Picking Strawberries
Skylar and I picked strawberries today. It was a long drive out into the country, and usually I can count on her to fall asleep while in the car, but this time she kept chattering with excitement about the upcoming activity. It is a huge and beautiful field, and many of us fear that the encroaching suburbs will one day replace it with cookie-cutter houses and streets with cute little strawberry names. And that would be a shame, because grandpa's and little girls would lose out on a special time.
And, so we picked strawberries. Let me be honest- I gathered strawberries into the bucket - she managed to take at least one bite out of every fruit she picked. In conclusion, she had red juice running from head to toe, with the majority around her face. I told the guy at the pay station that it only appears that she has eaten some of their produce. He simply laughed. And with that I understand the owners are good people who would rather plant strawberries for little girls to pick than to build condos. Thank God for such people.
We brought home two gallons. And soon I had a stomach ache. How can you have an aching belly and still have a smile upon your face?
05.03.08 (12:02 am) [
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posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
05.02.08 (10:33 pm)
hahahahahahahaaaaa
"She managed to take at least one bite out of every fruit she picked..."
Oh I seriously chuckled as I got to that point in this post ~ precious ~ and I can just picture her picking a strawberry and 'taking a bite' ~ why I've been known to do the same thing myself. Actually, I think that is the #1 rule on 'how to pick strawberries' ~ mmmmmm
Now I realize I've got to take my grandkids to pick strawberries when they are ready here in Michigan.
Fortunately there are still places that will let you bring children to pick the fruit. Thank God for such people.
*smile*
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
05.02.08 (10:59 pm)
That's a berry nice post :-)
posted by:
fractalmom (
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post date:
05.03.08 (5:26 am)
what a wonderful day!!
posted by:
mimi (
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post date:
05.03.08 (7:03 am)
"strawberry fields forever!"
xoxoxo
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
05.03.08 (7:29 am)
Reply to: auntconi
I remember the strawberries in Belleville, MI, where I lived long ago. They were red, tasty, and huge. Belleville proclaimed itself "The Strawberry Capital Of The World". The place we went yesterday was abundant with the fruit. Within a ten-foot-stretch I was easily able to gather two gallons. They're great. Too bad I do not know how to make jelly or jam.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.03.08 (7:30 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Thanks! Berry much.
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
05.03.08 (7:35 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
The day was full. Together we mixed and poured fertilizer onto the flowers and vegetable garden. We swept the carport. We went out to eat, and of course picked strawberries. And we topped it all off by carefully searching for bugs in the backyard.
I'll bet that sounds like a good day to you!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.03.08 (7:39 am)
Reply to: mimi
I enjoyed it so much, I'm going to offer to take our senior adults at church to pick strawberries. My only hesitation is that I fear I'll end up picking for the whole bunch. Well, they do offer for sale quarts of strawberries already picked. I could feign a bad back, and suggest this alternative. Of course, these seasoned citizens always complain about being broke, even while I know most have plenty of money and need to loosen those purse strings just a bit.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
05.03.08 (10:18 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
that sounds like a totally awesome day to me LOL. and at least you didn't have to search for bugs in the strawberries LOL.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
05.03.08 (12:01 pm)
Now that is cheap child labour. But also quality time. It sounds like you enjoyed the fruits of your labour.
posted by:
OldSchool (
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post date:
05.03.08 (3:39 pm)
What a wonderful experience... for both of you!
posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
05.03.08 (4:11 pm)
What a great day! Sounds like you both had fun.
posted by:
Barbara (
reply)
post date:
05.03.08 (4:27 pm)
Please, where is this strawberry patch? There is one near where my parents live but that's way up in SC. I usually go up around this time of year just for the purpose of picking a couple gallons and then making preserves but I'm not going to be able to this year since I'll be meeting my mom at the beach for a week in 2 weeks. So where is this strawberry patch down here? I might even ask if I can borrow Skylar to go with me.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.03.08 (5:25 pm)
Reply to: Barbara
The strawberry fields are located on GA Hwy 20, between Grayson & Loganville. It's about 20 miles from my home. The have a website. www(dot)washingtonfarms(dot)net. (Sorry- t-Blog will not allow me to type out a website address!) But, I will place a link in the post ASAP. They also have blackberries, which will be ready in June!
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
05.05.08 (9:50 am)
What fun :D I want to do some strawberry picking, too, but it's too early here :)
posted by:
lorischuster (
reply)
post date:
05.12.08 (2:56 pm)
What a fun day. I can feel the smile from here. She is absolutely precious PD...what a blessing. I sense she has mellowed you tremendously.
