Apple Trees, Violets and Roly Polies
Chapter 9
One of Addy’s first memories was of her backyard. She loved exploring.
At the back edge of the property stood an ancient apple tree. The tree had been part of the original landscape plan of her grandfather’s 1915 Design.
The tree was now gnarled from years of weathering the Savannah winds. Several posts help support the aging branches. However, it never failed to produce beautiful Golden Delicious Apples. Her mother would bake them into pies or make them into tea sandwiches.
The abundance, she shared with her neighbors and friends.
Not much would grow underneath its shade, except violets. Addy recalled those long summer days when she was very young. She would toddle out the back screen door and head to the old tree. She loved the smell. After a summer rain, the ground would absorb the aroma of the apples. Little roly-polies would burrow of out the ground. She would carefully scoop them up, tickle their bellies and watch them turn into perfect little armored balls.
However, the most memorable part would be to gather the wild violets that carpeted the underneath of the tree. Their delicate purple and white blossoms and slender stalks were of great fascination to her. She would gently pick them and run gleefully back into the kitchen and present them to her mother.
It happened that her parents were give a little German flower vase with gold legs as a wedding gift. It was hand-painted with violets. The size was perfect for placing the delicate blossoms. Addy always smiled with pride and happiness at the fuss her mother made over her gift. The vase and flowers were placed on the kitchen window sill.
In the late afternoons, Mrs. Wilder would make tea sandwiches from the apples and combine them with cream cheese, fig preserves and watercress. The two Wilder ladies would the go outside and spread a red and white checked tablecloth under the tree. They took their sandwiches and a thermos of hot tea.
These were special times that Mrs. Wilder and Addy would always cherish.
Today, the tree still stands. The branches, even more gnarled and weathered, still bear their juicy fruit
The violets and the roly polies continue to live in happy co-existence.
Mrs. Wilder’s Golden Apple Fig Preserve & Watercress Tea Sandwiches
INGREDIENTS
2 Slices White Sandwich Bread
1 Tablespoon of The Southern Conserve’s Fig Preserves
2 Tablespoons of Cream Cheese
¼ Golden Delicious Apple, thinly sliced (leave the rind on)
½ cup watercress, thick stems removed
DIRECTIONS
Spread the bread with the Cream Cheese.
Form a sandwich with the Fig Preserves, Apple, and Watercress.
Cut in your favorite tea sandwich shape.
The Southern Conserve is the Products Line from Chef Theodore Paskevich + Donald Holland. It is sold at Provisions SAV and online on our website.