Strawberry Picking

On Sunday we went the the Berry Patch in Forest Lake and we picked strawberries and raspberries.  It was quite the adventure trying to find a farm that was still open for strawberry picking.  Last year we picked strawberries on the 4th of July so I thought there was plenty of time left this summer to pick berries.  Well I guess the warm Spring had an impact on the strawberry harvest and picking started 2 weeks earlier this year (and also has ended 2 weeks earlier.)  So when I called Afton Orchards on Saturday, I was shocked to find  their strawberry season ended.  I frantically began searching for a farm that was open.  The Berry Patch was the only farm that I found and Sunday was their last day of picking.  We were able to pick from the entire patch adn the strawberries were pretty easy to find.  Katie and Allie had fun picking but I think Katie only put 5 berries in the box and Allie didn't put any (the rest of the berries that they picked went right in their tummies.)  Their picking reminded me of the book "Blueberries for Sal." We also had a chance to pick some raspberries.  We came home and I made 8 jars of strawberry jam (with the help of my 2 little cooks).  I hope strawberry picking will always be this much fun!