A
few years ago, our family established “Elderberry Fest,” an autumn celebration
of the unsung elderberry. This year Elderberry Fest occurred this last weekend
of September rather than in mid-October due to Hallie’s work schedule.
There
were pros and cons to this earlier date. We seem to be having an extended
summer this year and certainly not an early fall. In fact, back in town today I
picked eight tomatoes – the most I’ve had this year – and my yellow
crooked-neck squash is finally bearing. Somehow it just doesn’t feel like
pumpkins yet. But we did enjoy the beautiful weather during our long weekend on
the farm.
Elderberries
are a little sparse this year due to the dry, hot summer, but we found enough. Nick
had learned to stem the elderberries by simply beating the clusters rapidly against
the bucket. That improvement revolutionized the process, replacing hours of
sitting and raking through the clusters with a fork. Nick literally separated
the berries from the twigs as he picked. I will concede, though, that he was a
better at it than I.
From
twelve cups of elderberry juice, Nick and Hallie processed 20 half-pint jars of
jelly. This year Nick brought “Pomona Pectin” to replace the standard
Sure-Jell. From what I observed, it seemed easier to use and provided more
options. The Pomona leaflet reads: “Use our suggested recipes (feel free to
double and triple them) but don’t be afraid to experiment and develop your own
recipes.” Anyone who has read the Sure Jell leaflet knows that the directions
are filled with “do nots.” Deviating from the prescribed method may result in
failure, they say, though my dad did anyway if it suited his purposes, much to
my mother’s consternation.
Besides
elderberry jelly, Nick and Hallie have now expanded their interests to take in
a variety of fruits. I think we’re all asking, “What other old-time fruits and
berries are here? What can we do to further cultivate and encourage the fruit
of the land?” So, we decided to experiment with the Italian prunes which grow
wild in the ‘hood. We have a lovely stand of prune trees on Stove Creek, but we
decided to pick from a tree on the canyon edge. The prunes were sweet and
appeared to be falling, so I assumed they were ripe. However, in processing
them, we found that many did not readily yield their pits. Hallie declared that
this was already her least favorite fruit, but in the end they processed
several batches of excellent prune preserves.
Friday
afternoon we drove out to the rural village of Nezperce to take in events of
the Lewis County Fair. We checked out
the exhibits – flowers and produce from country gardens, aprons and quilts,
photography – well, you’ve probably been to a fair. We saw a neighbor’s name on
a number of exhibits and then we saw the neighbor. She said that she and one or
two others contribute quite a lot to the exhibits “or else there wouldn’t be a
fair.” We’re thinking about the possibility of participating next year. We also
watched as some of the 4-H kids showed their lambs.
Besides
jelly-making and the trip to the fair, we enjoyed other activities as well. I
pointed out that there were still some beautiful pears – perhaps the most
beautiful – clinging to the tree. Nick climbed into it and tossed them down to
Hallie. I tried to arrange cool storage for them – not sure I succeeded. We’ll
see if the fruit ripens. 
Saturday
morning Mike helped me pick apples from several country trees. I made sauce of
the wonderful little red apples from the tree nestled under a pine tree on the
lane. (If I were an artist, I would paint bright red apples nestled in pine
boughs.) 
Later that day, Nick and Hallie helped me pick more of these apples
and then pruned the dead limbs from the tree. Here are before and after pictures of that project.
Oh
– and Mike introduced Nick to shooting clay pigeons with a shotgun. Perhaps
Nick is a budding bird hunter.
Of
course, Elderberry Fest ended all too soon. We were sorry to say good-bye. It’s
always good to end on a positive note, but I will miss them as I continue to
work with the fruits of autumn. KW
4 comments:
For all those wondering, that's my yoga "triangle pose" in picture #1. I wrenched my back jumping for a pear. What can I say, we make fruit picking into an extreme sport.
I love all the pictures, especially those beautiful jars of jelly, the one of Nick in the tree, and the apples in the pines. I'm like you--if only we could paint!
And oh to be limber like Hallie! (I did try a similar pose, just to see if I could do it, and I was relieved to feel I wasn't far off!) Hope her back is feeling better!
The Warnocks are athletic but not limber. They are tight-muscled people. I, on the other hand, am not athletic but fairly limber, at least by contrast. It's amazing what you can do eventually if you stretch, though.
Another lovely fall day. I'm taking the opportunity to clean my oven while I can still air the house. (Besides, I boiled something over in it last week.)
Oh, but you are an artist...with your camera. The shot of the apple hiding inside the pine boughs is very nice. The color is wonderful and the camera angle just right with the sun kissing one of the apples.
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