It feels great to be, once again, in the fields picking. we treasure this opportunity to revel in the fruits of our local farmer's labor, to love what they do and appreciate all the sweetness of their hard work. Picking berries has been one of my greatest loves since childhood. And, by the smile on my big boy's face and his repeated declarations "this has been a great day, mama" accompanied by a happy lightness of foot, I am certain my boys share this love of picking, memories in the making, of the sweetest kind at that.
These berries (picked with much gratitude at Rutiz Family Farm) fed us in more ways than one by: bringing back memories, creating new memories, reminding us that we are once again arriving at berry picking time - providing a palpable place in the rhythm of life, creating a place for friends to unexpectedly gather, for sweetness and celebration, for letting me see that my oldest is still the most determined picker amongst us and my youngest still lost in the goodness going down the gullet!
As for myself, I am looking forward to the first preserving of the year, with the next batch that is!
