It’s sort of a family tradition to go apple and pumpkin picking – typically during the weekends of October – but there was an unusual inclination to go to the orchards earlier this season. As usual, we ate too many apple cider donuts and drank too much cider. No matter, we’ll be back for those royal galas next month. Here we are desperate to feel normal on this side of the Atlantic now that we’re home in the same time zone.

Steven at the base of the North Field orchards, Blue Jay Orchards, Bethel, CT. Sunday, 23 Sept 07

Looking east toward the open fields of apple trees – many varieties – amid the North Field at Blue Jay Orchards. 23Sept07

Beyond the service house, there are the latest hay riders coming off the truck with their pumpkin choices, BJO. 23Sept07

Armed w/his canvas bag, Steven girds for the ready-set-pick-pumpkins at BJO.

Ah! This might be the one.

Or is it this one?

No. I change my mind. It’s this one. Yeah, there it is.

Time for the weigh scale. Let’s see what we have here.

Here are the first two plump pumpkins – extremely fragile and precious cargo – as they sit in the trunk. BJO 23Sept07