Strawberries and Kids

The last two weeks of March were a whirl wind but we got through it. The anniversary party we were preparing for was a huge success. The couple was absolutely delighted and very generous with compliments for all involved. Sarah performed in the Vagina Monologues for two nights and she, too, was a huge success. The first night was great and the second night was even better.

We laid low on Monday recovering from the previous weeks. Tuesday and Wednesday was tied up with Sarah getting ready for a colonoscopy then having the procedure. That turned out normal, thank goodness!!

Thursday we joined some of our friends at church for crafts day. They had planned to take the kids strawberry picking which they did. We offered for everyone to come over and make strawberry jam today (Friday).

The crowd started arriving a little after 11 a.m. One dad, two moms, one adolescent and five kids ranging in age from 3 to 7 years old. We got started washing the strawberries. The little girls helped cut them up. Then we got the strawberry jam cooking.

The dad wanted to know if we went to "Woman School" to learn how to can things. I said, "yes." I had begun attending "Woman School" as a child just like his daughter was doing today. I remember my mother and her sisters and sisters-in-law getting together to can and freeze in the spring and summers. The kids got to help out with the chores that were not dangerous to begin with and each summer you got to do a little more. I was delighted when I got to the summer when I was allowed to use a knife. I felt like I had arrived.

As the jam cooked, Sarah grilled some hot dogs outside on the grill. We had lunch and then got back to work. The kids seemed to have a good time running in out and playing.

Canning and freezing with other women makes the job easier but it also creates a time to share and bond. Sarah and I really enjoyed today with everyone and helping them make strawberry jam. Even more than that it allowed us to share things that we learned from our mothers with other women. Great day, great fun, great memories!! Thank you ladies! Thank you dad! Thank you kids!!