Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Raspberry Picking

We took a detour from our regular schedule today to take advantage of the beautiful weather and a nearby farm with fruit calling to be picked. I grew up in rural Indiana enjoying the benefits of large gardens, an apple orchard, corn fields, chickens and cows all in sight from our front door. God has seen fit to place us in the growing suburbs, but most of our county is rich farmland. Today was the kid's first exposure to picking berries. They did great and worked together to pick ten pounds of berries total.




"Look, mom, we caught some berries!"


There was some eager tree climbers for picking these gorgeous blue plums.


We packed a lunch and ate it there on the orchard's porch store front. We loved the apple cider slushies. No one had much of an appetite due to the number of berries consumed in the field. When they were started to get tired and hot I told them to go ahead and try a berry or two. That certainly motivated the older ones to pick as many as they could. Little John, however, just parked himself in the grass and began devouring whatever was in his bucket.


I wouldn't trade my job for any in the world.

When we arrived home the little ones were overdue for a nap and we were able to fit in some uninterrupted school time. We also washed berries and made this delicious treat for Daddy. The other berries are now packed away in the freezer for the winter months when our hearts will be warmed with memories of today.

11 comments:

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

WHERE was this place?????

Monica said...

We went to http://www.andersonorchards.com/

Tisha Alexander said...

I was getting ready to ask the same thing. I know what we are doing next week!! You are SO good Monica. :)

Missy @ finding bright spots said...

That dish looks delicious! You have to share the recipe!!

We love Anderon Orchards!

Andrea said...

And the recipe is posted where???!!! You're going to post the pic, make us drool, and then not share? *snortchucklesnort*

My mom used to take us strawberry picking but I never liked it. I was rather spoiled by my parents and didn't learn the benefits of hard work (which is what the berry picking was to me)! Now that I have a different perspective, I hope that God will give me these beautiful opportunities with my kids too. You all look like you had a wonderful day together!
Andrea

Mr. Bird said...

Click on the name of the dish: Raspberry Almond Coffeecake.
It was wonderful. There were many mmmmms around the table!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

What a great day! Looks like such fun. We are going to try apple picking in a few weeks...we'll see how it goes.

mindi said...

That is beautiful - and I'm going to have to take the kids there now!! What a lovely day with your family :D

Monica said...

What a great day of memories you made:0) I can't wait to try that recipe, we have been baking more lately. A few fall like days last week inspired us to cook a little more!

Heather L. said...

I'm so glad you guys went! it looks like you had a wonderful time too! I just love getting out into the countryside!

Unknown said...

Oh yummy, those raspberries look good! We don't have any farms like that around here. We can go blueberry pickin' but not raspberry picking. I love raspberries! Looks like ya'll had a great time.