Darling Valentine Strawberries at Fred Meyer

Our local Fred Meyer superstore had a really fun approach to Valentine's Day this year. In addition to aisles of paper valentines, heart-bedecked housewares for your kitchen and a special floral department set up to make and wrap arrangements, they had a chocolate-dipped strawberry station. 

I took a great photo of the large "long stemmed" strawberries (is there such a description?) and they were so red and beautiful, they could have been sold as is. But, the attraction was 2 gloved ladies from the bakery department in charge of dipping the strawberries in white or dark chocolate and then adding a sprinkle of red heart jimmies, sparkling pink sugar or a mixture of both. I didn't manage to get a picture of the final product as it was a well-oiled machine and I didn't want to interrupt. Once the lid was snapped on for sale, the magic was gone and the image would not have captured you, so I moved on.

I took a few photos and I wanted to share because it was all of the things Valentine's Day should be for adults. It was fun, pretty, delicious and spontaneous. I'm sure a lot of dads out there dashed into Fred Meyer to grab flowers or a card and were rewarded with a really cool, really memorable treat for his loved ones. Way to go, Fred Meyer!

#fredmeyer #onestopshop #issaquahwa #valentinesday #strawberrylove #strawberryfields #chocolate

Hydroponic Strawberries: Cedar Sol Hydro Farm Saves My Summer

We actually went to Cedar Sol Hydro Farm for their tacos. I know it sounds funny, but this thriving hydroponic business has also become famous for their homemade tacos and chips & guac.

My dad and I stopped for a quick lunch and were intrigued by their U-Pick Strawberries sign. The strawberry crop in northern Michigan felt late and small this year and consequently, we never made jam over the 4th of July.  

So here we were thinking, "Strawberries? Really? You have strawberries growing right now and all we have to do it is pick them?"  It was like someone saying they had a little snow in their backyard.  Now? Really?

We tromped down the track that led to the hydroponic garden and voila!

They have buckets and scissors available and we picked some beautiful fresh basically organic strawberries.  

We made a batch of strawberry jam this morning and I can't wait to eat an unreasonable about of toast and jam tomorrow morning! Thank you, Cedar Sol Hydro Farm for saving my summer!

P.S. They grow gorgeous lettuce too that they sell in bags at the taco stand.

Best Strawberry Freezer Jam

When life gives you strawberries...make freezer jam!  Ball has made it easy with a no-fail instant pectin that requires only sugar, strawberries and love.  

I wash my jars, lids and screw caps in the dishwasher.  I washed and hulled strawberries and put them in my food processor. I used short bursts of power to "mash" the fruit into jam consistency.  I mix 1 envelope or equivalent from a jar of freezer jam instant pectin (note that this jar has a purple accented label) with 1 1/2 cups of sugar.  Stir in 4 cups of smashed fruit.  Stir for 3 minutes.  Ladle into clean jars.  Leave the filled jars at room temperature for 30 minutes, then place in refrigerator for consumption within a few days or in freezer for up to 3 months. 

My parents and I worked in an assembly line and made 5 batches of strawberry jam with 6 quarts of strawberries in about an hour.  We have been having toast and jam every morning ever since. Yum yum yum yum yum.