Walking far along the unpaved road into the fields of strawberries, the three of us take turns rolling the bouncy red wagon behind us. The red wagon wobbles unsteadily while the wheels bicker and squeak, protesting the dirt beneath them. We can hardly hear ourselves speak during such a racket so we pause in brief moments of rest to share our observations and memories.
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| The noisy Red Wagon holding our juicy treasures! |
While Susie and I scour one field, Jeff wanders to another and finds a kid-sized, painted wooden-plank replica of a scarecrow complete with cardboard shotgun. This field seems untouched and holds rounder and more robust strawberries. We pick here. The strawberries we snap off the plants make crisp popping sounds if done just so. Sugary scents are inhaled as we hold red berries up to our noses. "Smells sweeter than candy," we chime.
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| Fresh out of the field, some U-pick Strawberries from Sauvie's Island |
This year we go earlier in the season. Our picking experience is greatly different than
last year. There are more strawberries, and
bigger ones too! We are pickier about what we decide to pluck.
Small waves of sunshine coupled with light breezes and cloud cover make for ideal weather. We have a fun afternoon picking strawberries.
This summer I am bound to make strawberry ice cream and strawberry-chocolate-chip pancakes. We have been known to plop a strawberry or two in a glass of sparkling (or white) wine for a refreshing weekend treat. And of course, we will be adding them to our spinach (green) smoothies!
Other ideas of what to make with our U-pick strawberries are welcome! :0)
