Harvesting

The fruit and vegetables in Brazil were so delicious. That is one thing we really miss. One reason the fruit is so good is because it is grown so close to where you buy it. One time I was in the grocery store and a man walked in with a gallon size bag of strawberries. The clerk weighed them and paid him, then put them out for sale. Now that is fresh. Since being back I have been very motivated to buy local. It was really easy all summer.

Here are the boys and Scottie harvesting raspberries in our back yard. Every few days we went out there for a snack.

We harvested 2 boxes of peaches from our peach tree.

Our little tree was so loaded with peaches that we had to brace up the branches or it looked like it could fall over. The peaches were so juicy and sweet!

Owen and I found a u-pick garden over in East Moline this summer when the other 2 were in golf lessons. We went there almost every 2 weeks for the rest of the summer. Owen loved it. He would either help me pick or play in the dirt. One time he got so muddy, I had to spray him down twice in one visit. Here is Owen with a bunch of beets.

Owen also liked riding in the wagon. We picked lots of green beans, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, edamame and lots more. I have always wanted (and tried) to have a garden, but the weeds always get the best of me. This is an awesome alternative.

Here is a pile of fresh cherry tomatoes we picked one day. The orange ones are the tastiest!

I did store a little bit of our harvest. I got my grandma's tomato soup recipe and canned 8 pints of tomato soup. I remember my grandma telling me how she would can 56 pints in one day. Now I know how much work that is! Wish I could tell he about it. She would be happy. I also canned 6 quarts of her bread and butter pickles, froze 3 gallon bags of green beans and 2 gallons of edamame.

 

Posted with Blogsy