The last time I picked strawberries was in 1984, at the end of my 7th grade year. I wanted to earn some money so I signed up to pick Hood Strawberries on Sauvie Island. It was hard work, I only lasted a week bending over rows and rows of strawberry plants.
After that week of picking I said I would never do it again. I would rather pay a bit more and buy them picked.
I kept that promise till a month ago when I decided to not only pick strawberries, but to take the boys. This time I was much older with tired knees and two cuties going in different directions.
A friend let me know of a local strawberry patch that had yummy berries. Just after breakfast we got dressed to pick berries with our friends. It was a lovely spring morning with sunshine, blue sky and a slight breeze.
Keeping the boys occupied while picking wasn't too hard. They made discoveries on their own that kept them busy. Cutie O just ate the berries off the vines instead of putting them in the bucket. And Cutie E was more interested in dumping the full bucket of picked berries on to the ground or playing with the field flag markers.
As the morning wore on their attention to the field became more about riding the green tractor again. That's when I knew it was time to go.
How do you get 2 buckets with 23 pounds of berries and two little boys from the field to the tractor, up the stairs and seated for our ride. GREAT QUESTION.
ANSWER: Cutie O on my left hip, carrying one bucket in my left hand while holding Cutie E's hand and bucket with my right hand. I'm sure I looked like a chaotic mess.
By the time we got to the cash register I didn't have any strength in my arms or hands to hold the boys. That is when this Gammy is grateful for the love of rocks. The boys found fun in playing with all the rocks in the shaded area near the register.
As soon as we got home we started washing and capping the berries for jam. Both of the boys mashed, stirred and held jars as Gammy filled them with freezer jam. The kitchen filled with smells of strawberry jam and homemade bread to go with dinner.
We had a wonderful morning at the strawberry patch but our afternoon naps were a great end to a busy morning in the fields.
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