An Apple Hill Picnic Tea

      Not far from where I live is a place called Apple Hill. It is an agricultural area where apple trees grow by the thousands; framed by towering pine trees and a deep blue sky. Many other kinds of fruit trees grow in this area also. It is the perfect kind of place to take a picnic tea.

This is one of my favorite places.

I surprised my dear friend (and mentor) one day by packing up some tea cups and spreading out a blanket on this covered bridge. The sound of the creek flowing under us was like symphony music softly playing in the background as we talked. There is a waterwheel there as you can see. I don't have any pictures of our tea time...I didn't want to be rude and keep snapping away during our visit, but I did get one quick pic of my friend...

And the blueberry scones we ate.

 

This is a popular place for weddings.

"I will open rivers in high places..."

Isaiah 41:18

 

      Berries grow along the creek and fill the pies at the bakery across the street. In my opinion, this is where you can get the best sour cream blackberry pie in the world!

      I came here to take pictures on a day when Apple Hill was closed for the season. Yesterday it opened  again and I will be going to get some of that delicious pie this week. On the weekends there are so many people at these farms, you have to wait in line to buy anything. When the apple farms are closed in the summer, the cherry and berry farms are open.

      I picked this variety of raspberries, Marion berries, and blackberries at The American River Cherry Company - Mountain Orchards, and made this cobbler.

It went perfectly with a cup of Raspberry Zinger tea.

      I was disappointed I didn't bring my camera. It was one of the loveliest places. The farm house was gorgeous with porches adorned with lovely tables decorated with vases filled with roses and other flowers growing in the gardens. It could have rightfully been on the cover of a country elegance magazine! I was so nosey...I kept asking the woman who lived there questions about her gardens and home. She was one of those people who have a special creative touch and her home showed it. Next summer I'm going back...with my camera!

      The cherries I picked there were eaten before I could bake them into anything else!

"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control."

 ~ Galatians 5:22-23

      This next place is open year round and sells all kinds of things: produce, pies, jams, jellies, honey... 

And this ranch is one of the busiest and most popular during the season.

They have one of the prettiest views in the area.

      In the Pie House Restaurant, there is a great view out the windows. They sell an ice cream Sunday with hot apple cider sauce that is sooo good. Sorry the picture is dark, my camera didn't like the type of lighting, but it was really cute inside.

 

This is also a nice place for a picnic tea.

At a table overlooking the pond.

      Or on a blanket spread out on the lawn overlooking the Sierras (you can see them well on a clear day).

"But those who wait on the Lord

shall renew their strength."

Isaiah 40:31

      The drive around Apple Hill is beautiful and the trip is scattered with some very unique farms and wineries. The orchards and grapevines look like art painted in rows along the roadside.

 

Many of the farms have crafters selling their homemade wares outside...it is really quite festive.

Thank you for taking a trip around Apple Hill with me!

Have a wonderful day and tea time ~

Teacups and Roses

Today I am sharing a bouquet of roses with you.

Some on teacups, some in pictures.

These were growing in my mother's garden.

She has a yard full of roses.

There is something elegant about roses...something romantic, and special.

They have a lovely fragrance. Can you smell it?

I don't even mind that they have thorns.

They are there as reminders to handle them gently and carefully.

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns;

I am thankful that thorns have roses." ~ Alphonse Karr

 

On dark winter days when the roses are nothing more than bare sticks in the garden,

I have a bouquet of teacups in full bloom waiting for me in the china cabinet.

I hope you have time today to stop and smell the roses along the way.

And sit down for a little rest.

And have a cup of tea.

Blessings!

"Your soul shall be like a well watered garden."

 Jeremiah 31:12