≡ Menu

Let’s Talk Summer

DSC_1250.JPG

Yes, it’s that time again! I’ve been sneaking in Californian strawberries from my weekly grocery trips since March, but finally the Ontario ones are here! The Farmer’s Market is back at St. Lawrence Market, and although there are many stalls that sell local strawberries along Jarvis Street on Saturday mornings, I fell immediately for one particular stand where their little sign said “VERY SWEET”. Nobody else had such bold claims written in black and white, so it must be true, right? I bought two pints the first weekend, and for the past two weekends, I splurged and got a whole flat every week. It felt like such a commitment at first, and the stress that followed on what to do with the berries has been interesting…

So far I’ve whipped up a quart of my favourite Strawberry Fro-Yo, and made a few jars of jam. Emily’s recipe is delicious, and I’m already worried about rationing the jars to family & friends!

I’ve also had some time to play around with some simple floral arrangements using peonies and other late spring/early summer blooms. After seeing a few wedding blogs feature decor using simple jars, wild flowers, and seasonal blooms, I’ve been itching to test out my preferred combo. I’m pretty satisfied with my first try here, but think I might continue on tweaking until I find the colours I want, too. I’d love to get some bright grosgrain and satin ribbons on the jars to get more texture and colour, for example. What do you think?

DSC_1376.JPG

Strawberry on FoodistaStrawberry
{ 7 comments… add one }
  • Gabrielle Saturday 19 June 2010, 17:13

    Sandy! thanks for your support on 5amjetaime, please stop by sometimes and leave me some comments on your own styling inspiration in life!

    you have great photos and i might use some of them for posting later if you don’t mind. if you do, that’s fine.

    i always make links back to the original sources so no worries. i love your flower photos!

  • Alisa-Foodista Sunday 20 June 2010, 11:03

    Beautiful peonies, and what a lovely photo of strawberries too! if you wont mind I’d love to guide Foodista readers to this post.Just add the foodista widget to the end of this post and it’s all set, Thanks!

    • mango Tuesday 22 June 2010, 11:08

      Thanks for the tip!

  • emvandee Monday 21 June 2010, 19:54

    Hey! I made another batch of the jam yesterday – even better this time, and without any facial scarring. Glad you like it! I hope your strawberries are better than ours – with this wet weather, the strawberries are big and fat and noticeably less sweet than they were last year.

    • mango Tuesday 22 June 2010, 11:05

      I love this jam! I didn’t cut my strawberries small enough the first time, so I ended up using less in the “4 cups” as called for by the recipe. I was so sad to discover only 2.5 jars at the end, that I had to go out and get a whole other flat for a full batch!!

      Our berries have been pretty good this year, although now we’re getting a lot of rain so they’ve been inflating and getting cheaper at the market :-(

  • emvandee Tuesday 22 June 2010, 12:04

    I made mine with about 4.5 lbs this year – was just so disappointed in the sweetness of the berries, I figured this round of U-pick would go to jam, and then later in the season, maybe the sweet ones would come out. It’s just getting sunny now … cross your fingers for me!

  • 5am je t?aime Thursday 8 July 2010, 14:07

    {hello from california!} i’m going to borrow this photo of ‘flowers in the jar’. beautiful color & composition. {btw, iggy told me how delicious your cake was! i’m super jealous!} {do you want to exchange links? i’m putting your link under my ‘design category’} {cheers, gabrielle}

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment