Call me crazy, but I have started a free summer day camp in my home for the kids in my life. It's not like I don't have enough to do this summer (namely, sell my old house) ... but in truth, I am so looking forward to having these little balls of energy, laughter and curiosity share some exciting summer projects, crafts and outings with Isaac and me. And "Jodi Camp" (as my niece calls it) starts tomorrow.
In preparation for the big "opening day", Isaac, Daddy and I went strawberry picking --- because my first camp day will focus on strawberries and all their wonderful uses. We will cook with them, make juice with them and even create a strawberry paint concoction for painting some gorgeous artwork :)
In Maine, strawberry picking is an annual ritual for most families, and that is true for us as well. After fiddleheads, strawberries are the first crop of summer. That is a big deal in a state where our growing season is so limited. Mainers seem to relish every single rite of each season ... hoping to savor every moment ... as everything is so temporary ... so fleeting. I don't remember that kind of living when we grew up in Southern NH. I think we took more for granted when we lived life "in the fast lane". Here, we have learned to appreciate every nuance of the seasons ... participating in them as fully as possible. I am so thankful for that kind of living ... participating in the seasonal rituals that celebrate our connections to the earth ... and to each other.
So, in a nutshell, we picked strawberries ... it felt good ... tasted great ... and tomorrow we will savor them in every possible way. Stay tuned for the results :)
Love,
Jodi
I planted the above rose bush over 6 years ago - at the old homestead - and it never did anything worth photographing ... that is, until I moved away. Now that we are all moved out of the house, this rose bush decided to bloom in all its glory. And I am left wondering what was so wrong with me - that it did not want to show its beauty in my presence. I mean, I thought I took good care of it and all. Halis claims that it just didn't like the frequent "watering" that the dogs gave it. However, I've never seen the dogs anywhere near that bush. But I want to believe him. My ego needs to believe him. Either way, as we ready the house for sale, I will be able to photograph its gorgeous blooms. Whether the roses like it or not.
We used a Banana Nut Bread recipe (doubled) ... excluded the nuts ... and simply added chopped up fresh strawberries, frozen blueberries, and chocolate chips. Then we mixed some brown sugar with some melted butter and sprinkled that over the top. YUM! It was heavenly. 
With our leftover strawberries, we made some very satisfying strawberry lemonade and scrumptious strawberry milkshakes (though I forgot to take photos - they were too delicious to wait for). Then, as planned, we made some all-natural strawberry paint in order to create some rich and delicious artwork (just mash up some strawberries, grab some paper and paintbrushes and start creating).
This past weekend, Isaac and I were privileged to attend the Wabanaki Confederacy Pow-Wow on Indian Island in Old Town, Maine. It was hosted by the Penobscot Nation, of which my extended family is a part (Meaghan, Missy, Sydney, etc.).
