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Early June brings many sweet things: warmer days, sunshine, summer vacation… and fresh strawberries.

Strawberries are easily a favorite with their naturally sweet flavor and vibrant red color. I’m a strawberry lover, so the chance to pick and enjoy them fresh is such a pleasure. Even more important to me is to teach my little daughter where our food comes from, and here in Ohio it’s easy to do with our abundance of farm land.

To start off our strawberry day, my girl and I began with breakfast at a local diner.

This face… oh my!

We indulged in stuffed French toast with fresh strawberries… obviously!

I completely cherish these moments with my little one.

Our strawberry day weather was especially perfect for strawberry picking. The temperature was unseasonably cool in the mid to upper 60’s, which I loved! Overcast skies also made the morning comfortable for us strawberry hunters.

First strawberry picked!

… and eaten…

 

 

 

 

 

 

When picking strawberries, here are some ways to be prepared:

• Ask local friends and family for suggestions of farms where you can pick your own strawberries.
• Call the farm (or check their website) for hours, prices, and to double check that strawberries are ready to pick.
• Dress in layers. Since strawberries are usually picked in June, it’s likely to be a warm or hot day. Dress so you’re comfortable when you leave the house but can get down to shorts and a tank if necessary.
• Bring stuff: sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a small portable stool, and cool water are essentials. I also enjoyed having my DSLR camera with me.

 

 

 

After spending more than an hour in the strawberry patch (a longggg time with a three year old!) we weighed and paid for our harvest. A perfect way to reward yourself after crawling along the ground to pick little berries… ice cream!

Near our favorite strawberry patch is the Velvet Ice Cream factory and ice cream parlor. Plenty to do here!

 

I find it incredibly relaxing to lounge on a wooden bench by the water, listening to the soothing natural music of a small fountain, and paparazzi stalk annoyed but adorable ducks.

 

 

 

 

The Velvet Ice Cream Parlor offers dozens of varieties of fresh ice cream. What flavor would my little lady choose? Strawberry, of course!

What do we do with all of our strawberries? Eat them! Well, and this…

Click here for the Strawberry Pizza recipe.

Have you ever picked your own strawberries? Do you grow them?

Have a great day!