It’s blueberry season up at “the Stevenson Farm” and this year my brother, his girlfriend Mary and her daughter Melissa, myself and Jody ascended upon the blue acres to lend Dad a hand with this year’s crop.
What started out as a rather naive assumption of “how difficult can it be?” ended in a four-day, back-breaking, sun-beaten, fly-bitten week and we enjoyed every minute of it. I do think, however, we all have a whole new appreciation for just how hard Dad works taking care of his crop and just how difficult raking blueberries, the old fashion, harvester-free way, actually is.
It required a true team effort, with us out in the fields and mom back at the house preparing meals and cleaning our clothes each night. Together, we were a well-oiled machine and each evening, we took great pride in surveying our berriful-bounty and great pleasure in counting our boxes and setting the goal for the next day.
It really was a great week. The only thing wrong with it is we didn’t get to stay long enough.
So the next time you pick up a blueberry muffin from Tim’s, or bake a blueberry pie, you never know, it could be a Stevenson blueberry.
The field to conquer. After our four days, we finished about 1/3 of the field. Dad finshed the rest after we left. In total he managed to get 13,000 lbs from the sheep pasture and field that leads down to the river behind the house.
Dad and raker-extraordinaire, Debbie.
This was taken just before some tourists from France wandered
into the field wanting to take our pictures.
Mary realizing that I was actually kidding about tucking our pants into our socks to prevent spiders crawling up our legs. Dad realizing Mary actually fell for it.
Don't worry Mary, here's a lovely one of Brad. Something the original Grampa Stevenson could have never dreamed of. Working out in the field while talking on the cell phone.
Only Melissa can make blueberry picking look glamorous. Melissa by the way, received the MVP award. She was a real trooper and stuck it out to the end! She made us all, especially Grampa Stevenson, very proud.
Our mitties drying out for the next day...
(Click on the pic to enlarge it; can you find the morning dove?)
Off to Oxford Foods.
And to top it all off, we got to celebrate the week with Paige's birthday party!
(Sorry mom, I didn't get any pictures of you! We know you're there though...)
3 comments:
Hi,
Great job in creating a very vivid picture of what the blueberry season is all about. The family time made it all very special this year even though much hard work was had by all. There will never be enough thank yous from your dad and I.
Mum
Hey Tammers :).
I absolutely adore your writing, how easy it is to read, and how easily people can relate to it. I love this one perticularily because you said I can make blueberry picking galmorous ;). Little does everyone know, under that mesh hat I was a mess of sweat. I cannot wait untill we all do it again next year! Hope you're up for it.
Love always,
Liss .
do you think I will be able to help next year?
love Paige<3
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