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Impulse Shopping
Last Friday, LGB fell asleep in the car while we were running some errands. He’d been avoiding his naps so I decided I needed to keep driving so he could get some much-needed rest.
Traffic lights annoy me so I decided to drive around the Kentucky countryside. I live about 5 miles from the state line so it wasn’t like I was really putting myself out. As we drove along the cornfields, I saw a sign for fresh strawberries!!! We try to eat local when we can so this was super exciting! I turned around and drove 5 minutes back into Tennessee to the nearest ATM.
Yes, I know… I was wasted lots of gas, but LBG was sleeping and there were strawberries- two very important things.
We made our way to a small farm with a produce stand in the front yard. To the side of the house was the garden!!! How’s that for seeing where your food comes from?!
It’s the beginning of the growing season so there wasn’t much by way of fresh produce, but there were plenty of fresh breads, eggs, canned (jars) goods, and flowers. There were also strawberries! Lots and lots!
Being the impulse shopper that I am, I bought a whole box—yeah, that would be 2 gallons!!! Never fear, I had plans. TF was slightly speechless when he saw what I was up to, but when I told him we could have strawberry shortcakes for dessert all was right in the world.
That night I gave canning jam/jelly a second go. I gave my new stockpot it’s maiden simmer, which I am happy to report did not involve any boil-overs or smoke filling the kitchen! By 9 pm, we had 9 beautiful jars of strawberry preserves along with a little extra in the fridge!
Saturday, I made strawberry jam! We have 10 jars in our collection. I think I’ve finally got the hang of boiling sugar in a safe manner! I can’t wait to can more food! It’s actually really addictive
I really wanted to make strawberry cake with the remainder of the berries, but I didn’t have all the ingredients. The berries where starting to get mushy so we cut up the good ones and made short cakes again. TF and I also added some to our iced tea! Super yummy- we both highly recommend trying it.
Today I bought more strawberries (that’s another story) and tomorrow I’m going to be a baking machine!!! I’ll probably be gaining a few extra pounds afterwards, too!
Bring on the blueberries!