Did you ever taste a strawberry? Not just eat it, taste it?
When we were kids one of the first jobs on the farm in summer was picking our 5 acres of strawberries.
The wet dew on the leaves, the bees buzzing, the wild daisies dotting the landscape and the smell of the red berries ripening in the morning sun made living in the present moment simple and the work delightful.
The first berry we popped in our mouth only seduced us into finding a bigger and sweeter one. When it was time to break for lunch we were never hungry!
On my early morning run, while visiting daughter no. 2 a couple of weeks ago I spotted wild daisies growing along the path. 30 minutes after I finished exercising, Niki, little Henri and I found ourselves in the strawberry patch on a U-Pick farm nearby.
Henri eats fruit for breakfast daily. He was amazed to see natures berry bowl with sweetness hanging on the plants ripe for the picking. His own sweet hunt was on! He was grabbing green, orange and finally red ones.
It was pure joy to see Henri experiencing fruit growing in the afternoon sun. Something many children or adults never know.
This summer instead of heading to the grocery store find a U-Pick farm and delight in the sights, sounds, taste and smell of summer.
Grandson no. 2 loves baseball. Love this next photo! My daughter sent this one from his game.
It ain't over till it's over. -Yogi Berra
My oldest grandchild turned 16 in April and now drives. She's getting her great grandmother's car 4th of July weekend.Remember when you were 16?
Mackenzie has spent her first two years of high school on the swim team. Last winter my daughter enrolled her in a life guard class with hopes of her getting a summer job at their community pool.
Tuesday she had her first interview and is now a life guard. She is making nearly $8 an hour which I believe is nothing short of a miracle these days.
Seventy-five percent of our planet is water – can you swim? ~Author Unknown
A few weeks ago Caroline from No Wordz Photography took some photos of me for my blog redesign. It was so much fun to meet another blogging buddy. Stay tuned for the unveiling…
Caroline took this photo at a park near Manhattan Beach. Notice the tiny purple flowers on the grass in between the leaves!
In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them. ~Aldo Leopold
My friend Joy at Unfolding Your Path To Joy has written about summer today as well and invited others to do the same. Check it out…you'll love it.
Also I'm being interviewed at "From Bottom Up" by Hulbert Lee today. Please stop by and check out his amazing blog. Some of his interviews are nothing short of amazing!
Happy summer everyone!
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Really enjoyed getting to know you a bit via Hulbert’s site today. We have a big strawberry patch too (not quite 5 acres worth, lol) and I could totally relate to tasting the strawberry. True summer magic!
Jean Sarauer´s last post…How to Turn Life’s Lemons Into Blog Post Lemonade
It’s funny how we’ve lost our connection to food growing in nature. It’s why we need to take better care of the earth. When we care about what we put in to our bodies we realize how fragile the earth truly is.
I love the photographs. It gives a very cool glimpse into your life. I need to do more sharing of my family on my blog.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last post…What’s the Quickest Way to Irk a Co-Worker?
Hi Tess, eating as we breath. Pick it while you walk by, fresh from nature.
How beautiful to taste warm strawberries. This is how we are meant to eat our food. In our current garden you can eat from a bush or a tree whole year round, there is always something to pick and it still amazes me.
And wow, that photo is amazing as are the other ones of course.
Much love to you and have great summer fun. xox Wilma
Wilma Ham´s last post…Wilma on Our ego cannot exist in ‘Heaven on Earth’
Great photo of you, Tess! I love picking fruits from a tree or a vine. What a wonderful way to feel connected to the earth and nature. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos of your loved ones. I don’t think I’ll ever stop saying, “My, they grow up so fast” when I see kids outgrow me in height!
Belinda Munoz + The Halfway Point´s last post…ALL CLEAR: FeedMedic Alert for thehalfwaypoint
Hi Tess,
I love the distinction you’ve drawn, between eating and tasting. At a basic level food is for eating. But tasting is about being present, in the moment. It’s about appreciating, giving thanks, sharing, pausing to enjoy. I bought strawberries yesterday – can’t pick them near me
I’ll make sure to taste each one, and think of you!
Topi
Topi´s last post…5 reasons to wake up early
Hi Tess,
Timely topic!
Strawberries are such beautiful little works of art. I just love to look at them. Delicate & vibrant. I have shares in a CSA. After researching what’s in our food, I wanted to find a place that grew fruits/veggies in as close to their natural state as possible. Fresh strawberries taste luscious and should be juicy! A friend that moved here from another country couldn’t get over the need for a knife when eating a store bought strawberry!
