Friday, July 27, 2012

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...

14 comments:

Julia said...

Those jam jars looks berry nice.
I haven't picked berries in a long time and since I don't need much, I just buy a jar now and then at the grocery store. I know that homemade is much nicer though.

JB

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

I usually pick my berries off the shelf! LOL!!! My blues are delivered by my neighbor & the hubby picks the raspberries! I'm looking forward to your cake recipe!

Farm Girl said...

I am a slob, I get covered the kitchen gets covered you name it. I am a good cleaner because I have to bee. Your jam is wonderful. We don't have raspberry farms around here. That would be nice, I have learned as well how short the shelf life it on raspberries. I guess that is why I am like blueberries the most. I bet though, Maine blueberries are the best.

Melody said...

Mmmmmm, blueberry cake sounds yummy, let me know when it's out of the oven~ I'll be right up!
Summer in New England is a weather roller coaster, lots of ups and downs and over before you know it!

annie said...

ours have long gone, the birds devoured the blueberries while still green. so none for us this year. would love the recipe, anyway. head to toe, not a clean place in sight!

Holly Hills Primitives said...

Yum! What a great mission to accomplish! Enjoy your weekend, Dawn

Larkrise garden girl said...

What a nice picture you paint of Maine. What beautiful pictures of your jam.Good Job!

Freckled Hen said...

Your jars look so pretty...picking berries has been one of the things I missed most living while moving around. There's nothing to compare to the quiet of picking berries on a gray New England summer morning. Thanks for the tip about early ripe berries, I must go soon!

summersundays-jw said...

They told me at farmer's mkt. this morning that this is probably the last week for blueberries. It's been an abundant year so I have lots in the freezer. Raspberries were here for a very short time but delicious. Wish I were in Maine today....extremely hot in MO. Happy weekend! Jan

Pondside said...

All that berry goodness - you'll enjoy it in the dead of winter!
I'm a messy picker. I didn't know that there was any other kind.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Julie ~
Those raspberries look so good! I'm sure the jam will taste mighty good this winter!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Primitive Stars said...

Hello Julie, yummy yummy in my tummy!!!! oh my, the berries look so good and tasty, summer indeed. Sure would love to taste those Maine blueberries one day, bet they are soooooo tasty. Ontario grow some good blueberries to, they sell baskets along side the roads, oh so good. Enjoy, Blessings Francine.

Terry and Linda said...

Oh Yummm.. I'm in the process of putting away food for the winter also. Yours jars look beautiful!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

MTWaggin said...

Yum! My raspberries are about done and I read that the huckleberries are now ripe (as long as you are okay fighting the bears for em).