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The glowing apples

Someone re-gifted us a bag of foraged heirloom apples, given to them by someone who knew someone, who had a tree that was so gnarled and old that they no longer remembered who had originally planted it or even the variety of apple. 

Cranberries and apples www.ruralmag.com



All they knew was that they tasted great when harvested each Autumn, and it was a shame to let them go to waste...they were well past their best before date when we received them, but they've been hanging around the back door like a stray pet for some time. I couldn't bear to send them off to the compost and the worms yet... 






Originally destined to become applesauce, those charming apples with their pale golden skin glow in the dim light of the approaching winter solstice. 

Capturing warmth from the table lamp perched on the edge of the kitchen dresser, they glimmer like fairy lights seasonally scattered in among antique glass ornaments. 

Each time I walked past them, in daylight or darkness, they made me feel warm and Christmasy and for this reason alone...I really didn't want to throw them out.

Last week when finally feeling well enough after the flu bug decided to take up residence somewhere else I used them as props for a series of photos and this is the result.


cranberries and apples glowing www.ruralmag.com



So inspired by their glow, I decided to add some cranberries to contrast the golden tones it's made me feel as festive as anything else...

And there's more to come...with the massive amounts of snow we just got there is also a series of days of icy cold weather...perfect time to make ice lanterns and use up the remaining cranberries, and apples, mixed in with the evergreen boughs....I'll be sharing those results in a few days.

Happy Christmas, Jen @ RURAL magazine






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