We purchased our current home in the fall of 2001. We didn’t really get out much during that winter with all the painting, cleaning, and remodeling..so it wasn’t until early spring of 2002 that we had the opportunity to meet all of our neighbors. I was going to SIU full time for a degree in photojournalism and was always in need of people to stand in front of the camera. Our neighbor next door had the sweetest little girl named Hannah, and I would occasionally ask for her to sit for me so that I could practice posing little kids. Hannah was four years old that year. She wasn’t really interested in sitting in front of the camera..she wanted to see my flower garden and pick flowers for her mom. I would tell her that if she sat for me for just a few minutes I would let her pick as many as she wanted. I still remember her sitting down on the front steps of my house..she waited patiently as I fumbled with my camera..trying to get the settings right. I can still remember the sun shining down through her hair..I remember her pouting because I just wanted a “few more” frames..
This weekend I photographed Hannah again for her first prom. I guess it didn’t really hit me until I started processing these images..I had almost let the little girl next door slip my mind. She was just out there picking my flowers and now here she is, a beautiful young lady in high school, getting ready to drive, and going to prom. I just can’t believe it..where does time go? I guess the Doctor is right…time is like a big ball of “wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey‘ stuff that we somehow get mixed up in.
In southern Illinois Strawberry Pickin’ time arrives in May. This year I am totally prepared to can up some great strawberry jams for prep and as gifts. I have found a recipe that uses honey as the sweetener. It looks really simple and easy to do, so I am going to give it try and see how it tastes. Click HERE for the video.
We have several strawberry plants around the yard..unfortunately, the slugs seem to feast on the delicious fruit before we ever get a chance to pick any. We are still learning about organic pest control and trying different growing methods for the best yield. Hopefully, as the growing season starts next year we have this situation under control. I would love to harvest a huge basket of juicy red fruit from our own garden. Until then it is important to us to shop local, and organic..Carbondale has the best farmers market in the area, and Marion is growing by leaps and bounds. If you don’t like getting up early and venturing out before the before the roosters sings then you can try to catch organic strawberries on sale at your local grocery store.
Please remember that strawberries are on the dirty dozen list, so use organic strawberries to can with. I mean if your going to the trouble of canning your own, you will want them to be as clean as possible.
1. Strawberry Painting 2. Quick Strawberry Jam 3. Boozy Strawberry Limeade
4. Girls Cottage Garden Sailor Shorts 5. Strawberry Pistachio White Chocolate Bark 6. Strawberries in Basket 7. Strawberry Crostini
