Berry Lucky

Oh we are! We have the best neighbors in Luxembourg who also happen to have incredible gardens. We've received a tub of freshly picked strawberries *and* from our neighbors on the other side, raspberries! The strawberries were unlike any I've ever tasted. They literally melted in your mouth. The 4 of us stood in the kitchen stuffing them into our mouths as fast as we could. See that little hand in the picture? It would NOT let go!

The other neighbors have a huge patch of raspberry bushes that happen to be having a phenomenal season. They've invited us to eat, pick whatever we can reach from our yard. And we've happily taken them up on their offer. Going out to the backyard and eating raspberries has turned into an official activity at our house. Today we were all out at the same time, grazing and picking. When asked, my neighbor said she freezes the raspberries and makes a "Tiramsu like dessert with them in the winter." Naturally, I had to ask for the recipe and she was delighted to share it. It's called Tiramisu with Red Berries (I'm guessing that's how she translated it from Luxembourgish) I'm so excited to try it. I'll share the recipe when I do. This is beginning to remind me of my strawberry obsession from last year.

The red currents are ripening. She also shared some of those as well! They are tart and very seedy. Can understand why I mostly see them used as a garnish.

Wild and Sweet

Just popped in to share with you these sweet little wild strawberries we've been enjoying. Seems they love the weed patch in the front of our house. Almost convinces me not to dig it up and plant the rhododendron as I've been planning.

Rag Dolls - Strawberry Style

My obsession with strawberries continues . . . I spent most of Sunday afternoon trying to make a strawberry rag doll. That is a rag doll who's body is a strawberry. Let me explain. I'd recently watched Emily Martin, of The Black Apple fame, show Martha Stewart how to create darling rag dolls. Inspired, I printed out the directions and templates and decided to give it a go. Only I didn't use the templates (that's where I got into trouble) as I wanted my doll to have a strawberry for a body. Didn't turn out so well. See my first attempt here. So I ripped it apart, salvaging the head and limbs and settled for something simpler. Behold Stella Strawberry!

During my mad frenzy of sewing, I thought about the other 2 rag dolls I own (remember, I'm going through a huge nostalgia phase.) Both made by my mom. The kitty doll is special because she is stuffed with my baby blanket. The polka dot doll hung on the wall of my nursery along with many others. She is the only one that remains. My clever mom.

I took many pictures for this post, only to find out they are too small and pixelated. Anyhoo, I figured out the problem, but can't remedy the pictures I already took. Very disappointing . You can see them on my flickr steam if you're interested. . . I need to go to bed.

So Long Strawberry Dreams

I've been putting off this post long enough. I envisioned posting about my jars and jars of homemade strawberry jam - strawberry lime jam to be exact. My post would include beautiful color pictures of the girls and I picking strawberries, preparing the jam and eating it. But, it's just not gonna happen this year. The closest I could come was to buy these two pints of local berries at the grocery store. Sigh. Such is life. I've certainly enjoyed living vicariously through your strawberry adventures, though. Thanks so much for the visual treat!

Here is my farewell to summer strawberries ~

Local Love

Vintage Jam Jar (thanks Emily)

More onesies. These were commissioned by my Aunt as a gift for some newborn twins. These turned out better than my first attempt, don't you think?

Fabric I'm oogling at Superbuzzy

Dress I bought for my niece.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Just had to show off Mama Said's brilliant Muffin Tin. She did a Build-a-Bear theme. So flippin' clever, right?


Send me those Muffin Tin Posts . . .