"It happens every time, they all become blueberries."
Quote from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
We might become blueberries around here if I keep picking them. Thirteen pounds last week. Ten pounds this week. Maybe I’ll pick more next week?
After my single strawberry picking trip in May, I was determined not to miss blueberry season this summer. Clearly I haven’t if I’ve picked twenty-three pounds of blueberries in the last ten days.
The drive out to the local farm to pick the blueberries is a little long but it’s totally worth it in the end. They only charge $1.95 per pound for pick-your-own blueberries…think about how cheap this is compared to grocery store prices for a pint or quart of them.
I rather enjoyed the actual blueberry picking. I went by myself both times, armed with my iPod full of favorite songs. It was relaxing and a little therapeutic to be outside alone for an afternoon filling up my bucket with berries. On the first trip last week, I came to the (very wonderful) realization that I like the person I am now way, way, way more than the person I was five years ago. The me of five years ago sucked. I’m glad I’ve made all the changes I have and am happy with who I’ve become. Need some thinking time? Go pick some blueberries.
If you do go out for blueberries, make sure to slather on the sunscreen. And the insect repellent…I forgot the bug spray the first time and ended up with chiggers up and down my legs.
A lot of the berries were eaten by the handful out of the fridge. Some were given to a coworker so that she could bake a cake for her family. Five and a half quarts were put in the freezer for future baking purposes. Some of them were made into blueberry preserves.
I’m already dreaming up a cake with the preserves as a filling layer. I’m thinking about a lemon cake but I haven’t come up with a frosting flavor yet. Give me some time.
I also baked a pie. I lifted the star motif straight from Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook.
Today I made a bunch of blueberry peach crisps. If the boyfriend hasn’t eaten all of the fresh blueberries by Sunday, I’ll probably make muffins or something of that sort. And maybe I’ll go back out for more of them next week…it’s hard to resist at $1.95 a pound…the work to pick them is irrelevant.
Sunday, 27. July 2008 8:19
Mmm…those blueberries (and all the things you’ve made with them), look delicious!
Sunday, 27. July 2008 9:30
beautiful, gorgeous photography
Sunday, 27. July 2008 11:17
Beautiful stuff; the colours in the first photo look directly out of Mr. Wonka’s factory. You’ve definitely inspired me to not only bake with some blueberries this week, but also seek out some pick-your-own possibilities!
Sunday, 27. July 2008 23:26
What a trip! I just posted my latest food rant and I used Willy Wonka’s quote too, although it is a bit different said by Johnny Depp. I too am obsessed with blueberries right now. How could we not! I have posted a recipe for a savory Blueberry Chicken Salad, with a blueberry vinaigrette. Yum. http://danazia.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the delish post! Can’t wait to try it!
Dana Zia
Monday, 28. July 2008 3:23
The first picture is really nice!
Tuesday, 5. August 2008 8:04
One of the most beautiful pies I have ever seen. I’ll be trying this – I love blueberries!