Strawberry fields

I'm the proud owner of about 20 pounds of handpicked strawberries as of this morning. We braved the 90 degree heat wave and went on our first berry picking adventure ever. Next time I'll pick a cooler day following a dry spell. Standing ankle-deep in mud and straw was not exactly what I had envisioned for this trip but I'm convinced the effort will pay off. I'm spending this afternoon scouring cookbooks and web sites for the perfect pie recipe and other ideas to ensure that this bounty does not go to waste. I'd love suggestions!

Summer is here

The weather is just too unreliable to determine the seasons around here so we have to look for other markers. Today I realized it must be summer because the local Farmer's Market opened this afternoon. Perfect timing compared to my very low stock of produce in the house and a day the peanut chose to skip her nap. Is it the blue moon, too?! 

Last year we had to navigate the market with a stroller. Today I decided to chance it by letting her run around on her own. Generally positive results but eventually realized we were somehow repeatedly running into the same golden retriever. Guess the peanut was more interested in puppies than produce. 

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Now I'm off to wash up some of the sweetest strawberries. Summer, heaven, whichever.