Raspberries

 

  We went to the raspberry fields on sunday after church.  Our weekends have been full so it was now or never.  We rushed off to the early service so we could go picking after.  It ended up being the perfect day to do it as it was very cool and overcast in the morning.  We have always picked berries when it is really hot which is why Mike was never a fan.  However, as we left the fields today he told me how much fun he had.

 

  The kids were all super helpful.  Hannah enjoyed herself a lot and was encouraging Calvin along.  By the end, she was looking a bit sick in the face.  She told me she was "full on raspberries."  They certainly did their share of taste testing.

 

Keeping his eyes on the prize.

 

  Joel liked picking them and putting them on his fingers.  He also liked squishing the ones in the box.  I was happy that he was happy.

 

Ombre.  Au natural.

It was hard to leave when there were just so many everywhere.

16 lbs. later we finally called it quits.

We will save a portion for snacking.

 

  That evening we made lots of jam!  19 pints to be exact.  We made two kinds, a lower sugar version and the normal recipe which has so much sugar it is just wrong.  We love having homemade jam all year round.  We use it for pancakes, pb&j, a plain yogurt sweetener, on scones and bisuits sunday morning, and on linzer cookies come Valentine's day.  Raspberry is our family favorite for sure!

 

  Also made on sunday evening was a raspberry pie.  I have never made this pie before, but let's just say it was amazing!  It was really juicy and not the most beautiful thing, but better than gummy!  Have you ever eaten a whole pie with one other person over the course of two days?  Yeah, that happened.  If I ever need to get on Mike's sweet side I know just the thing.  He has proclaimed this to be his absolute favorite pie.

 

  We want to go back to pick more, but unfortunately don't think we'll be able to.  For now, we'll enjoy the bounty we have!