The Strawberry Harvest has begun! This was our first real picking, a bowlful last Saturday. We've had about 5 smashed cups each day since. We chose to celebrate by making Strawberry Shortcake for Family Night treat. Yummy! Unfortunately, we've had a lot of rain, which is great for the rest of the garden, but has given us some problems with fungus. It seems to like the ripest berries, so I've started picking them a bit earlier than usual to try to get them first. I'm hoping to make several batches of jam, so I've just been throwing a batch amount of smushed berries in a freezer bag and throwing them in the freezer. Once the harvest is over, I'll thaw them out and make the jam.
But, summer rain can be so fun. It's been warm enough that the girl's can play in it without getting chilled.
Also, Wednesday was the last day of school for my kids. So, I am going to take a blogging vacation for a bit. I'll be busy either making jam or making memories with the kids for the next couple weeks. I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!
Mmmmmmmmmm, I love strawberries! Even better with shortcake. A perfect treat!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of your girl in the rain. That is another one of my favorites -- I love the smell of rain.
I will miss you as you rest for a season (or perhaps I should say, are busy with other things!) Can't wait to blog with you again!
HOw do you keep the birds from eating your berries?? I'm TRYING to grow some, but they keep getting eaten. :(
ReplyDeletehave a great summer!
ReplyDeleteI just posted a picture of our strawberries on my blog too. We must be sisters! I know what you mean about trying to get the berries taken care of. I spent the last couple of months turning frozen apricots from last year into fruit leather. All the food just starts coming at once....it is a bit overwhelming! Good thing there are freezers! I am sad you will not be blogging as much, but I will be in the same boat. We want to enjoy this last summer we have before our kids start into school. Have fun with the family, post pictures if you can so we can see all the fun things you are up to. I can't wait to see you!
ReplyDeleteMMMMM I loves me some strawberries! I was so looking forward to peach jam this year, but something got all my peaches. I.am.livid. You have fun with your jam makin' self...just hurry back here to blog land!
ReplyDeleteOur strawberries this year came all at once. I was in a cut rate store andthey had fresh strawberries from California by the case for $5.00. They were great berries too. That is one thing that comes from CA that tastes goo. (Mindy and I are a couple more good things from CA.) We froze most, gorged ourselves profusely, including dipping a few in chocolate. Hope you make some good memories and we are looking forward to seeing you all.
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun dancing in the summer rain when I was kid. It was so refreshing when it began to sprinkle while I was working in the garden the other night.
ReplyDeleteThose strawberries look yummy. Have a fun break.
Oh, fresh strawberries! I can't wait for strawberry season to start here - but that will be in a month! Enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeleteWOW two great pics of strawberries in one day. I am so jealous. Looking forward to seeing you guys.
ReplyDeleteThat looks wonderful! I love homemade strawberry jam. My mom makes freezer jam which is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to cut back on blogging for the summer too. The kids are getting tired of looking at the back of my head.
Before you go on your break, can you tell me how you got categories on your blog?
Great post! I hope I can get a bowl full at one time... I have eaten 5 berries so far and that is our only harvest... here's hoping I can make jam too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic picture of your daughter with the umbrella ... I LOVE that!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's an equally fantastic picture of your strawberries. I tried growing strawberries a few years ago - and soon as the fruit started to ripen, the dogs ate them all. Same with our tomatoes. I never knew dogs enjoyed fresh produce so much.
I hope that you enjoy a wonderful summer full of fresh berries, warm rain ... and happy memories!
Enjoy your time with your kids. Isn't summer the best!
ReplyDeleteSee you when you get back. I think we're all gonna take a bit of a break this summer. I hope everyone does. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteTwo terrific photos! Those berries look so delicious, much better than the ones I just picked up at the store!
ReplyDeleteHave a great summer Nettie, I will miss reading your blog!
I hope you have a great summer as well! I'm trying to plan some fun things to do with my kids this summer too! I hope you enjoy your time with your kids. I'm sure they'll love having your undivided attention! :)
ReplyDeleteCharla
Beautiful berries! Enjoy your harvest, preserving, and your kids. My hubby is almost done with his summer class and they we too are going to be taking a break. Have fun with your family. I am excited to see all the fun things you will have done.
ReplyDeletemmmm those look delicous! Do you grow them yourself?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your kids and the warm weather!
I'll miss your blog too, but have a great summer. Good luck with the jam, my favorite is freezer jam.
ReplyDeleteAlso loving the strawberries and the rain!
ReplyDeleteDarling picture, btw.
hey we just went picking-- love th berries!
ReplyDeleteYum, strawberries! And I love playing in summer rain!
ReplyDeleteI swear that I commented. I must have when Blogger was having a tantrum.
ReplyDeleteNettie, you take SUCH beautiful pictures. Have YOU ever considered a career in photography? You would make a grundle!
And the strawberries sound oh, so delish! Yummy!
That picture of strawberries belongs in a magazine! Yummy :-)
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