.: My eldest son carrying one of the baskets of strawberries with pride! :.
As we walked across a sea of greens that moved along with the wind we found ourselves surrounded by lush green fields that were dotted with sweet red strawberries. With stormy gray skies above and promises of sun peeking through, the subtle winds rushed through our hair, providing an added element to our time together that would be spent gathering sun-kissed berries into our gathering baskets.
.: My little one mesmerized by the process of harvesting these sweet berries! :.
The winds on this day also provided us with the instant scent of strawberries. It was a delight that came rushing up all around us, making us pause with deep breaths and eyes closed for sweet moments of joy in the wide open expanse of strawberry fields.
.: Enjoying her time in the field surrounded by strawberries! :.
I love to see an empty basket become full by the work of many hands working in unison. As I watched my family gather these berries time seemed to slow down for these moments. Each child sat in earnest concentration seeking these red gems that hid themselves among the leaves and straw.
Fresh foods from local farms and from our own backyards is like eating for the very first time. There is no comparison to the melt in your mouth textures, flavors and freshness of gathering your own local foods.
.: One by one we fill our baskets to the brim with ripe strawberries! :.
Each berry has its own distinct taste, each one tasting different from the last. Overall there is a ripe perfume of flavor infused with rain and sun. When our landscape is covered in snow so many months from now, I look forward to opening a jar of preserves or opening a bag from the freezer in hopes of taking in this day all over again.
.: On the farm, a favorite place for our family to be! :.
.: A handfull of the largest berries he could find! :.
I enjoyed watching my husband gathering berries and sharing them with each of us while pointing out spots along the fields that were full with these treasures. As he moved along the rows my children moved right behind him with eyes cast upon the rows in search of berries. In other moments there was excitement over finding "Double strawberries" and " Giant strawberries" which led to hurdling over rows of berries in excitement of sharing these recent finds.
.: All together we run, jump and gather to a new row of strawberries! :.
As the skies swirled overhead a few moments of light rain fell over us. An earthy scent of rain mixed with the soil arose and entered our memories of this time together gathering berries at the farm. Red-stained fingertips and red lips couldn't resist tasting the multitude of our finds. We knew our time gathering was through when we sat together in the straw admiring our full baskets.
.: "I'm all done Mama" Time to rest and eat a few berries! :.
As we drove through winding back country roads on our travels back home, the children were lulled gently to sleep. The car was full with the fresh ripe scent of strawberries I can only imagine as I dreamed of all that I would create with these berries. My sleeping children also were dreaming of strawberries.
.: Daddy carries all of the baskets while we walk together back to the farm stand :.
