Picking Blueberries

 Last week was a blueberry week for me! Each year I look forward to driving out to our favorite blueberry farm and soaking in the beauty of the surrounding countryside and fields of blueberries. As I have mentioned before blueberries are my favorite berries. Each year instead of cake I ask my mom to bake me a blueberry pie for my birthday. There is something extra special about enjoying a taste of summer in January on my birthday.

Jemimah enjoyed her first experience picking blueberries with momma and grammy. She would reach out and grab at the leaves, but mostly she enjoyed watching all of the other people picking berries.

 We picked two quarts of raspberries too, so I could make a batch of jam. It was a perfect day, not too hot with blue cloudless skies. It was certainly a day I will always remember! I love spending time with my mom, and little girl, doing the things we used to do when I was young.

 Adam was quite pleased with the berries I picked, but decided that it would be nice to have even more berries frozen for the winter ahead, so last Saturday Adam, Jemimah and I went to the blueberry farm. Adam had never been, so it was a treat for him.

All in all we picked over 15 pounds of blueberries. I baked a blueberry/blackberry pie and will look forward to enjoying blueberries in oatmeal, muffins, pancakes, cobbler and pies throughout the winter ahead!

Bread Baking Aprons and a Crocheted Rug

 Marilla sighed and then said proudly:
"I'm giving Anne that half dozen braided rugs I have in the garret. I never supposed she'd want them- they're so old-fashioned, and nobody seems to want anything but hooked mats now. But she asked me for them- said she'd rather have them then anything else for her floors. They are pretty. I made them of the nicest rags, and braided them in stripes. It was such company these last few winters."
-Anne's House of Dreams" Lucy Maud Montgomery

Over the summer months, when it is too hot to knit, I enjoy cutting my scrap calicos into strips and then crocheting the strips into rugs. It is a great way to use up extra fabric, which I always seem to have an abundance of! There is something so old-fashioned and homey about a crocheted or braided rag rug.

"Anne's House of Dreams" is my favorite of the "Anne" series. It has been years since I read "Anne's House of Dreams", but I have had the pleasure of listening to the story read aloud while I sew and crochet here.

When I was growing up my mom almost always wore aprons while working about the home. We would refer to her favorite style as her "Bread Baking Apron". It is loose fitting and long; perfect for working about the home and garden. My mom often baked homemade bread, and this apron style allows plenty of freedom to move while kneading bread dough. : )

My sisters and I would sometimes grab one of mom's aprons off of the hook in the kitchen before heading out to the garden. The large pockets are perfect for stashing a of couple fresh tomatoes and the apron length helps protect your skirt from being stained by the plants as you walk between them.

 Both aprons and the rug are now available to purchase in my Etsy shop!

Hope you all are enjoying these beautiful summer days! The warmth and sunshine are such a blessing!

"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

                                         And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

1 Chronicles 16:31