Cherry Orchards & Cherry Pies
Cherry Orchard | Lacoste, France
As this blog rolls in behind schedule, as most things do here in Provence, I am reminded of our first week here in Lacoste. I told Courtney in the weeks leading up to our arrival of the cherry trees. There lies an entire orchard nestled in the heart of the valley, hugged by the cascading hills of lower Lacoste. Some agreement between SCAD and the valley’s farmers, perhaps as old as the valley itself, has maintained that wandering students might lighten the load of the many trees heavy with vibrant rouge fruit.
Serious Cherry Picking | Lacoste, France
Less Serious Cherry Picking | Lacoste, France
When I came here as a student it was for the spring quarter, a time when the region bloomed into life. First came the poppies, then to my surprise was the burgeoning of cherries on the valley’s trees. Having not had an oven to bring sweet life to a cherry pie, it was my goal on returning to right the inconveniences of the past. When we snuck an opportunity, Courtney and I traipsed into the orchard in all of our newly arrived glee (it should be noted that traipsing also entails walking a quarter mile down a rocky, medieval, goat herding trail).
Picking cherries in south France is a photography dreamland, so naturally I brought our camera with us. We honestly had the best time just taking a moment to rest and meander together in the morning minutes before Courtney had her class. Later we made one of Courtney’s family recipes, a cherry crumble topped with a sweet layer of heavy whipping cream.
My Cherry Picking Queen | Lacoste, France
Cherry Delight
Crust
1 ½ Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
¼ Cup Sugar
1 Stick Butter, Melted
Mix Above & Press into a 9x9” pan. Chill in the refrigerator.
Filling
4 Cups Pitted Cherries
½ Cup Sugar
Simmer cherries & sugar on medium heat until it reduces and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool. Add filling on top of the crust.
Topping
1 ½ Cups Sugar
8oz. Package Cream Cheese
1 Cup Whipping Cream, Whipped with 1 Tbsp Sugar & 1 Tsp. Vanilla.
Whip sugar & cream cheese together, then fold in Whipped Cream. Lay cream on top of filling.
Cherry Picking | Lacoste, France
Randomized Quality Inspection | Lacoste, France
It’s not so much that Lacoste, or Provence, or France for that matter, are altogether different from our life in the States, if anything life becomes more obviously similar with time. Instead, I think that life here has offered a more rich connection with the land than I had back home. The rhythms of the calendar have asked us to walk alongside them, or rather through cherry orchards. The place itself leaves us dreaming of how we might gently bring new patterns into the city earnestly waiting for us to return.
I don’t think it takes living in Provence to cultivate new rhythms though. And remember, they have been cultivating these rhythms over centuries. Your town cook, who is also your town vice mayor and town fireman, organizing a regional fire jumping festival on St. John’s day doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, I think places like this are an invitation to bring new rhythms into your already wonderful life. Maybe we can all develop some beautiful ones and chat about it soon.
— Hampton
The Goat Trail | Lacoste, France
Amidst the Orchard | Lacoste, France
Cherries at Dawn | Lacoste, France
