Friday, September 17, 2010

Peach Perfection



We are blessed to live near the most dreamy peach orchards in this great big beautiful world! Palisade, Colorado boasts fuzzy peach goodness that is to-die-for. You can smell the sweet aroma of the peaches as you walk up to the orchards. You can read here about our Peachy Paradise day at a different orchard last year.


This year, we visited a pristine operation, High Country Orchards. We even received a witty and captivating tour by the owner's son. This also happens to be the orchard that the President's family toured while enjoying some dripping sweet peaches last summer.


Rows and rows of American Bounty
During the tour, we were able to see an inside look at an entirely precise and selective process this orchard uses when boxing their prized peaches.


"Smile because Momma thinks you're SO adorable"

You know I have to add family photos

to keep this blog "Grandparent approved"
The boys loved having their Great Grandma and Great Grandpa along because it just made everything feel much more festive!

The boys with their Great Grandma

A charming little space where we all sampled perfect peaches

Nothing beats the simple taste of whole foods.
Sometimes it just takes one step through a doorway to change life's tone from the overstimulated rush to a lazy country moment.


Vintage fruit crates lined their ceiling.
I SO wish I could have a couple to take for treasures of my own!

Take your pick, because everybody likes a chance to CHOOSE...

Taking it Home:
from the orchards to the table


My Grandma treated our family to a box of peaches. Most of the peaches went into lunchboxes, but the rest I made into some peachy paradise treats.


Grilled Peaches with soft swiss and basil in honey

Easily half your peaches and cook on grill for 3-5 minutes.

Plate and serve!


Next...

Vanilla Crepes with Caramelized Cinnamon Peaches
in a Brandy Reduction





A super quick idea is to wrap up fresh locally grown fruit and give as gifts as a fun surprise to make someone's day!

Peaches wrapped in white paper bags
and tied with twine
make the best gifts

And to JUST keep it simple, load your kitchen with locally grown fresh fruit. Make it easily accessible so it can entice everyone to grab and go.

Plums and peaches
ready for little hands to fill their pockets
and run outside barefoot eating fruit!

This post is linked to: Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, It's So Very Creative, Tip Me Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Spotlight Yourself, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin It, Fabulous Finds Friday,Funky Junk Interiors, Fabulous Friday Finds, Tickled Pink, Inspired By, Weekend Wrap Up


30 comments:

The Tuscan Home said...

Ok, I have died and gone to peach heaven! Your post and pictures are divine! Thank you for sharing! I am off to the store to get some yummy peaches for this weekend....YUM!!! XOXO ~Liz

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Visiting a peach orchard sounds so wonderful! We love peaches but eat them up before I can ever manage to use any of them in recipes. I have been wanting to try them on the grill for a while now. Your photos look yummy!! :)

caveman said...

Good posts are fun to look at. Great posts spur people into action. This was a good post until I got to the food; Then you spurred me into starvation! I'm tempted to buy a box of peaches just so I can have more crepes! Both of those peach dishes rate in the top 10 things I've ever eaten category. Being married to a world class cook is one of my greatest blessings :-)

Jenny said...

Lisa! What a delicious post...on so many levels!

If that is your Great Grandma I need you to donate some genes to me!

Lovely family...lovely post. I could almost smell the peaches.

Leanne said...

Mmmm, all of the sudden I want some peaches. You photos are beautiful and those are some cute boys. I miss my peach trees. They broke in a wind storm last year. So sad! Have a beautiful weekend. I'm going to the farmers market tomorrow to get some peaches.

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

How sweet! I'm in apple country over here in PA. We love to visit the orchards and bake up apple pies, baked apples (made them last night!), apple dumplings, apple fritters, etc...

Love peaches! Especially peach ice cream!

Judy@cutest-little-thinsg

Jane said...

Oh how I miss fresh peaches from the orchards in TX and the apple orchards in PA. Here, in FL, we have orange groves. But most of the classic orange markets have closed...We have to rely on farmer's markets and the grocery stores to get our fruit. But...we have the beach!!!

