Sunday, June 29, 2008

Strawberry Pickin'

When I was younger, my mom often took us strawberry picking. We'd wake up at the crack of dawn to avoid the extreme heat of the day, and we'd go pick as many strawberries as our crates could hold. Then we'd get home and my mom would make jar after jar (after jar) of jam. She would also make the most delicious strawberry shakes and pies. I remember how GOOD the strawberries smelled. Buying them in the store could never compare. So, my mom and I decided to take Lily strawberry picking last week. Carry on the tradition, so to speak. Now, we didn't exactly get up at the crack of dawn...so we were pickin' in the HEAT of the day. It was SO HOT! Lily was really excited to be there (for about 15 minutes). She got her own little basket, and watched my mom (the "expert") to see how it was done, picked about 5 strawberries, ate one of them, decided she was hot and thirsty, went back to the car to drink her juice and wait for us to finish. Oh, and she had to use the port-a-potty not once, but TWICE. Sweet memories!
Seriously, it was fun. And, we really enjoyed washing and eating them later that day. (after swimming the afternoon away at my sister's house.)



























27 comments:

Middle-Aged Moi said...

Oh, you're making me LONG for the strawberry farm down the road to open up.....

C's Mom said...

What a great tradition! Well, except maybe for the porta potty part ;0)

Seriously, what great memories to have.

kerri said...

Beautiful memories and I love your carrying on family traditions that meant so much to you. ;)
We picked last week and we have to go once more so I can make jam, we ate the last batch, LOL.
I am a little on the lazy side so I just make freezer jam, the girls pretty much can make the recipe themselves so it is so much fun!!
Great photos!!

LaLa said...

What a sweet (literally) tradition to carry on. Looks like she is a pro : )

Paula said...

How fun is that! I love the pic of lilly with the basket on her head and the last shot of her in the car- it does look hot! I bet that jam is to die for. When I lived in Santa Cruz we had Ollalieberry and kiwi picking spots.

Kim said...

What a great tradition to pass on with Lily...
LOVE the pictures..
Lily is tooo cute.. LOVE the basket on her head...
You can tell she is hot in the last picture..
Have a Great Sunday..
Talk to you soon..
Love ya girly..

Steffie B. said...

too, too cute.....she is a little brownberry just like Sophia! ;)

day by day said...

Oh, no...not the porta potties! LOL! Your trip sounds very similar as to what ours would be like. Ella is always so excited about doing new things, but will then get tired, hot and thirsty pretty quick!

I love to pick strawberries and love to eat them even more!!

Happy Sunday, Nikki!!!

kitchu said...

I would so be doing the same thing- I'd last no more than 15 minutes in that heat until I needed my water and a cool shade or AC! Glad you guys had fun :)

Daniella said...

Love traditions!!! This seems like a fun one. I love strawberries and all things strawberry!

Pixel Fairy Princess said...

Love it! She is just adorable - love her expressions!

We went strawberry pickin with Daleea and the kids and the girls were so cute :D We are ac actually going blueberry picking on Tuesday - can't wait to see hoe those pic turn out!
Ladybug hugs,
;D

Gee Gee said...

Lily sure looks "bushed" for only having picked a few strawberries. Just kiddin' I know the heat got to her! That's great that you're letting her experience what you enjoyed as a little one! Your mom makes the best strawberry jam in the world I think. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

What a girl! I bet it was so hot as Lil looks like she worn to a frazzle sitting in the car, sweaty, with rosy red cheeks! :)

Anna lasted at picking berries the same amount of time and then thru dirt around. She needed a major bath by the time we finished.

Jewels of My Heart said...

I'm sorry, but that is just a sweet story.... your memories, carrying on the tradition with Lily, and your new memories of her first strawberry outing. lol
Good times

Juliette said...

Dare I say we haven't been yet with Maƫlle. I love berries picking, we used to do that a lot when I was a kid too but I didn't push myself yet to bring her there...Lazy mommy.
Ok, I added it to the to do list.
Have a great week!

JMCS said...

Nikki,

What a wonderful tradition to carry on with Lily. It looks like you guys had a super-fun time and now she will not only have memories of picking strawberries with her mom, but also with her grandmom.

Hugs,
Jonni

3 Peanuts said...

Strawberry picking looks fun...I think we'll be going next week with our friends:)

Harry has been picking wild blackberries.

Kim

RamblingMother said...

Ooo she is hot. What a fun day though.

Kristi said...

Hi friends! Happy to catch up on your summer activities as we are back in town. What fun you guys have had! Love those strawberry pickin photos!

Mommy Spice said...

We took S.G. strawberry picking when she was little bitty. She loved it. Especially eating them. We need to take her back again, as she does not remember us going.

mommy24treasures said...

oh how fun, I love the last pic. Love the last pic of Lily with her sippy. It does get hot down here!!!

t~ said...

I'd love to go strawberry pickin' with that cutie!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

i have to admit since i don't like fruit pickin anything from a tree, vine, or tree doesn't hold any pleasure for me ... now if they start sprouting chocolate bars then i will be the first one there ...lol

looks like you guys had fun !!!

The Princess's Mommy said...

Oh I used to love to go strawberry picking....haven't been in ages! Lily is adorable, as always!
Have a wonderful day!
Monica

The Princess's Mommy said...

Oh I used to love to go strawberry picking....haven't been in ages! Lily is adorable, as always!
Have a wonderful day!
Monica

Denise C said...

Oh yummy!!! Precious sweet* pics of your precious sweet* gal!!!

Have a blessed 4th of July, my sweet friend!!!

Love ya!!
Denise

kerri said...

Happy 4th of July to my two favourite American girls.
Have a wonderful holiday. ;)