Blueberry picking with my favorite sister.

Picking blueberries [Clean.]



Picking blueberries [Clean.]


Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]


Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]


Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]


Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

Picking blueberries [Clean.]

My very favorite sister came to visit this weekend. (Okay, okay. You're right. She's also my only sister. No need to nitpick.)

She drove up from Milwaukee and soon after she arrived we were on the road again, headed an hour and a half away to pick blueberries.

This is what we do together, my sister and I. We talk about our dogs, the kids, and our mom and dad. We talk about crafting and we make stuff. We talk about dreams and manifesting.

(See what I mean? She really is my favorite sister.)

And then we forage, we harvest, and we put food by.

Yes, for all of our city mouse – country mouse differences, the growing-or-finding-then-preserving-amazing-food gene is one that we share. And with passion.

We picked berries for a couple of hours and hauled home an impressive ten pounds each, with the kids adding a couple pounds to the mix themselves.

(And yes, if you must know, I did buy more. Not as crazy pants style as I went with the peaches, but still a few extra pounds. Or so. Ahem.)

It was fabulous picking, a gorgeous view, and the best possible company. 

A delicious day.

And then we drove back to our farm to relax for the evening and plot what we would do with all those berries in the morning.

And what did we do with them?

Oh. My.

So many marvelous things.

Blueberry-buttermilk ice cream. (Scream!)

Blueberry-ginger jam. (Classic.)

Blueberry-lemon balm jam. (Sublime.)

And blueberry-basil jam. (Yowza.)

So. Who wants recipes?

Because my sister and I – we also both love to share.

Love,
Rachel

P.S. Some notes about our shoes above, in case you're in the market for some new favorites. Both pairs shown are ethcially made in the US by small family companies. Lupine's (hand-me-downs from Sage) are Soft Star Shoes and mine are from the Aurora Shoe Company.

These two brands are crafted to last, foot healthy, and sweat-shop free. They feel-good in every possible way. Now you know!

 

16 thoughts on “Blueberry picking with my favorite sister.”

  1. Mikaela says:
    Reply

    Yes, please! Although I can hardly bear to cook those beautiful berries down–I usually just eat them or freeze them for baking/smoothies. But those jams sound delicious…

  2. Shell ~ says:
    Reply

    “So. Who wants recipes?”

    How many ways can one say,…….me, moi, ME, moi, aussi. Moi, s’il vous plait ?
    “Oh, yes, if you please’m”, as Mrs. Tiggy Winkle would say.

    A terrific children’s book is: Counting our way to Maine, by Maggie Smith.
    Blueberries on babies, in pies, Dad baking 16 blueberry pies, great kitchen drawing, just yum. I even tried to cut & paste a picture of the book in the comments. But,hmmmmmmm,that doesn’t work in computer-land.
    ha ! silly me.
    Many blueberry moons ago, I climbed the same hill of Blue Hill, Maine where Robert McCloskey drew the bears and the little girl eating blueberries.
    ~ magical ~
    Thank you for the loVely photos.
    Best,
    Shell ~

  3. Rachel Wolf says:
    Reply

    So good. It was all I could do not to make a “kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk” reference in this post. Thanks for bringing it around. (And I’ll check out your other book suggestion, too. Thanks!)

  4. Rachel Wolf says:
    Reply

    The lion’s share went into the freezer for smoothies. They’re so practical, and are real food without extra sugar. But jam? And ice cream? I simply couldn’t resist.

  7. Angie says:
    Reply

    SO fun!!! I love blueberries, and I would love if Jen and I could pick our own, mmmm. Fresh fruits are so, so delicious. 😀 What a fabulously fun day, too!

  10. smcdath@yahoo.com says:
    Reply

    Love your post, as always. But! the best thing is that you just showed me where my new shoes are!!! Thanks, Racheal.

    Sandy

  16. Bourbon Girl says:
    Reply

    So, firstly, those blueberries look delicious. We never got to the blueberry farm this year, which is sad because from what I hear, they were just falling off the bushes, they were so abundant. But, blueberry season was while my husband was getting ready to deploy, and we were racing around crazily. It happens.

    Secondly, I’ve been wanting to try out those shoes for a couple years now. I think I’ll get myself some for Christmas from my husband. AKA, tell my husband that’s what I want for Christmas.

    Thirdly, I too have a sister who’s not only my favorite because she’s my only.

    http://www.freedomloversacademy.com/2012/06/to-my-favorite-sister.html

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