Your recipes sound divine! I think we'll have the peach crepes this weekend (Chris recommends them!)
Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipes...and the photos.
Smiles,
Jane (artfully graced)

ps Thank you for your kind words today. I love reading about your family and adventures, too.

Ms. Bake-it said...

Oh my word! I need to live near a peach orchard! I love peaches! I just bought some from the farmers' market and they are so good. I need to get more this weekend because I want to make a peach pie.

It looks like everyone had a fantastic time! Love those crates! I keep fruit readily available at home and I never have to worry about it going bad because it gets eaten so quickly. Your boys are adorable!

Have a great weekend!

~ Tracy

Christie said...

This is just lovely! I love the recipes...new ways to eat this wonderful fruit! The peach is our state fruit here in SC! We love 'em! The pictures are beautiful and your displays are always amazing! I will spend some time catching up on your past posts! Christie at Three Pixie Lane

Ranelle said...

Okay, my mouth is truly watering. Those peaches look delicious. Your crepes and peaches look like I could eat a couple platefuls of them. I agree about having fresh fruit handy - we have a couple of bowls out on the dining room table and the kitchen counter with bananas, apples, pears and peaches in them. The kids eat them more readily when they are out in the open. By the way, the kids' great grandma???? Surely you are jesting. She looks so much younger!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Oh yum! I've never had a grilled peach before and those crepes definitely have my name on them!

Rebecca said...

Oh my goodness- those crepes look amazing!!!

Holly Lefevre said...

Oh I wish we lived near a peach orchard. Peaches are my favorite. What a great place you visited (LOVE those crates). Your creations are making me very, very hungry.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Peaches are my favorite thing about visiting my family's mountain home in Georgia. What a gorgeous and yummy looking post!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

yum - we also enjoy Palisade Peaches and yum yum!

Jess @ Reclaimed Marketplace said...

I love your blog. Always. Every time I stop by I love it!

Grilled peaches! YUmmmmmm!


-Jess

www.myreclaimed.com/blog

Country Gal said...

Could that possibly be Orange Crush in a bottle in that picture?! I haven't tasted that for years - boy does that bring back good memories!

Jim said...

I've never tried peaches on the barbie like that.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

City Share said...

Those are some beautiful peaches. I especially like the crepes with peaches. Look delicious.

Terrell said...

YUMMMM-OLA! I love peaches and this looks just amazing! You're so creative! I'm happy to be your newest follower of your delightful blog and I'd love to have you as a friend at FrouFrou Decor! I would also like to invite you to show off your sweet creations each Friday at my Fabulous Friday Finds party! Hope to see you there!
Hugs,
~Terrell @ FrouFrou Decor~

Kelly Miller said...

Peaches have been out of season here for about a month, but we're heavy into apples right now. I wish I was a baker because fresh fruits make the best treats!

Lynn said...

Yum, Lisa, all your peach creations look delicious. And I've just got to say -- your boys have the youngest, best-looking great-grandma I've ever seen! Of course it helps that their momma is so cute, too :)

Jacqueline said...

Oh, I need my own peach tree. I had one but it died. I love peaches. These look so yummy. I will have to make the crepes. We have great roadside stands here in Utah with fresh peaches and in the stores if you make sure you buy the local ones.

Diane Schmidt said...

I LOVE peaches and these look fabulous! I could just reach out and grab on of those grilled peaches if they'd someone would tell me how :)
Stopping by from 504 main hop :)

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Your crepes look amazing. And I love those crates too!

Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites!

Ruth H. said...

I love crepes. I love peaches. I now also love that I've found your blog. Thanks for sharing!

Emily @ LaForce Be With You said...

These peaches look so yummy! Peaches are my favorite fruit and I love making things with them too!

www.laforcebewithyou.com

Heather said...

Please oh please oh please link this up to Fabulous Friday. I LOVE peaches, heaven......
Thanks for considering, love your blog!
Heather @ www.savingmoneylivinglife.com

Ami Allison said...

What a wonderful trip. Grilled or creped they look delicious!! I saw you on It's So Very Cheri! :)

Ashlee Marie said...

Wow! Those crepes look great! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's!