It's that time of year again when local blueberries are in season and ripe for picking. This is the third year in a row that I've posted about our annual visit to this local farm to pick blueberries. I guess it doesn't come as a surprise, then, how fond I am of this simple tradition in our family.It's been very hot and humid here for the last several days with temperatures hovering around 100 F, so we waited for a break in the heat and chose today to go because temperatures were only in the low 80s at midmorning. Turns out it didn't really make too much of a difference, because according to the forecast, with the heat index it felt more like 98 F anyway! I guess that explains our flushed faces and damp clothing after less than an hour in the blueberry field. For once I was ready to go as soon as the first "I'm hot," complaint came along.
I don't think I could ever resist the lure of 'pick your own' on a farm.
Rows of zinnias and I think, ageratum (the brilliant blue flowers on the right).
My youngest daughter picking 'star berries' as she insisted calling the blueberries today. Did you know that 'star berries' is one of the original names for what we call blueberries today? They were called 'star berries' because of the star shape on blossom end of the blueberry.
This is a photo of me that my youngest daughter took with my camera. She wanted to capture the blueberries falling from my hand into the basket and she got the shot! Yet another photographer in the house!
My eldest daughter has taken an avid interest in photography over the last several months and is showing signs of a natural talent for composition and artistry already. She's taking photography as an elective next year in school. I can't wait to see where it takes her and I hope she'll have the patience to teach me whatever she learns...
I took this photo below of her taking photos of the blueberries from the other end of the row. Since my youngest and I had the basket with us, at first we figured she was just taking pictures and not picking berries.
I underestimated her resourcefulness. She had both pockets of her dress filled with blueberries.
"C'mon, Mom. It's hot. Let's go."
What is your favorite way to eat blueberries?
My favorite way is blueberry muffins. Yummy!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a fun trip! I love blueberries, and all those pictures made me want to go stock up at my local grocery store. I'm not very good in the kitchen so I usually eat fruit by itself.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful day, beautiful berries, beautiful flowers, beautiful girls! :D
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever eat blueberries, except a little bit in muffins and ice-cream; strawberries are more popular here. :) Can't wait to see what you'll do with the 5 lbs of blueberries. :)
I love blueberries. I get to eat them at my parents' summer cottage. Luckily the forest is full of them. Our blueberries grow in very short bushes (about 20cm high) and in forests. I've never seen that large "trees" as in your pictures. I'm not quite sure if we have that sort of blueberry picking fields here in Finland where they would grow as high…
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of blueberries, but they do look good.
ReplyDeleteOh, yum, blueberries! Blueberry muffins, blueberry cobbler and blueberries with yogurt are my favorite ways to eat blueberries. *G* I am seriously hoping the Out-laws take the kids blackberry picking again this summer, we ate them all so fast that we didn't cook them in anything!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blueberries AND your budding photographer!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Anna...
ReplyDeleteBlueberry muffins are the best! I love that you can use frozen or fresh blueberries to make them so you can make them homemade all year long!
firepages...
Hi! Blueberries are at their peak right now, so If you live in the States, you should be able to find fresh blueberries at a great price in grocery stores right now. You can buy a whole case and then freeze them to eat all year long. I even put frozen blueberries on my cereal or yogurt in the winter! :)
Jace...
Thank you! I think my girls are beautiful, too! But I am their mom, so you know... ;)
I imagine blueberries would be expensive in Malaysia. It doesn't get cold enough there--or anywhere near you--to grow them. I think the plans need 6 weeks of below freezing temperatures to produce fruit or something like that.
Maija...
In Finland, I'm sure it gets plenty chilly enough in the winter for the blueberry bushes to produce tons of these baby blues! How lucky that you have the wild variety there! The small ones pack so much more flavor than the highbush variety that grows here.
My friend who lives in the mountains about 2 hours north of me has a patch of the short growing wild kind in the woods next to her house. I should plan my next visit to her when they're ready to be picked, don't you think? ;)
Dru...
Not a fan of blueberries? That's okay, more for me! Ha ha!
Brandy...
I love blueberries with yogurt, too! I've been eating a lot of greek style yogurt lately. I still buy the nonfat kind, but I love that it's so creamy and tangy.
You should definitely plan on blackberry picking this summer as those are your favorite berries! I know I am! Here it isn't blackberry picking season until very late August or early September, so it's tough getting it in before the girls start school. Plus the blackberry farm is a bit farther away.
The farm where we blueberry pick also has pick your own peaches soon, so we'll do that in early August.
Have a great weekend, everyone! :D
Thanks for the tip Christine! I will definitely do that. I also wanted to let you know that I am currently having a GIVEAWAY on my blog, so enter to win my Ultimate Purple Passion Package!
ReplyDeleteBlueberry picking would be much fun! I love blueberry muffins and they are on sale this week! wooo hooo! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Darlin'!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite way is in plain yogurt! That's how my little guy likes them too! We went picking for veggies at a friends farm. Check out my recent pics on Facebook.
The little guy picked an onion bigger than him!!
It was so lovely to be in all that veggie goodness.
Take care,
Michelle
firepages...
ReplyDeleteGreat blog and awesome giveaway! I'm entering!! Thanks for the heads up!
Ingrid...
Thanks for visiting. Hope you get some of those muffins! :)
Michelle...
Hey sweet pea!
I had blueberries in plain Greek yogurt for breakfast with a bit of granola sprinkled on top and a drizzle of agave syrup. Yum!!
I saw pics of your ADORABLE kiddo on facebook yesterday. I believe I even left a comment! ;)
How fun that your friend has a farm and you could go picking!!!!
Enjoy your Sunday everyone! Two hours to the World Cup Final!!! WOOooo!
Sounds like you all had a great time! Those blueberries look yummy!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are such a courageous woman, Christine! LOL, not surprised that they complained about the heat ^_^; I would have too!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, your daughter's shirt wasn't too stained by the blueberries :D
So, 5lbs, is that enough for all the goodies you planned for?
I haven't eaten many blueberries...you're inspiring me to try over the summer though :)
ReplyDeleteHmm. And if your daughter is taking photography maybe you'll be in front of the camera? *grin*
And you're girls are gorgeous!
Ohhh, I love blueberries! Those look gorgeous as do your girls. I don't blame them for wanting to rush... it was HOT! You picked quite a lot of blueberries despite the heat. Hope that's enough for your recipies. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy...
ReplyDeleteI love blueberry picking. It's easier on your back and joints than strawberry picking, that's for sure!
nath...
No stains on daughter's pockets. The blueberries were firm.
I think 5 lbs. will be enough. Jam uses a lot of berries, but since I'm not making blueberry jam this year, I should have enough for blueberry lemon pound cake, a blueberry tart and plenty for breakfast, too!
orannia...
Do blueberries grow in NZ? I imagine the climate is right. You should give them a try--they're so good for you!
HA ha! Yes, perhaps I'll be in front of the camera more often now. But you know these teens... they may not think mom is cool enough to be in her photos. *sigh*
"And you're girls are gorgeous!"
Thank you!! I think so, too, but I'm their mom so you know... ;)
Hilcia...
I love blueberries, too!!!! I hope I have enough for my recipes, too! LOL! I think it'll do.
Cobbler cobbler cobbler!
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I have never made a cobbler before?????
ReplyDelete