Berry Picking Season

One of our favorite summer family field trips was blueberry picking. We caravanned into the moors and then were sworn to secrecy, by our aunt who knew all the best bushes and led the way. We brought buckets and step ladders for the high bush berries.

After much trial and error- grabbing everything from lobster pots and beach buckets to 6 quart colanders to collect our bounty. We finally came up with Hands free buckets for all. We used two liter soda bottles. Copying my sister’s altar guild practice of using soda bottles as portable vases to deliver leftover flowers to sick parishioners.

We cut off the spout part of the bottle with kitchen shears and covered the edge with duck tape because it’s kind of sharp. Then we used a hole punch to make two holes on either side of the receptacle/container. Next we used kitchen twine to make a neck strap for each one by threading the string through the hole and knotting. Everyone can pick their own strap length. I like mine longer, like a cross body bag.

If you don’t have two liter bottles you can also use light weight plastic storage containers. The disposable kind – We use Ziploc brand – Some people prefer the rectangular shape. You can also use hockey skate or tennis shoe laces if you don’t have any string lying around.

There are many how to videos on making buckets – here are a couple.

Video How To

You Tube HowTo

Our children had all read Blueberries for Sal and hoped to meet a baby bear – but we lived in a bear free zone. Like Sal, they ate almost as many berries as went into the buckets and we were all stained blue when we were done.

I probably don’t need to give you any ideas on how to use your blueberries – but these are the ones we liked best.

Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Aunt Jemima Blueberry Pancakes Recipe

Betty Crocker Blueberry Pie Recipe

For the pie, My mother insisted on the lemon and the flour in the filling. We didn’t always have cinnamon, so we skipped that. We served A la Mode with Vanilla Ice cream.

Another favorite was blueberries and peaches with a lemon juice & honey dressing.

Thank you, Aunt Nan, for all these expeditions and sharing your secret spots with us.

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