The Strawberry Fields

After a Cracker Barrel breakfast with the husband and father-in-law, it was off to the fields for me.  A solo trip to Beechwood Farms led me to fields of deliciously ripe strawberries begging to be picked.  As soon as I stepped out of the car, that familiar sweet smell engulfed me and I was in Heaven!  The plants were so full of ripe berries that I barely had to move to fill both of my 4-quart baskets.  Seriously…Heaven!

The little strawberry pickers took a hay ride in the Lil Covered Wagon while the farm pups ran alongside.  It brought back sweet memories of my once little picker here at this same farm way back when.  It was idyllic.

I love moments like these.  Moments that are simple yet put such a good feeling in my heart and a smile on my face.  Moments that bring back memories and create new ones.

Have you gone strawberry picking lately?

Keepin’ it Old School

A stroll through my dad’s “building of dreams” gives me a glimpse of what once was, of a time passed but not forgotten.  Filled with old cars and signs, the building makes me feel like I have stepped back in time.  I swear if you listen carefully you can hear the stories and secrets each car has to tell.  Wisps of nostalgia float from car to car and I am captured in a moment long ago.

Thanks for keeping it old school dad!

Let me linger

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  ~John Muir

For me, there is nothing like a deep breath of fresh mountain air, a lazy stroll through Mountain Laurel and Honeysuckle, and a take-your-breath away view to calm the nerves, slow the pace, and re-center.  Let me linger awhile…

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

For me, seasonal crops of fresh strawberries mark the beginning of summer.  Growing up, my mom would get them in large quantities freezing some for yummy Strawberry Daiquiris (mine were virgin of course!), using some for strawberry shortcake, and churning homemade strawberry ice cream with the rest.   I loved the way the kitchen smelled when she would slice them, their juicy sweetness filling the air with the smell of summer.

Well, its that time again and with such a short time to enjoy strawberries in their full glory I am taking advantage!  Thanks to one of my favorite blogs, Just a Smidgen, I found this recipe!   First was Strawberry Cake, now this, Strawberry Shortcake Cookies!  These delectable little bites of strawberry goodness are so moist and just sweet enough making them so addicting.  Unfortunately, I did not have the Lemoncello, and since it was Sunday, I had no access, but rest assured, no harm done!  Next time Lemoncello!  As a side note, we added a dollop of vanilla ice cream on some of the warm cookies out of the oven…need I say more?

Star Light, Star Bright

Reblogged from Gone to the Dogs at SeaStrands Studio:

I’ve wanted to try star trail photography for some time, simply to have it at my disposal as a technique to use, should I feel the desire. Turns out it’s not terribly difficult, just incredibly particular and rather finicky to set up.

I read some online articles here and here, as well as the applicable sections of my camera manual and handbook.

Read more… 123 more words

Rainer’s. I love this place!

I have found a new downtown love and it goes by the name of Rainer’s.

This quirky cafe/art gallery offers fresh, delicious options for lunch, dinner, or dessert and showcases fun art from local artists and from those around the world.  Almost everything is for sale!  The chairs you sit on, the table you eat at or the paintings on the walls!  They could all be yours!  Best of all…Rainer’s is cell phone free!  You must take your calls outside!  Goodbye rude cell phone people!  I hope to see other places follow suit!

On our maiden visit, I ordered the Pesto Tomato Panini with a side of Mediterranean Pasta while the husband settled for the Cuban with a side of fresh fruit!  Yum, yum, and more yum!  Unfortunately, we did not leave room for dessert but maybe next time, say…after The Lion King at the Peace Center …maybe?

“The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.”*

This weekend we played in the mud!

Participating in the Goodwill Mud Run helped me remember how fun it is to not worry about stepping in a mud puddle or getting dirty!  It was liberating to just dive in and see how muddy we could actually get.

The muddier the better!

As a matter of fact, after reading this blog, I learned that playing in the mud can make you happier, heaIthier and smarter!  I think I need to play in the mud more often!  Another Mud Run this fall anyone?…Who’s in?

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*E.E. Cummings