Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Strawberries and a Safety Fair-Weekend with the Girls!

I have been wanting do do this post for a couple of days now and finally tonight because of a bad cold and pure tiredness, I took the time to do it. Coming home from work, I had planned on watering, staring to lay down newspapers in the garden in anticipation of putting down mulch this weekend and was going to try to get caught up on laundry. Plans can change in the opening of a door. Once inside the house, I simply had to sit down and rest for a while. Blogger cooperated beautifully and loaded the photos in record time, and if you will forgive a quickly written narrative, we have a lift off-err, a post!



The red bearded tongue is blooming and spreading. It always makes me smile to see it's tiny flowers brightening up a shaded spot. This year there are 4 patches of it. Enough to share with Rose!
We had the granddaughetrs this weekend, 5 of them anyway. I have been promising them we would go strawberry picking and this was a perfect Saturday to do it. Sunny and warm, but not too hot and a little breeze to keep the bugs away. None of the girls have ever done this before and were very excited at the prospect of picking one of their favorite fruits. Each was given their own bucket and the nice owner let us have a whole area to ourselves.


The berries were small, but the patch is very neat and had great straw covered paths to sit on so you could really get into the plants.


This one chose to kneel-that would kill my knees!


The 2 youngest ones really got into picking (and eating!).



And don't they look proud of their pickings!? I picked too, but Papa decided to sit on the sidelines and cheer them on. In about an hour we had 12 pounds. Not bad for beginners.


The strawberries were used in a fresh strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake, eating berries and freezer jam. This one loves to help in the kitchen. We made the jam on Sunday afternoon-2 batches. The girls each took some home with them, but I got to keep a couple of containers.

After berry picking we went to a Safety fair put on by a local clinic. It was held at the county fairgrounds and I was very impressed with all the displays and info. Of course you can't have a fair with out face painting. The girls each chose a different design.


Here they are learning how to wash their hand correctly. The instructor put a solution on their hands and took them into a dark room where he used a black lite to show the bacteria on their hands before washing. He told them to count to 20 3 times or sing Happy Birthday 3 times before rinsing. Back into the dark room to see how well they washed. Actually they did very well with only one little area on the oldest showing any bacteria left.


Another stop was making your own first aid kit. The girls colored bags and went down a line where they got band aids, wipes, gauze, tape, etc. I assure you my granddaughters need these kits! :)



There were firetrucks, ambulances, a life flight helicopter, police cars and and even the bomb squad on the grounds for the kids to see. There were booths on poison control, babysitting, animal safety and many more that we didn't get to. But we did make it to the free hot dogs and chips stand!


Of course we did do this slide several times. And it was enjoyed by all! Papa and I were very impressed with this fair and plan on taking the girls again next year. A great deal of time and effort went into to making this a fun learning experience for kids of all ages. A big thank you to those who made it possible and gave of their time.


A couple of roses are in bloom. This one is a Martha Stewart Heritage rose. I have had her for several years now and she always does well. And I am remembering to fertilize them this year.


A no-name miniature peach colored rose that has been with us for a loooong time.


And this is a new one this year. 'First Promise' looks very promising. Of course being pink gives her an edge with me. :)
I promise I am going out to water now. The promised rain of over an inch is staying well to the south of us and I know my plants are thirsty after several days of warm even hot weather. In fact, it was warm enough on Sunday that I finally turned the AC on!
Hope you are enjoying your gardens. I certainly have been enjoying seeing them on your posts. I have been reading a lot of them, but have not had much time to comment. Up at 4:00 AM, to work at 7:00 and bed before 9:00 PM doesn't seem to leave me much time to do do all I want. Forgive me!!
Happy Gardening!

22 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It looks like you had a wonderful weekend with the girls. I can see how much they have grown since the last time you posted pictures of them. They are such a pretty pack of girls. I know you must enjoy their company. The strawberries looked yummy. I am almost encouraged to go pick some myself. I love strawberry freezer jam. I hope you get rested up this weekend.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Great helpers you had for your strawberry picking! Our kids just loved going to pick berries with us. (though they aren't as happy picking peaches!) To have them helping in the kitchen cleaning berries and making jam---super!!

tina said...

What fun! Those strawberries look yummy and the girls sure enjoyed it. Hope you start feeling better soonest!

Rose said...

Lovely photos of all the grands, Beckie! So glad you made it out to pick strawberries this year. I don't think the owner charges for strawberries eaten while picking:) I have been wanting to get out there myself, but just for some fresh ones--I still have jam left from last year! Looks like you had a great weekend. I'm looking forward to those bearded tongues; there's a spot in my garden all ready for them:)

Roses and Lilacs said...

What fun to go strawberry picking. I have a few plants but the cat birds are eating them before they are completely ripe.

Added a beards tongue to my garden this spring, Huskers Red. Looking forward to it blooming.
Marnie

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

What a gorgeous gaggle of girls! It looks like they had a grand time. Mmmmm, strawberry pie--I'll be right over. :-)

Your collection of roses are lovely. I quite understand how hard it is to keep up with everything. I don't have to get up until 5 a.m., but it is hard to have any leisure time on that schedule. Don't feel bad about not having time to leave comments. I think everyone understands...just let us know you are alive and well once in awhile! ;-)

Hugs,
jenny (AKA-Morning Glories in RR)

beckie said...

