Strawberries in New England

I've decided it's time to stop with the garden envy from all the Blotanical posts. I read about people picking tomatoes and potatoes, harvesting beans and peas, visiting beautiful gardens and posting all these gorgeous pictures. I feel left behind and as if I will never catch up. But no more...

I live in a beautiful part of the world, which while cold much of the time, does have breathtaking seasons. And today is one of those beautiful June days when you wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Sunny, temps in the 70's, a slight breeze and the strawberries in full, lush bloom.

I don't grow strawberries myself, but like to pick them at a local farm the next town over. Indian Head Farm (www.Indianheadfarm.com) is a small, family farm that is quiet and peaceful when picking in comparison to the larger commercial operation down the street from me, which seems to always have lots of screaming children. Not my choice for a relaxing strawberry picking morning.

I had a million other things to do this morning, but the strawberry season is relatively short and decided this was the morning. How many did I pick? Not sure, I filled 2 baskets and came home to make Strawberry Jam. I used about 14 cups for the jam and have about 8 pounds left, so I guess I picked alot!
Here's the jam, the church fair is coming up this Fall and I always make some extra for that. Only 2 or 3 of us that make jams and jellies anymore, too bad. Easy and fun to make and it is always a big seller. But back to strawberries...

I may make more jam, but I wanted plenty left to snack on and eat fresh. Is there anything as wonderful as a fresh, juicy strawberry? Last night DH (on good days Dear Husband, on other days something not so nice) and I enjoyed some leftover lemon balm infused panna cotta I had made for my herbal apprentice class Sunday with strawberries on top. Ah, strawberries and cream, what a heavenly combination.

So I am feeling better, and so what if the garden isn't all planted yet, the weeds are growing, and I'm just harvesting some peas but everything else is a long ways away from harvest, that is just fine. All is as it should be today and I'm content and eating strawberries.