that they probably won’t charge you enough– you’ll try to slip money in the kids pockets and they’ll sneak pumpkins into your cart. We felt like bandits taking of with fifty pounds of apples and eight pumpkins, but this morning I found half our money returned in an envelope on my front porch with a note– “you paid too much.”


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Hmm, I don’t know your weekend plans, but we’ll be chopping, drying and saucing in between hikes in the leaves and lazy hours of reading. And sometime today or tomorrow, I need to creep over to the Neff’s to smuggle that envelope of cash onto their doorstep.
October 15, 2011
October 24, 2011

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11 Comments

  1. k. novella

    October 20, 2011

    delicious photographs michelle, in every sense of the word! what a beautiful and mesmerizing place.

  2. Hot Hot JJ

    October 20, 2011

    Michelle,
    WOW!! Oh my word. I too am a Utah native. I call Holliday home (you too, am I correct?!). Anyway, I CAN’T WAIT to discover this little secret in Salt Lake. Thank you very very much for posting their phone number. I think we’ll go this weekend.

    So dang excited!

    Neff’s Orchard makes me think of Neff’s Canyon, which is REALLY worth a hike this time of year.

    Thank you again!

    Jessica

  3. ellen

    October 20, 2011

    1st photo: great shirt!

    I love apple picking.

  4. Tracy

    October 20, 2011

    I know where to go next Fall. Also, I’ll take one pie please. Warmed and served with cinnamon ice cream. xo

  5. Sarah

    October 21, 2011

    So lovely – will be calling soon! Is this where you do your orchard shoots?

  6. Lisa

    October 21, 2011

    I wonder if the Neff’s would like me to be their neighbor…I think I’m moving in. What a beautiful place, with adorable subjects to photograph!

  7. Michelle

    October 21, 2011

    Yes, it’s the orchard where I take a LOT of photos. The Neffs are the nicest people.

  8. Rachelle

    October 21, 2011

    Beautiful!

  9. Cath

    October 22, 2011

    This post is so delightful. I’m glad you didn’t leave your camera at home. I’m thinking a family picture there would be so much fun! xoxo

  10. Music Notes

    October 25, 2011

    Hello, new to your blog. You have a lovely blog and family.

  11. Sapna

    October 12, 2013

    Your photo’s are amazing, seems like such a awesome day out. Wish we had a apple orchard here in the UK.

Comments are closed.