Strawberry Shortcake Memories

I had strawberry shortcake on my mind when I stopped by our local farm market after church on Sunday. Fresh picked, home-grown strawberries - I just had to check them out! I picked up a quart of berries and brought them to the counter. Even though strawberry season is almost over, there was a moment of sticker shock when I heard Mrs. Farmer say, $5.00 please. A picture of the "you pick it" farm flashed through my head but the extra gas there and back would have wiped out any savings.

All this brings back some favorite memories of the time our family went to a "you pick" farm near our then home. Daisy K. was about 7 years old and Daisy J. was almost 3. We got to the farm on a beautiful late May or early June afternoon and picked up our quart baskets. In those days they were made of lightweight wood and pretty sturdy. Their Dad and I each took a row and the children, after finding nice red, ripe berries would put them in their baskets. We worked along pretty well for awhile. Daisy K. was pretty efficient for 7 and really tried not to eat too many while she worked. (I know there will be some disagreement here about what really went on!) The sun was warm but not too hot - a nice day for berry picking. Mr. S. filled one basket quickly and put it in the space between the rows to save time instead of walking it to the wooden carrying tray at the end of the row.

Meanwhile, Daisy J. was having a ball going back and forth between the rows. Picking a berry now and then but mostly just having a good time finding them. Suddenly I heard a quiet, "watch out!" and I looked up to see a small, sneakered foot planted squarely inside the full quart of strawberries! We all started laughing at how perfectly Daisy J's foot fit inside the quart basket. Mr. S. just shook his head and started refilling it. We ended the afternoon with more than enough berries to eat and share and it is one very special memory I have of strawberry time.