Thanks, Giulietta
Giulietta Nardone´s last post…Why don’t more adults play with abandon?
Hi Tess,
I love this blog post. You know why? I like reading articles that talks about life. Strawberry picking is a great activity for kids. I have a 4 year old daughter but sadly, she was not able to experience it since we do not have strawberry plantation near our town. You’re grandchildren has a great life of their own.
Hey Tess: Thank you for sharing the joy of great experiences from the perspective of a child … that is really what is all about. As an adult, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that just because we are older, we really know how to experience life. When it comes down to it, children are really able to experience the essence of all things life has to offer. Thanks for the great post and I am looking forward to checking out your interview with Hulbert.
Sibyl – alternaview´s last post…Choose to Be at Ease and Everything Will Improve
Hi Tess!
I love the vibrant photography in your post. Lovely!
As a fellow farm girl (although I no longer live on the farm) I have fond memories of diving into the strawberry patch and coming out red-faced.
And WOW, Caroline captured your very essence — look at that smile! Gorgeous! I can hardly wait to see your blog redesign. Woot!
~xo
Lori´s last post…Your Life as a Comic Strip
Hi Tess – Smiling here. Love these snapshot posts from you. Our apricot tree is brimming with fruit, and this weekend there’s plenty of picking to do. With such juicy rewards. And yes, I can’t wait to see your blog redesign too. Great photo!
Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last post…Meaning Mondays: The Four Healing Salves
Jean,
Welcome to the bold life and thanks for coming over. With a zillion blogs out there I really appreciate you choosing mine today. I’m thinkin about strawberry shortcake…
Karl,
Yes on food and nature and yes on sharing more of your personal life. People will find a heart connection with you and at the same time you seem more “real.”
Wilma,
I love it when you post about your garden. I want to come and sit in the middle of it…talk about life and eat! Happy weekend.
Belinda,
Yes in Michigan there are places all over to get food fresh and pick it yourself if you like. It’s what I miss the most about the state. Fresh farm food!
Topi,
Yes you named it…tasting happens in the moment and about 5 years ago I quite eating on the run or in my car because I wasn’t tasting anything.
Giulietta,
I don’t know what CSA is but it sounds like a good thing! And your correct fresh and juicy and we need to do what it takes to get as much fresh and juicy as possible.
Anne,
Thanks for stopping by…yes we’re very blessed.
Sibyl,
Thanks and welcome to the bold life. I appreciate your interest in my work.
Lori,
We’re both “farm girls” I love it! Who knew strawberries would have such a big impact on is years later! Gorgeous…it’s Caroline’s magic but hey thanks I’ll take that in.
Patti,
Apricots…my hubs loves ‘em. Thanks for coming by…I loved your last post.
Hi Tess! Amazing taste when you pick them ripe, gobbling then and there! I’m anxious to go picking locally – especially after this blog!- but we have a late season here in the Northwoods. They’re coming!
hugs
suZen
suzen´s last post…Summer Solstice and Time for Review
Hi Tess,
Happy Summer!!!
Love the pictures you’ve shared of YOU and your family!! What a great bunch!
And…I spent a summer picking strawberries at a farm just down the road from us. I didn’t do very good though – I was eating way too much!!!
Lance´s last post…Music For The Soul
We’re in winter down here at the moment. Bleh.
So, yeah, you guys go ahead and enjoy your high falutin’, sunshiney, summer days. Don’t mind us freezing our little tootsies off down on the bum end of the planet. No, really, have a good time!
Jest kiddin’ there, Tess.
I love strawberries by the way. If it has a berry in the name, chances are I’ll take to it with aplomb, preferrably with a plum (someone please stop me).
Man, your last post is just full of golden words that will be true proverbs ever.Have got a lot of interesting facts and aphorisms to think over.
You’re a talented blogger!
With a wife and two small kids I quit my job 40 years ago to ‘Go West’. In the beautiful Fraser Valley I landed a job surveying, cutting up large properties for subdivision into lots. It was at this time of year that I was set up in the middle of a huge strawberry field and got my first taste of fresh picked, large juicy berries. We made many trips back to the farms the following years. A sad outcome though Tess is the huge urban sprawl that has occurred.
Grampa Ken´s last post…Blog Writers Block Article Reposts
Tess, I was eating a strawberry when I popped over to your site and this post! I LOVE THAT!
And yes, I stopped to actually taste it… thanks to you!
Tess, you’re as bright and beautiful as a sunny summer day, and I love everything you share. Thank you for being boldly, authentically you, and for reminding ME how to live my best life.
