Friday, April 13, 2012

Spring Berries

We are fortunate to live in an area where we have fresh produce, to either pick ourselves, or in this case, buy it already picked. In the spring there is a choice of several berries: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Early to mid summer brings the peaches and melons, and fall provides us with apples and pumpkins. Some "pick your own" farms also have tomatoes.

When I was a child, Daddy and Mama had a strawberry patch and sold the berries in town. We picked the berries ourselves. I can remember coming home from school and going to the berry patch where I could sit in the shade and eat that "fresh from the vine" goodness. Today berries have been bred for shipping; they keep longer than the berries we raised. But ~ their flavor isn't anything like those old berries; sometimes I can almost remember their taste.

Since we had no refrigeration, of course we didn't have ice cream to eat with the strawberries, so I grew up eating my berries with milk and sugar. I still like strawberries with milk and cereal.

I'd like to have a row of strawberries; but, oh my! It is a terrible job to hoe them! I remember that too! Do you grow your own strawberries, or do you have a farm where you can pick your own?
Charlotte

7 comments:

  1. I remember that we grew strawberries one year when I was a child; I can still picture them! We ate blackberries and dewberries with milk or cream and sugar, too! Sooo good!!
    I also remember the cobblers made with them. Oh my, I'm hungry now!

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  2. When we lived upstate NY we had a nearby farm where we went to pick strawberries Charlotte. You're right. They were so much tastier than the store bought ones. Alas, I haven't found anything near us.
    I love mine with milk and sugar too!

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  3. Beautifully delicious photo. Your memories of childhood are so sweet and bring back many memories of mine. Cream or Milk and sugar was the best. :)
    I agree that the special bred berries aren't are as sweet as in the old days. The taste has been lost for longevity.

    I've always wanted a strawberry pyramid. And someday I intend to have one. My husband tried to get me to make one this year, but I feel the expense would be too hard on our budget, so I'll wait til we can afford it.

    Wishing you a sweet weekend! :)

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  4. I love strawberries.
    When I moved to the country
    years ago I had my own patch.
    Children loved to eat them
    but - no one wanted to help me pick them.
    In our local market - a great price and so good at .79 quart
    Now you cannot beat that...

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  5. Yummy...I love to eat fresh strawberries right out of the field. We used to go pick them ourselves now I buy them already picked. Have a blessed day! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments!

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  6. Hey Charlotte, love the look of those berries, but you're right, some of todays fruit isn't quite as tasty as the older varieties.....

    We have a couple of plants, but I think I put them in the wrong spot in the garden may need to move them to a sunnier spot. Our dog used to beat us to the ripe berries too....

    We grow our own raspberries and brambleberries, they are delish and so nice to walk out into the garden and pick a dish full....

    Claire :}

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  7. I've tried to grow them but never had any luck! I have enjoyed some local strawberries this week though-and they are so good!

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