When I was growing up our family often went strawberry, raspberry and apple picking. I have happy memories of me sitting on the kitchen table dipping strawberries in sugar and eating them. Curt's family has a similar tradition except it involves wild blueberries and sometimes bears. But the result is always the most amazing blueberry pie you have ever eaten! Usually when we visit Ontario we aren't there during blueberry season but this time the stars aligned and I finally got to go. Twice! It was dreamy. The perfect combination of spongy, piney scented groundcover that crackles when you walk; soft, beautiful and sweet berries; and a little bit of industry (which always makes me happy).
Curt's Gran (who turned 86 this summer btw) has been picking since she was a small girl. She and her siblings would go out in the bush all day get paid just a few pennies for their work. She said she's seen bears on occasion but only been chased out once. Yikes.
And I'm so excited. My boys finally like blueberries. The tart, tough skinned ones we get here have never interested them. But at least now they know what a real blueberry tastes like. We managed to take 2 quarts home with us and are so happy to have a little slice of Canada back here in Texas with us.
