Well very early this morning I filled Crackerjack's bright yellow bucket hat with tiny slips of paper - each one baring the name of one of the Summer Fun commenters - there was probably an easier way to do this but at this early hour and on limited caffeine, it was all I came up with lol - we mixed them all up and then the boys chose a name, our second summer winner is ...
... Melissa R.!
Congratulations, Melissa! Please zip me a note at drhanigan AT comcast DOT net when you have a chance and we'll discuss the mailing details. :)
Now, what summer pastime does Melissa NOT want to miss this year?
Blueberry Picking!
Mmmm, blueberry picking is a must-not-miss in New England, especially if you can make it up to Maine ~ Maine blueberries are so sweet and tender! When I was a little girl I remember wild blueberries grew on the hill behind my grandparents' house. I remember sitting there on hot August days, nestled in and amongst the scrubby wild bushes, filling my tiny dixie cup with those teeny dusky blue berries - always hoping to pick enough for a pie, but never leaving many in the cup. (Most of them made their way into my mouth!)
My grandma made the BEST blueberry pies in the world. To this day I've never had better, and I now resolve to try making one this summer. Actually, a cup of coffee and a blueberry hand pie, eaten outside on a hot summer morning would be the epitome of summer sweetness ...
... or maybe a couple of these blueberry bonanza bars:
Making blueberry jam with the kids would be another wonderful August activity! If you can't pick them yourselves, a local farmer's market would be sure to have some for sale.
Another blueberry activity - one I have saved in my August journal from last year - is to make blueberry fabric stamps.
How cute are they?!
If you are working on Christmas gifts this summer, these homemade stamps could be used to make a set of pretty notecards or recipe cards. Buy blank cards at the craftstore, along with the cork and blue and green ink pads. Purchase a length of pretty blue or yellow gingham ribbon as well - what a lovely gift and an easy hot day summer project!
A jar of that blueberry jam mentioned above would make a perfect summer hostess gift. Decorate at plain gift bag (another craft store purchase - I always keep several sizes on hand) with your blueberry stamps, pop the jam inside and tie the bag up with some ribbon.
If you have little ones, here are two favorite blueberry books I can't help but mention:
and
Thank you, Melissa, for reminding me of the summer goodness of blueberries! I've made a note in my August calendar to try some of these projects and to request those books from the library. :)
Now, my very next post will be a compilation of all the wonderful summer thoughts you all shared. (I had planned to do it here but I got a little carried away with the blueberry theme, lol ...)
And yes, I am working on that File Crate post - still! I have it about halfway done, and will hopefully get it up early this week.
Have a lovely Sunday, everyone! Thanks as always for stopping by! :)
Thank you SO much for this unit study! It is perfect for my homeschoolers. :) I will love making all this stuff with them. :) Hope you have a great Monday!
Val
Posted by: Val | July 20, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Oh, my great aunt made one of the best blueberry buckle recipes. Mmmmm! I better get my basket ready.
Posted by: Dawn | June 29, 2009 at 01:27 PM
The blueberries are ready for picking here in Virginia! I'm not a fan of cooked berries, so my favorite pie is a cold one, similar to strawberry pie. Here's the recipe if you're interested:
http://cometothetablebarbara.blogspot.com/2009/06/summer-blueberry-pie.html
If it looks familiar, it's because my friend Elizabeth published it in Faith and Family magazine LAST summer. It is that good!
Posted by: Barbara | June 28, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Wow, I am saving these ideas for late July, when the blueberries are ripe around here. Thanks a bunch (or a berry basketful) for all the blueberry joy!
(and congrats to Melissa, from the other humble and lucky winner!)
Posted by: Penny in VT | June 28, 2009 at 10:40 AM