Blueberry Eyes & Pies

The Inspiration

That's my Blueberry Baby on the left...

My daughter has the deepest blue eyes, not sky blue, but blue like a very ripe blueberry. In addition, she loved blueberry almost as much as she loved nursing at one point in her early years. I've grown to love them too. My favorite berry grows beautifully in my region, and the U-Pick season has officially begun!
With a quick Google search, I was able to find a local, conscientious blueberry farm in driving distance for a Sunday trip. I took my husband and daughter along for the picking and ended up with several lovely outcomes:

• A fresh air, sunshiny family memory of eating fresh and alive berries straight from the bushes (the farm encourages this for U-Pickers).
• A playful competition for who could pick the most that had parents and an "almost teen" laughing together.
• Several hours of physical movement in nature and with purpose, so the time flew by.
• Three full bellies, feeling high on nutrients matched to the season and the earth-region we live in.
• Loads of fresh berries for a fun evening baking project for mother and daughter to share (specifically, an experimental blueberry dark chocolate torte with my sourdough culture crust...recipe to come).
• Fresh blueberries on hand to add to meals for several weeks and keep in a pretty clay bowl in the table for easy snacking.
• Loads of berries to freeze for future smoothies, pies, sauces, and icepops.

The So What

Life is sweeter and richer when we connect with nature and each other to nourish ourselves.  Healthy traditions tied to the kitchen make the best memories.

The Suggestion

Decide on at least ONE local produce item that you can enjoy seasonally, while supporting earth-respecting farmers. Choose a U-Pick option in your region, if possible, and make at least one day of it each year.