Spring’s arrival brings a cascade of memories—some etched in childhood wonder, others woven into family tradition. Among them is the magic of the apricot tree. As its delicate blossoms unfurl, they resemble tiny bursts of popcorn, an image immortalized in Georgia Wahlin Bello’s cherished song, Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree. This playful comparison has delighted generations, reminding us to pause and revel in nature’s beauty.
But the story of popcorn doesn’t end there. The scent of farm-fresh popcorn, warm and buttery, carries its own nostalgia—one found at Roberts Family Farms, where golden kernels are carefully grown and harvested. There’s a simple joy in knowing the hands that tend the crops, the care poured into each harvest, and the satisfaction of biting into something truly fresh.
For our family, apricot trees weren’t just symbols of spring—they were part of a cherished rhythm of life. Grandmother Mary Roberts would gently pick the ripest apricots from her tree, transforming them into fruit leather. The process was an act of patience and love: thin layers of apricot puree spread onto wooden trays, kissed by the warmth of the sun, slowly drying into sweet, chewy treats. The scent of apricots—rich, golden, sun-drenched—was a signal that summer had arrived, and with it, the flavors of tradition.
Both popcorn and apricots, whether blooming on trees or popped in kettles, remind us of life’s simple joys. They connect us to nature, to family, to the traditions we carry forward. While our farm no longer has an apricot tree, we do have several flowering plum trees, apple trees, and a cherry tree to provide us with beautiful blossoms each spring.
So, which version of “popcorn” stirs your fondest memories—the poetic sight of blossoms in spring, the satisfying crunch of Roberts Family Farms popcorn, or the treasured warmth of sun-dried fruit leather made with love?
Perhaps, like me, you find joy in them all.