Lisa, the girls are growing as fast as they weeds in my gardens! The berries, while small had a wonderful taste and did make the best jam. You should try making some. :) BTW-the ferns are putting up new fronds. I am sooo tickled.

Janet, good helpers-all! Hey, peaches is a great idea. I will try to remember to take them when they are ripe.

beckie said...

Tina, Took the day off today to get some extra rest. I think that will help. It was a fun time with the girls.

Rose, that patch is so great. The berries rally had a good taste this year and the girls loved picking and eating them. The bearded tongue should be done blooming soon and I will bring it to you-maybe for some more yarrow??:)

beckie said...

Marnie, that's what my plants are and I have seen some others that have greener stems-would like to plant some of those. You need some netting for your berries. :)

Jenny, that pie did not last long! We should have made 2. And the strawberry shortcake was cleaned up as well. Good thing, otherwise I would have to eat it during the week. These early hours are for the birds aren't they??!

Cheryl said...

Dear beckie....do hope that you are feeling better now...

What a lovely weekend....I felt like I came along with you. Picking strawberries took me back to my Grandfathers, his cottage was next to a farm. We would pick strawberries with him in the summer. I can still smell them......lovely. I love strawberry jam, one of my favourites....

What a lovely fair....such fun for the girls. We have them in our village on a regular basis.....nothing so grand as yours though.....

Beautiful roses....I am enjoying mine..although the rabbits have taken some. They are a huge problem this year, I have lost so many plants this year......

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Ooh, fire trucks, big slides, and strawberries--wish I could have gone, too! Looks like everyone had fun.

Susie said...

I've never been to a pick it yourself strawberry patch. Looks like the girls did great! The safety fair looked neat. What a great idea!

Your roses are so nice. I do like that last one. I hope it does well for you.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I heard on the radio today that this is a great year for strawberries. I may just have to go visit my local you pick farm.

Kathleen said...

You are such a good grandmother. My grandmom used to take me strawberry picking too and I have the best memories from it. My grandfather would tease me and tell the field manager he should weigh me before and after picking because he swore I ate more than I saved. You are really creating some amazing memories for your girls too. The roses are gorgeous. I can't believe anyone has had to turn on AC this year ~ it's been so cool in Colorado, I've even had to turn the heat back on once or twice! Send some heat this way...

Jan said...

Hi Beckie! You are managing very well, I'd say---I just got a comment from you so please don't worry about 'keeping up'. We're all in this together! My ankle is coming along...now that I have Lyme disease I'm taking my med's and expect to be fine in that area, as well. I really enjoyed this post and all the photos of your sweet granddaughters. What fun you must have w/them! I'm glad they have you to give them such needed attention;-) You are really with it, girl--baking up a storm, making jam, etc. Wow, I'm amazed at your energy, what with your work schedule, etc! You have nothing to apologize to the blogging world for...we're all here on and off, just like you! (Granted, some more-so than others, but, you get my point--I hope!!). PS Your roses are to die for!

joey said...

I'm amazed that you get all in with your busy days, Beckie. You are a wonder! These are juicy stawberry days in Michigan but have yet to have the joy of picking them with my grandboys ... you have chosen your precious time wisely ... unlike fleeting time, memories last forever.

Gail said...

Hello Beckie! So glad to read you...your days sound full. Thank you for taking the time to catch us up on your life and your garden (the roses look wonderful). It seems like time flies by in the wink of an eye. What fun to go strawberry picking. They taste so good straight from the garden... Your grand-girls are delightful. I know they are joys in your life! Have a good rest of the weekend. gail

Mountain Mama said...

Your strawberry picking adventure with your beautiful granddaughters must have been wonderful fun. And the yummy treats you made with them are sure a bonus. I picked a bowl of them from my garden tonight and I am eating some as I type.
As I girl, I picked in the fields to earn money for school clothes. It was hot, dirty work but I still remember how excited I was to go during the first week. The excitement didn't last long though. Those hot days really got to me.

Your roses are beautiful. I love the pink ones too.

Anonymous said...

I love your Beardstongue Beckie, it looks similar to the one I have in my garden. I'm hoping to spread it around a bit for maximum blooms next spring. :) Looks like your granddaughters had a great day picking strawberries. What a wonderful way to spend a hot summer day.

Wendy said...

Awww, Becky, it's June and the garden is the best place to be. Computer stuff just comes second.
I love your new header. It's so beautiful!

Your roses are lovely. I like peach ones and yellow ones, but pink and red are awesome too.

Loved your pics of your granddaughters. Don't they look sweet! And happy, and busy! You must have had fun in the strawberry patch. And in the kitchen afterwards. The fair looked like fun too. Happy memories for all.
Take care of yourself. I hope your cold is gone by now. Happy gardening.
Hugs

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Your Roses are just lovely. I'm particularly smitten with the last one. I remember going strawberry picking when I was a kid. What great memories you are creating for the girls.

Ana-Maria said...

The pictures with roses are so nice and lovely!
On the picture in which the girls keep the bowls with strawberries, the smallest collected at less, or eat them while picking them?:))
anyway nice blog and sweet girls.
kiss