Monday, July 28, 2014

Pickin’ Peaches—and Wallets


By: Annie Chamovitz

From: The Cumberland Creek Mystery Series
Author: Mollie Cox Bryan
Book 3 Title: Death of an Irish Diva

 Summer is here! During June and July, we're celebrating the Cozy Days of Summer by giving away a book every day. Today, you can win a copy of Death of an Irish Diva by Mollie Cox Bryan. Just leave a comment before midnight — with your email address so Mollie can reach you — to be entered in today's drawing! Also and EXTRA bonus, Mollie is giving away THREE copies of her next book, A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS on Goodreads. Click here to enter.

Summer has been great so far—well, after the pie competition incident (which you can read about in  SCRAPPY SUMMER).

One of the best things about living in Virginia is the produce in the summer. Fresh tomatoes from the garden.  Just picked corn on the cob. And so many kinds of berries and fruit. My favorite part of the season is now‑peaches are here and ohmigoodness I love peaches and all of the delicious things you can make from them, pies, cobblers, jams and my favorite—milkshakes. But for growing boys the best way is to eat them off the tree. Peaches are plenty sweet without the extra sugar

We live near a  pick-your-own peaches orchard. So one day the boys and I decided to pick some peaches. It was a beautiful morning when we set out. The sky was blue and it was not too hot, as Virginia’s summers can be. the drive away from the town of Cumberland Creek toward the mountains was spectacular. The view gave way to open fields and rolling hills.

The scent of peaches in a huge orchard grabs you immediately as you walk out into the orchard.

“The smell tickles my nose,” Sam said.

“I like it,” Ben said, as we strolled down a long row of low peach trees .

The boys and I filled up a few baskets of peaches and placed them into our wagon and then we pulled it to the check out line, where we were shocked to see how much our peaches cost. (And I had thought this would be cheaper than buying them at the local farmer’s market.) Evidently, you pay more for the peaches because you get to “experience” picking them. After I got over the hit to my wallet, I thought it quite ingenious. Imagine you own a peach orchard. Instead of hiring folks to pick peaches, or picking them yourself, you get peach-lovin’ people to pick them on their own—and make them pay for that “privilege.”

Well, my boys and I have a happy memory of the day. Of course I took photos and will be scrapbooking about the day. And I suppose those memories are worth whatever I paid for those peaches. That’s my story, anyway, and I’m sticking to it.

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43 comments:

  1. DelAnneJuly 28, 2014 at 5:24 AM

    Look to Dude Ranches for the beginnings of this. Tamara Myer's Pennsylvania Dutch B&B Mysteries did it as well, Pay more to do chores.

    DelAnne
    [email protected]

    Reply
  2. DianneBJuly 28, 2014 at 6:34 AM

    I've never gone to an orchard to pick peaches or apples but have picked strawberries. You have a feeling of accomplishment when you have picked them and then made them into jam or some sort of dessert. Looking forward to reading this series. [email protected]

    Reply
  3. cyn209July 28, 2014 at 6:34 AM

    a good series!!!!

    thank you for the giveaway!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    Reply
  4. DebbyJuly 28, 2014 at 6:53 AM

    I have picked cherries. The kids enjoy it but get very tired of cherries.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  5. Sue FJuly 28, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    I've picked a lot here in SC. It has always been cheaper. Now I'm old enough to realize I'd rather pay someone else to do the picking. I'll just can their efforts.

    Reply
    Replies
    1. Mollie Cox BryanJuly 28, 2014 at 2:09 PM

      Hahahaha! I hear ya!

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