It was a warm Friday morning when my children and I, along with a very excited aunt and uncle, drove the winding, northern roads to Persimmon Hill Farm, a local orchard nestled in between valleys that surround Table Rock Lake. That June day most of the blueberries had already been picked due to an early season with the unusually hot spring. Fortunately, there were still ripe blackberries for us to pick. So, with our buckets ready and tied around us, our determined group ventured into the orchard and combed through the aisles for the best berries.
What I loved most about this experience was the tedious effort required of us in selecting blackberries good enough for our future preserves, syrups, and frozen smoothies. According to a fellow, friendly picker, blackberries must be completely
black and easily separated from the vine or their tartness will change
any recipe. Even the children took this task seriously, carefully inspecting every berry they found. Hours later, we had several pounds of blackberries that rivaled any supermarket produce in both price and quality.
Thinking about our time there, I believe all too often in the rush and rhythm of our busy world, we overlook so many details to get fast and easy results. We grab at whatever we can, instead of filling our lives with only the best things that come with time and cultivation. Yet in the orchard that summer day, just as we soaked in the bright sunshine, we also became completely absorbed in the moment - a lesson I hope to continue teaching my children throughout their precious lives.
Did I mention that Persimmon Hill Farm has the best "Thunder Muffins" ever? Freshly made, giant blueberry muffins covered in ice cream, topped with whipped cream and blueberry drizzle! It was a perfect treat to a perfect morning. (In the picture, we are watching through the window the workers make the muffins.)
Feel free to check out their website. They have great pictures and information about their farm and store:
http://www.persimmonhill.com/
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