A picking we will go...

June isn't June until we have visited the strawberry patch!  This year, we took a trip after Ella's birthday party (Sat., June 11th).  We arrived about 5pm and realized the timing was ideal.  The blazing sun was no longer intense.  The temps were ideal and the kids were eager to fill our baskets!  


We picked for about 30 minutes, and then had to cut the trip short.... a storm was approaching - as we could see in the distance!  It didn't look pretty.  So, we gathered our approx. 15 pounds worth of berries, our disappointed pickers (they had high hopes of filling their baskets to the brim) and headed home.  Sure enough, the clouds let loose as we were on our way home.  
(It's an unnerving feeling to be driving through a heavy storm and realize you had not anticipated this and have left all the windows at home wide open!)    


We arrived home and learned that somehow, someone was watching over our house.... no rain blew in any of the open windows.  How this happened, I am uncertain.  We were fortunate!


Sunday morning, we awoke early and set out to complete what we didn't get to finish they day before.  If we were going to make enough jam to last an entire year, as well as store for gifts during the holidays, we needed more berries!  


First we hit the wholesale club for two 10 lb. sacks of sugar.  Yes, we aware sugar is not the best for you... but we will take it over feeding our kiddos high fructose corn syrup any day!  After we replenished our sugar supply.... off to the berry patch we went.  The owners were excited to see us again - as the kids are always full of smiles.  This time around, there was a chill to the air - only in the low 60's today.  Partner that with the dampness left from the storm and well... it made for quick picking as their was no heat to slow our pace.   We left with about 30 lbs. this time and 3 children with bellies full!  SUCCESS!


Mike and I worked to hull the oodles of berries while the kids took naps and then as I finished hulling (with the help of Lexi), Mike began to sterilize jars.



The the jam making began!  


43 jars later, we are stocked for the year with fresh, homemade strawberry jam!