Sweltering Berry Picking
Over the last couple weeks we have had our share of this nasty heat wave. We came home from the cool mountains of Vermont to sweltering heat and humidity. Of course, the heat helped ripened the all the berries a bit early and we were left to pick in the worst of the heat. We choose an overcast morning to head out to the fields. We were armed with several bottles of water and blessed with a bit of breeze.
The kids are becoming quite the pickers and we were able to pick all the raspberries and blueberries we needed before the sun broke through from the clouds. The heat seemed to scare many away and we were left with the fields almost to ourselves. We all relished the quiet of the fields and nobody wanted to break the silence. The kids commented on how peaceful it was as they happily and quietly worked their way up and down the rows.
We enjoyed some cider and donuts before heading home with our newly picked loot. Raspberry jam, blueberry cobbler, raspberry sauce with chocolate over ice cream, fresh berries and cream... YUM!
Comments
Blueberry picking
I have fond memories of blueberry picking with my family. I love blueberries and live on them, once they are in season.
Debbie
I don't think we held up to
I don't think we held up to the heat as well as you all did :) Here's my post about picking blueberries http://verdemama.blogspot.com/2011/07/finding-balance-seeking-joy.html
Yeah... well, the minute the
Yeah... well, the minute the sun came out it was sweltering. We would not have done so well if it wasn't for the cloud cover. Of course, it also made it feel like we were working in the clouds... you can almost see the moisture in the air in the photos. We were very sticky when done. Thanks for sharing your post. Sorry to hear about the bee-sting. Ouch.
Michelle
Wee Folk Art Publisher
Maine Blueberries
All my children have eaten for three days is some form of blueberry! Are you in Maine also Michelle?
Nope. We are in Michigan.
Nope. We are in Michigan. Maine is number one for producing the low bush blueberries... apparently Michigan is number one for the tall bush variety. I've picked both and have to say... my back prefers the higher bushes. Either way though they taste great.
Michelle
Wee Folk Art Publisher
We have been picked berries
We have been picked berries in sweltering heat, too. Unfortunately, it's as hot in our house as outside since we don't have air conditioning. Makes me understand why pioneer women did they canning and candle making outside!
We don't have blueberries around us, but we do have strawberries, blueberries and boysinberries (sp). Nothing beats eating produce you pick yourself!
Yum!
This was the first year that I found time to go out and pick strawberries and raspberries. Mmm...strawberries are way easier to pick than raspberries, though, LOL. The strawberry jam that I made is amazing, I can't believe I haven't made time to do this before. Next time I need to pick twice as much! We are going to run out of jam in no time. We don't usually pick blueberries. I usually buy the low bush berries on the side of the road here in Maine. They're incredibly cheap. We plan on stopping for some on our way home from Acadia Natl Park this weekend! The recipe for blueberry pie in Cook's Illustrated is phenomenal. I highly recommend it. It uses vodka in the crust (pliable for rolling but evaporates for a flaky crust), and grated granny smith apple in the filling (lots of pectin so the filling is really set but without adding any off/glue-y flavors that too much tapioca would). Mmm...looking forward to making pie next week!
Tina
My crafty blog, http://squirrelacorns.wordpress.com