.: We enjoyed creating raspberry lemonade at the close of our time gathering fresh berries! :.
Each new season always manages to convince me that it's my favorite. Happily this Summer is no different. I am amazed daily by the sweet gifts Summer offers to us through the garden and through her wild natural splendor.
As the sun begins to fade and the air cools, we take a walk to where raspberry-colored jewels reveal themselves to us and we feast on these treasured treats as if we are little bears foraging in the wild!
Today with baskets in hand we picked some newly-plump berries that later refreshed us in lemonade!
.: The youngest one with raspberry stained lips and hands :.
Whether its gathering strawberries, blueberries, and now raspberries, my little one savors each bite. As you can see with his berry-stained lips and fingertips, he is enjoying many that will never see the inside of his gathering basket!
.: Three small sets of hands gathering raspberries together on this summer's day! :.
I appreciate process. Today the process was enjoying a natural treasure hunt! Three small sets of hands excitedly gather up these fairy-sized treats! "Oh, look over here I found so many!" Excitement fills the air as these little ones focus on pushing aside green leaves to reveal these tender berries that will settle into gathering baskets and bellies!
.: Seeking and gathering the fullest raspberry jewels! :.
As we harvest together time slows just a bit. We work together to fill each basket, realizing that many hands working together brings this enjoyable task closer to completion.
Later we will sit in the green grass to enjoy the fruits of our labors and decide what else these delicious berries will accompany while we create in the kitchen!
.: Many raspberries sharing themselves and many more hiding behind lush green leaves!:.
Each little raspberry proves more sweet than the last! I appreciate sitting back for moments to take in each child's careful attention, anticipation, and excitement over each new berry that is discovered.
The precious conversations that ensue over the greenery of the raspberry bushes are so beautiful.
I dream of my children remembering these summer days with their siblings far into the future.
.: Will this one make it into my gathering basket? :.
.: Each berry falls effortlessly into each hand :.
As I place additional raspberries into each child's basket, I can clearly see there is more than enough to go around for sampling as well as for berry laden cereal in the morning.
My hopes for these berries are to include them into a special recipe for raspberry infused lemonade!
.: While the children enjoyed gathering berries, I enjoyed gathering wildflowers! :.
.: Our hands created bowls for these raspberries while we ate them in the grass! :.
We give thanks for these treasures and enjoy a rich feast as our hands are full with the freshness of summer! Each raspberry holds the energy of the sun and rain and of the wildflower fields surrounding it.
.: A refreshing drink of raspberry lemonade sits happily in front of a freshly gathered bouquet! :.
After the harvest we chilled some glasses and looked forward to the natural flavors of Raspberry lemonade with a sprig of garden mint. Process never tasted so good!
{To create your own Raspberry Lemonade!}
.: Pour one cup of fresh lemon juice into a pitcher. Stir in 3/4 of a cup of honey until dissolved.
.: Using a spoon, mash 1 cup fresh raspberries into a small bowl. Press this mixture through a fine strainer into the pitcher.
.: Complete by adding water to taste.
.: We enjoyed adding a fresh mint leave and a single fresh raspberry into our glass to add a burst of flavor at the end of the last sip!
