Strawberry Picking

After spending this morning at an auction, I decided to take the boys strawberry picking at a farm down the road from us.

With all the rain we've had lately, the fields have been really wet and picking conditions haven't been ideal.  But as the season is quickly coming to a close, I put their rain boots on and out we went.

The berries were a little sparse from being picked over, but the few quarts I could get were well worth the effort. Plump strawberries, perfectly sun-kissed and sweet, are the perfect reward.

Though the boys were no help with the actual picking, they kept themselves entertained by climbing fruit trees and playing in the grass (and eating it).

He was so content when I finally let him out of the buggy.

Sweet Cherries are also in full swing! The trees are just exploding with bright red fruit. Last year, unseasonably warm weather and then a hard frost wiped out most of our cherry crops. So this is a welcomed sight.

I wasn't ambitious enough to pick any cherries, though it would have been much easier. I just picked up a quart on my way home (as well as a flat of already picked berries!).

I came home and spent the evening hulling berries and making jam. My 12 little jars of sweet, strawberry jam are under a towel on my counter. Every now and then I hear a pop. One will most definitely be opened with breakfast tomorrow.

And with that, canning season begins.

To Market

On Saturday morning the boys and I went to the market. Our town has a market, however at this time of year it's still quite small. In the city, the St. Catharine's Farmer's Market is quite decent. 

They have a few produce vendors (some of whom are actually right down the road from our home), a flower man, a few different types of cuisine, gourmet coffee, cupcakes, cheese and cured meats, homemade ice cream and of course fresh breads and pastry.

One of my favorite bakeries is De La Terre in Vineland. Originally they were right down town here. I managed to resist the sticky buns and beautiful pain aux chocolat, but I did take home a fresh baguette.

I also picked up a quart of the first local strawberries! I'm so looking forward to strawberry season, however it's still a bit early. Pick-your-own will start in two weeks and that means I need to organize my jars for making jam.

As expected, the cut peonies were finally available. I brought home enough to fill each room of the house.

There are few other flowers that I love as much as these.

I also love a fresh baguette, especially when it's accompanied by delicious cheese. The French are clearly onto something!

And who doesn't love fresh picked strawberries?

A simple snack of a few berries, cheese and some fresh bread with oil and balsamic vinegar. Delicious.

The peonies didn't stay tight for long. By the end of the weekend most of them were unfurled and in full bloom.

Each room is filled with their beautiful scent!