Strawberry Summer Days

You know by now that we are big on tradition in this house. From holidays to seasonal activities, we are firm believers in creating and carrying out traditions. And that means pick-your-own season is one of our favorite times of the year. It's a combination of the sunshine warming your skin, the crispness of fresh fruit plucked straight from the vine/branch, and refreshing sips of frozen peach and apple slushes after you've picked your share. 

Last Friday, was the kick-off to the picking season for us. We headed out for a full day in Charlottesville, with our first stop at Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet for strawberry picking. This year's picking season is a little extra special as we introduce Quinn to all of these summer-into-fall traditions. And turns out she is quite the fan of straight-from-the-vine strawberries just like her sister. And that's no surprise when this year's berries were extra sweet and wonderful, warm from the sun and ready to be gobbled up on the spot.

This year's experience in the strawberry patch was delightful; not only that, but the people who run the orchard are some of the nicest you'll meet. If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Peach Orchard have a special place in our hearts. It's our destination for yearly apple, peach, and strawberry picking. We just can't get enough! In fact, we already have a date marked in the calendar for peach picking in July. Donut peaches, nectarines, plums....we're coming for you!