Canada Day Berry Picking

Truly, what says Canada Day better than the white and red of a layered strawberry shortcake? That's how I wrapped up our nation's birthday -- with strawberry shortcake made with berries I picked fresh that day.

We finally had a small break in the weather and although it was overcast the rain held off. I had planned to go berry picking at some point this week and Kelly was game for the adventure. We decided we would go yesterday and take her niece and nephew, Emma and Ben. Her mom, Lindy, joined us as well. We took Kelly's van (it has a DVD player -- perfect for entertaining a five- and six- year-old) and headed towards the Valley. Our first stop was New Minas where Lindy had seen signs earlier in the week for a U-pick operation. Instead we found a truck-load sale -- berries $1.50 a pint. They gave us directions to the field behind Kentville. In the grocery store berries are selling between $2.50 and $3.25 a pint.

Berries were 75 cents a pint (I had to buy my baskets at 25 cents each) and they were plentiful. I picked in one section of the field where the berries were smaller. Kelly et al moved to another just opened section where the berries were twice the size and in the end we all filled our flats in about the same length of time. The van smelled of the rich aroma of ripe berries.

On the way home we stopped at a local fruit and vegetable market with a take-out stand where we ate a late lunch. I picked up fresh peas, potatoes, lettuce (two types), carrots, beets, cucumber, onion and broccoli, plus local brown eggs, bread and biscuits (although truth be told, my own biscuits are better).

I was tired by the time I got home but very pleased with all the fresh fruit and vegetables. I think my new medication is working; I had to take Tylenol twice last night because my legs and shoulders were aching. Lindy, who is a nurse, gave me my shot yesterday but today I'm on my own. Only four more to go.

I did open a couple of presents out of the Joy Box -- a cancer ribbon snow globe, nail polish, lip balm and earplugs. Cards in the mail Tuesday night included one from the Colorado team and one from the Southville Church of Christ.