Everyone Gets a Job This Year

We were almost too late!

Our schedule was so crammed with so many things that we were almost too late to enjoy the simple and beautiful pleasure of going to the farm, picking our strawberries and then making our jam for the year!

But, we made it!  The strawberry season was all out of flux this year, like everything else, because of the crazy weather and we were able to squeeze in there when we normally would have been out of luck.

Now, when you take four little girls ages 2,4,4 and 7 to the strawberry patch you don't anticipate much help, just mere accompaniment.  But, this year I was shocked at all the extra berries I acquired with these little monkeys!

The scales were not evenly balanced however.  Lana was the most swift of pickers and came in first wile Skyla was a close second.  Journey was able to actually scrounge up red ones this year instead of whatever ended up in her hand when she grabbed at the plant, so that was a huge step up from last year.  She brought a few to the big box and then there was Trinity who didn't bring in a single one!  She had red fingers and a matching red ring around her mouth, but, mysteriously, NO strawberries ever came back with her!!!

The heat of midday was starting to sting our backs and so we decided we had had enough.  After gathering the ingredients, it was time for the much anticipated "Jam Jamboree"!  This year was different though.  Last year I remember the process taking long, being difficult with monkeys around my ankles and it being a huge mess.  This year, though it was still a big mess, it was so fun and everyone was able to help.

Finding jobs for 10 hands in this operation was a little tricky, but we had quality control "pickers" from the basket, "washers", 2 "stemer's", and a "crusher".  We did a few rounds and so everyone was able to do each job, but I think the crushing was the most coveted.

The girls were able to participate in everything and then put it into the jars.  We made enough to last until next year!  We are going to try raspberry, blueberry and grape as well this year and I have no doubt my girls will be right there with me.

When they participate in their food through activities like these, gardening, farmers markets etc., they appreciate it even more when they eat it. Now they have, "peanut butter and the jelly that WE made".

I am not as much of a cook as I would like to be and when I am it can get a little hairy in the kitchen, but I will always invite a little stool, or a few, next to me to help.