IT'S BERRY SEASON~

How quickly the weather can change... a storm blows in...the hot humid air quickly replaced by cool, dry air...it was to be short lived, the weather in Maine is known for it's unpredictability however, the clear skies remained long enough for me to enjoy the berry fields... I was informed that the berries...raspberry and blueberry... were ripening 2 1/2 weeks ahead of schedule. Can there be anything more satisfying than sweet raspberry jam on a cold winter's day? Slathered on warm homemade toast or topped on old fashioned vanilla ice cream, the taste transports you back to the fine summer's day when they were picked. Last year I learned a valuable lesson when it comes to raspberries, their shelf life is short. I made a batch of jam, stored the remainder of the raspberries in the fridge, when I returned to make another batch the berries had begun to mold. I did not dare use them, but needless to say my girls/chickens had a very expensive treat, and I learned a very expensive lesson...

There were just two of us picking in the raspberry field, the picking was slim to say the least, but the berries' flavor was so sweet. The sun began to warm us and the berries' fragrance soon filled the summer air.

Mission accomplished...

The blueberries on the other hand were big, juicy and plentiful...their branches were weighted to the ground...it took very little time to top off a box. Typically I pick high bush berries for jam and savor the low bush wild blueberries, which Maine is known for, for my baking...

again, mission accomplished...In my next post I'll share an old Maine blueberry cake recipe, a simple recipe, but oh so yummy and one that goes well with lobster and corn on the cob. I do have to ask, are you a clean berry picker or are you like me, head to toe in berry juice? I have learned from experience to don my old jeans and tee shirt...and bring a towel to sit on, just in case! Goodnight...