Mmmmm, strawberries.

I truly believe there is no better taste on this earth than a strawberry picked right from the vine and placed straight into my mouth!

Kylie and I happily braved the overcast sky and soggy earth to go on our first strawberry picking trip of the summer. It was well worth the trip; the berries were huge! Plenty to pick from, but the owner told me they'll probably be picked out by tomorrow afternoon until the next bunch ripens. And they put plenty of straw on the ground between the rows, so it wasn't muddy at all.

Kylie absolutely loves looking for the reddest berries...and of course she thinks being able to eat them right off the vine is just the coolest thing in the world. She must have told me at least fifteen times on the ride home, "Mama, I love strawberry picking." So needless to say, we'll be returning plenty of times this summer.

We go to Doles Orchard in Limington. They have a lot of different varieties of strawberries, so they'll have them into the fall. But they'll also have raspberries, blueberries, plums, peaches, and apples when they're ready. It's a family-run orchard and they are so nice and laid back; very family friendly. If you're interested in going, just give them a quick call before you head over to make sure they're not picked out. I've never had it happen, but apparently it does from time to time and it would stink to drive out there for nothing!

Now to make that fresh strawberry pie...