So here's what's going on...

1. Someone please tell this one to stop growing up so fast. It hurts his mama's heart.

2. No Hawaii. I so bossily told everybody to go look it up, and now we have none. The grafts just didn't take. Disappointing. We also lost all the Kinnard's Choice we attempted to graft. It's kind of like frying a chicken...do you cut it up yourself or spend the little bit of extra money and buy the chicken already cut up? Do you buy the trees already whip-size, or do you save money and try to graft your own? We are now officially declaring that we will not be trying grafting again anytime soon...

3. New varieties being shipped to us 4- 4- 11 from Adams County Nursery in Pennsylvania:

Liberty

Goldrush

Grimes Golden

Hardy Cumberland

These will be a nice mix of reds and goldens, and will hopefully fill in the gaps in our growing season. They will also physically fill in the gaps in the orchard...where the Red Delicious were taken out. That spot has become the burn pile and it will be so nice to see something growing there again.

4. Talks are currently underway to expand our operation. We tenatively plan to plant out in Bells Bend an extensive Pick-Your-Own operation that includes our beloved apples, peaches and blackberries. We have met with the landowners and they are very excited about having us there. Our ideas are becoming real, offers of help are pouring in, encouragement is all around. Somebody pinch me.