Our plucky adventurers sample their the first batch of organic pear cider.

There was a nice break in the weather this memorial day weekend.  The sun warmed the earth this lazy early summer afternoon and it was nice to be together.  We strolled the orchard. Everything was green and made comments like, "the raised garden should be nearly deer-proof."

As we lingered, admiring the pond, Skip disappeared, but we hardly noticed.  When he returned he had two bottles in his hand.  "Shall we taste the fruits of our labors?"  He grinned.

With only one plastic cup and the open bottle between the six of us, we sipped, smiled and talked.  It was a rainbow of flavor that changed as the cider became accustomed to the air.  Sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, sometimes funky and always interesting, we had much to talk about.  The flavor, fermentation process, our choices of fruit, plans for future batches, science, pseudo science, philosophy, conspiracy theory.

We all decided that the batch was too small and  inconsistent to sell but were heartened at how much it had going for it.  We will, with great joy, continue to define and refine this product.

Thank you Sarah DiMuzio for your design talent in creating this year's label.