Strawberry Picking

We have been so busy these past 2 weeks that I haven't even had time journal!

We went strawberry picking at the beginning of last week on a nice overcast morning and came home with 44 pounds of strawberries that I dried, froze, made regular(cooked) jam and freezer jam with.  I was hoping to head out once more for another 40 pounds or so but I think the season is coming to a close.  Cherries should be ready shortly!  Those and peaches are my most favorite fresh fruit!

Besides multiple appointments (chiropractor, midwife, insurance, hair cuts), we have been working outside trying to finish up those projects!!  Phil has been amazing (although, he did admit this kind of pacing and intensity is better left to "younger" men LOL).  He has pick axed and sawsalled all the sunken metal barriers out that we put up to contain the bamboo and cut out/rototilled the roots.  (I was told we are never having bamboo again!!).  He has organized his outside storage area, worked on setting up watering (we are doing soaker hoses set up as stations), worked on the retaining wall, wheelbarrowed out loads of fill dirt from the hillside, and hauled mulch. Today's goal is going to keep on with the top layer of the hillside and move the ducks to their new home.  There isn't a great deal that I can do.  I work a little, rest a little, watch the children a little, and get meals on the table.  I did manage to reweed the entire back yard - beds and pathways and help Phil spread a new layer of mulch.  The weeds are the worst we have had!  Even mulching isn't keeping them down.  The rest of the garden beds need to be redone as well.

We are a week behind my planned schedule and Phil starts summer school week after next (same week of my due date).  If we can completely finish up the outside and I can get school planned for than we may have to start our house cleaning projects in small afternoon chunks after the baby comes.  As the weather has gotten hotter, we are glad to be moving on to the inside projects soon.


My pickers.  Sawyer and Jubilee were so helpful this year!  I was impressed not only with how much they picked but with the quality of berries that they chose.  

I can think of easier things than trying to pick strawberries 8 months pregnant with a 17 month old on my lap.

I am bemoaning that my entire quart of strawberries was dumped and covered with dirt!  B is sitting up on my knee...looking innocent!



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