Arbor Day is April 26 and since I was a child, I have always thought that trees have personalities. As with people, I admit that I have my favorites. Some trees hold special memories such was my maternal grandmother’s peach trees. I was a proficient tree climber. My cousin was not. I used to have to push him to get his first footing onto the first limb. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized he was afraid of heights and I had no fear of going higher. My fraternal grandmother grew pear trees. Laura wouldn’t let me climb her trees but she let me pick the delightful fruit.

I loved the family togetherness as we gathered in the kitchen to can the fresh fruits. That sweet aroma of sugar syrup simmering will always bond those favorite memories. I recommend the exploration of different regions that offer the bounty of fruit groves. Travel to Traverse City, Michigan to find an abundance of cherries growing. Another fruitful region can be found by visiting the orange groves outside Lake Wales, Florida. Internationally, another delightful experience is to visit the lemon groves that surround Sorrento, Italy. The sweetest fruit is synonymous with the sweetest memories that can be encased in the Bring Spring Home Fruit Salad. Il se peut que tous les fruits le plus douces être le vôtre – May all the beautiful fruit be yours. Kelly McBride Loft

Bring Spring Home Fruit Salad

Prepare a crown mold.
Dissolve 2 pk. of unflavored gelatin in a little water. In a sauce pan, simmer 1 cup of orange juice and ¼ cup of sugar. Set aside.
In a bowl, mix ½ cup of sour cream and ½ cup of ricotta cheese well. Slowly add the orange juice mixture. Add 2 diced apples, 2 diced pears, 1 cup of drained, rinsed and quartered Bing cherries. Add 1 cup of whipped cream. Mix well. Pour into the crown mold and chill completely.