Strawberry Fields 2008
For the second straight year, Amy and the boys picked
strawberries on Cave's Farm in Dobson, NC. They are getting to be old
hands at this and came home with a flat divided into three parts. Both
Jackson and Ben had to make sure that they could tell which berries were their's.
So far they've had bowls of berries for dessert and breakfast.
Strawberry Fields 2007
Strawberry Fields 2006
On
our way out of the mountains following a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we
passed a strawberry field in Ararat, Virginia with a big U Pick sign. I
stopped to see when they were open during the week so that Amy and her friend
Timmesa could return later, but after the man said that we could pick some then
if we wanted to, it was hard to hold the kids back. We were off on a berry
picking adventure. It was late in the day and the fields had already
been picked over, but we still found more than enough strawberries to take home.
This was my first year picking strawberries with the family, but it was Jackson's
fourth. And like a seasoned vet, he filled his bucket the fastest and had
some of the best berries too. Ben would pick a berry, take a bite,
then sling the rest over his shoulder saying "Here ya go bunny rabbits."
Jackson waited until his bucket was full, then sat down with his berries and
started eating. The people at this farm were extremely friendly.. Actually, it turned out that they were family.
They told Ben not to come back from the field until his face was stained red and
proclaimed that "ah, they can't hurt nothing out here." When we
were done, Ben sat on the man's knee and told him that he would stay. I
guess the way to Ben's heart is an unlimited supply of strawberries. We
spent 3 1/2 dollars at the grocery store on the way to our picnic for a tiny
container of strawberries. At the strawberry field we spent exactly twice
as much for at least two gallons of berries. They didn't even count the
two buckets the boys picked and wouldn't let me pay any extra for the help we
got in picking them. AND the berries were sooo much better than the ones
at the store. I only ate a few in the field and they were absolutely
fantastic. We made strawberry milkshakes once we got home,
had strawberry shortcake for breakfast the next morning and poundcake with
strawberries the next night. Ben has said that he wants to go back to the "Strawberry
Pay Place", which is the barn where we paid for the berries, and go "in their
backyard", which would be the strawberry field.
Strawberry Fields 2005
Amy
starts
looking forward to strawberry season at the very first hint of Spring.
Taking the kids to the strawberry fields has become a wonderful tradition.
But when the wonderful strawberry patch at the edge of
town disappeared,
Amy had to go looking for a new field. We heard about a strawberry field on the other side of Dobson,
plus it was featured in the local newspaper, so Amy, Timmesa, Jackson,
Samuel, and Benjamin took off at eight this morning in search of a new fun place
to pick their berries. They found strawberries, but the farm was more
business oriented and not as geared toward 'pick-your-own". The berries
were still delicious though.
Strawberry Fields 2004
Amy,
Timmesa, Jackson, Samuel, and Benjamin once again spent a May morning in the
strawberry fields. The only difference this year is that Benjamin rode on
the outside instead of the inside of Mommy's tummy (and actually slept through
most of it). Picking strawberries
with Timmesa and the kids has become one of Amy's favorite springtime rituals.
I stopped by just as they were loading up and got to see two very red faced and
tired little boys.
Strawberry Fields 2003
Amy, Timmesa, Jackson, and Samuel all spent a May morning in the strawberry fields. (A very impressive thing for Amy to do since she was 9 months pregnant at the time). I wish I could have been there, it looks like they had a great time. I don't know how many strawberries were eaten in the fields, but I know lots came home. We had strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake, miniature strawberry shortcakes... and they were all delicious.
