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Thursday, July 12, 2007

Our 2007 stash
Blueberries
We stocked up on blueberries for the winter yesterday. It was hot. Can you feel the heat looking at this photo. The girls riding the tractor trailer to the patch.
of course Sally Jane has perfect hair no matter what the weather.
we picked flowers from the flower garden. at steal for only $7.00 a bunch!
Annie Kate was a trooper picker and didn't want to stop. She kept going while me and the little girls hung by the water cooler.
we got some awesome tart cherries and practiced using their de-pitter in the country store.
and our favorite thing is their fresh fruit slushies. At $1.35 each (they are very small) I think they are pricey but oh so worth every bit. We had strawberry lemonade and Apple&blueberry.
If you live in the D.C. area here is the farm. But Homestead is still my favorite. Peaches are coming this weekend. woo hoo!

our bunch from the day!. Thanks to my friend Stefanie who gave me this Awesome Longaberger basket it has been catching our fruit and vegetables for two summers now. You can buy them from her too.


So with my cherries and blueberries I was able to get my 4th of July neighbor gifts done too.

26 comments:

Michelle Alley said...

How fun! I just love fresh berries and it's amazing you braved the DC humidity to go. I love that you took the time to give the berries as gifts. You are truly amazing! Also, I think I"m going to start calling you my ribbon angel. Thank you so much for the ribbon - I haven't found a place that sells ribbon without paying a fortune - therefore, you are now my ribbon angel! Have a blessed and wonderful day!

Amanda :-) said...

Wow, it DOES look hot on those pictures. How was AK after that intense harvesting? Did she flake out at home?

That cherry de-pitter looks a fabby little gadget. One must get an immense sense of satisfaction and achievement from sitting and de-pitting a great pile of cherries. I think I'd get addicted to de-pitting with that little gizmo!

stefanie said...

Those blueberries look fantastic. What do you like to make with them? Glad to see that you are making good use of that basket. The last time I saw it, it was filled with goodies for Sweet Caroline! Where does the time go?

Elizabeth said...

That is so wonderful to have close to home. And what a blessing a freezer is, so you can enjoy them through the winter.

Kristy said...

I'm so glad I saw this post today. It reminded me to call the orchard to find out when our blueberries are going to be on. They should be ready by the middle of next week. I can't wait! I never liked blueberries until we moved to CT and I picked my own. They truly are delicious.

Quick Question- When you store them do you wash them before freezing them? I read somewhere that I shouldn't wash them because it takes the waxy coating off and they get freezer burn, so I always just wash them before using them throughout the winter. I've always felt kind of weird about not washing them first. How do you preserve yours?

Amanda said...

That's awesome! We are doing our pickin' and jam and jelly making this weekend (along with Harry Potter!)It does look HOT, I hope its not like that here. Yum, yum, Kristi.

Rachel said...

What a wonderful place! I have strawberries (from the store :( ) to make freezer jam with today! Fun stuff! Adorable pictures!
Oh and I think it's terrific how the 'pay-it-forward' ideas are all coming about!

Jill said...

Other than the heat that looks like a totally wonderful outing. I love the pictures, the tradition and the possibilities of it all. I would be giddy about being about to gather a bunch of flowers like that.

Liz said...

The blueberries look yum! If it were me though, I'd be buying the baskets and not picking, I hate being hot!!!

annalisa said...

Kristy I always feel so inspired when I check out your blog. What a fun activity to do (even if the heat was bearing down). My girl would love doing that; I wonder if there are any farms around here that let you pick your own fruit? Everything you do with your girls you take above and beyond. If checking out the author and statue online doesn't get her excited about reading, I don't know what will. Your kids are going to have such wonderful memories of their childhood.
It was fun back reading on your blog and can I say it totally made my day to see my comment meant that much to you. And your ward really is awesome. I was in heaven with the discussions and testimonies. The girl who taught Alexis' class was so sweet; we rode back on the metro with her. I was sad I didn't see you and that I had to drag my little goody back for you back home to mail. Have a fabulous time on your upcoming vacation!

Anonymous said...

I love the fruit this time of year - Luci has me running to the fresh market almost daily for raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries!

Webb Family said...

you are such a wonderful mom you do the most fun things with your kiddos!!

Anonymous said...

We used to pick blueberries when I was a kid in Kansas. Your photos brought back such fun memories for me of those hot summer days at the blueberry patch!

Marie said...

I love berry U-picks. I can't wait until August when the raspberries will be ready. I can eat my weight in raspberries.

Amy said...

Ah, the beauty of living in an agricultural state. I'm not sure that we have any farms to visit like that here in ard ol' Utah, but we do have the Downtown Farmers Market in Salt Lake. I think I'm going to head up there on Saturday to pick up the ingredients for a caprese salad that we had in Venice. Fresh basil, fresh tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella (the farmers market is right across from Tony Caputo's Italian market). Mmmm. I may not be able to pick it fresh from the farm, but I can still get farm fresh!

And, seriously, Kristi, 4th of July neighbor gifts? Can you move into my neighborhood next?

Unknown said...

adorable neighbor gifts!

recent RAK promptings have me racking my brain for a fun neighbor gift for august? any thoughts, other than back to school?

(see, when i say "racking my brain" i really mean "scouring kristi's blog...")

Price Cream Parlor said...

Fun outing indeed. Love to take the littles out berry pickin'. Neighbor gifts even for the 4th? That is fantastic! I have never thought of that!
Do share your favorite blueberry recipe.

Shauna said...

Mmmm. I am hearing a Blueberry Cobbler call my name

Jamie said...

I've learned a good lesson from you. I tend to think it's not okay to deliver a holiday gift after the holiday. Sometimes I don't pull it all together on time and just don't do it. I love to see that you have done this and I'm sure anyone loves a surprise ANYTIME!

melanie said...

Your outing looks great. I must admit never having fresh blueberries from a farm so I have no idea if I like them or not. Sad, maybe this year I should seek some out. Love the photos of the girls.

Ashley said...

I love it that you find these farms and pick fruit. How do you find them? Do you think there are places like this all over the US? (I would guess yes in California but I don't know how I'd go about finding them.) Your kids are so lucky to have you as a mom.

Traci said...

Just passed the farm we like to pick blueberries from today and they had their sign up for BLUEBERRIES!! You know where the kids and I will be heading next week..
I think it's really fun to pick-your-own. My kids really enjoy it as well!

Anonymous said...

We moved from that area just about a year ago. I've been reading here, savoring all of the things that you mention! Visits downtown, Butler's, Homestead, and oh! so many more things. Have you tried Doughboys which is near where you live? We loved their pizza! Thanks for the memories!

Rebekah said...

I wanted to make sure I haven't missed the Pink Christmas signup. It hasn't happened yet, right?

michelle said...

4th of July neighbor gifts?! You are truly out of control, Kristi. I want to be your neighbor! What a fun harvest day, and a beautiful basket of berries.

Kristi said...

Beautiful pictures! Looks like you guys had fun!