picking in the rain

My sister Sarah sent me this photo on Friday.


It served as a friendly reminder that it's grape harvest time...right now! New Hampshire (where grape-eyed Nathan lives) is usually a week or two behind PA, and those grapes look to be at their peak; I panicked at the thought I might have missed my crop!

It's been a rainy weekend, but today was supposed to be less wet, so Michael and I decided to visit the swamp where we pick. By the time we got there it was pouring. I could see we'd missed peak harvest, being away last weekend, so I was determined to pick as much as I could. (Next weekend we'll be in San Fran, so this was my only chance.)

The grapes were so ripe they fell off the vine at the slightest touch. For every five I picked, one or two would slip through my fingers, leaving a little snack for the next fox/raccoon/groundhog that comes along. Despite the rain I picked enough for this year's pyment (a grape wine made with honey), and maybe even a small batch of spiced grape jelly. Was it worth the wet? You bet.