Big hug,
Megan
suZen,
Yeah you didn’t miss the strawberry season near you. I’m glad to know I inspired you to pick some luscious berries. I saw the full moon last night and thought of you. You were probably outside enjoying it at the same time.
Miss your posts!
Lance,
ROFL yes how can one not eat too many…especially when you spent hours out there. I love them and eat them year round.
Tony,
Come to AZ where you’ll be hot and warm and sunshiney all year!
Grandpa K,
I can just see you out there as a surveyor. I always wanted a job like that. And I can see your joy in the berry patch. Yes the urban sprawl is heartbreaking but I’ll keep the fields in my memory forever.
Megan,
Yes we’re on the planet living our best life in spirit together! I love it.
Tess Bold Life´s last post…Stepmom’s Tool Box with Peggy Nolan
Tess, you’re reminding me of picking raspberries with my dad when I was just a young child still calling him “Daddy.” About half the berries went into our buckets because we ate the others. Fresh-picked, still warm from the sun, is the BEST way to eat anything, I think. I remember fresh asparagus, too… Your point about tasting is excellent, and it’s exactly why we have our dining table on the patio. The outdoors enhances flavors, and eating becomes an almost all-body experience. Thank goodness we live in a year-round climate!
I love your beautiful photos, especially the one of you!
Julie´s last post…The Only Thing That Matters
Tess, this post makes me want to go strawberry picking now
Well, hopefully this week… I tried to go last week, but the weather did not allow for it.
I love, love, love fresh strawberries and blueberries picked right from the bush …mmm
Henri looks like he is loving them – and good for him, for having such an awesome breakfast!
As for your photograph – gorgeous! Your spirit is captured brilliantly in it for sure!
Evita´s last post…Believe Without Evidence
Happy summer Tess! I wish you to have even more fun with the grandchildren!
By the way, great picture…
I just came across the Hulbert interview with you. Hulbert does have a great site. I think this is the first time I hear your voice.
Tess,
We had strawberries on our farm but they were tiny and not very good. Our raspberries were amazing, though. It was hard to fill the buckets because we kept eating them. We did eventually bring some home though. They were delicious in a bowl with some milk and sugar.
A gorgeous photo of you! Wowee
Tess,
So much to comment on!!!
You are radiant and beauty filled and your photo captures your essence completely!!! You shine! And you know that I *love* that you flew in for a photo shoot:)
Strawberries..mmm..we are in the midst of strawberry fields so hae strawberries in abundance..I love to go to the Farmer’s market and try berries from each table..a morning of berries:) Nothing better than a sweet berry juicy and fresh…mmm and add chocolate oh man!!!
The photos of your grandchildren are precious..and yes they do tend to grow:) I think how blessed they are to have you so involved in their life…and how blessed you are to have them…
And, I will check out your interview..
Thank you for the link..
Enjoy your Sunday:)
Joy´s last post…Fearless Fun Friday- Summer-Time Adjectives…
Wow. There’s no strawberry picking in my city in India, so this was a delight to read. It;s raining here and this perspective on an american summer is so good to read.Have a great summer.
Uzma´s last post…Learning in the rain-Love- joy-courage and the moment
Tess! I knew you were beautiful — but THAT beautiful, as the photo shows? How can anyone have eyes that startlingly blue, captivating and full of shining joy???
So intrigued about your new blog design. Whoo-hoo!
Cutest Henri ever. I am totally going to check out a U-Pick this summer.
I didi not get my license until I was 23, but I imagine my girl will at 16. AWESOME!!
xoxo
Jannie Funster´s last post…Even More Bigger
Great images of Summer and nice reminders to slow-down and experience the beauty around us. Thank you!
HappinessandWisdom´s last post…News About Happiness- Key to Kid’s Happiness- Study Results
wonderful thoughts of summer and all the pleasures. I just put 50 pounds of strawberries in the freezer and dehydrator, because organic is cheap now, but very expensive later….Love those berries! I’m with Henri fruit every morning for breakfast
$8 an hour that is good this summer….and now a car! What a 16th year.
Your picture is lovely and so full of life and energy – Like you – little purple flowers were easy to see after I took in the sparkling eyes.
Baseball – truly a summer pleasure.
Thank you Tess for delighted the senses with this post
Patricia´s last post…Graduation
I enjoyed this post and pictures very much. Those strawberry pictures just look so yummy! Henri is sure a lucky boy. Thanks for sharing such a nice family story with us. Take care Tess.