Every year we try to add some fun new things to the orchard for you all to enjoy.  They’re not always huge things that everyone notices but I’m really excited about two new things we’ve added this year!

We have a boat!  Yes!  We acquired a boat at the end of last season.  It was no longer in any condition to be used on water so we decided to make it a playground for everyone to enjoy! 

We did a bit of work on the boat to get it ready for you all but I hope that the kids (and adults) enjoy it this fall!

The other fun playground addition we added was a rope ladder course.  We combined four rope ladders with some sturdy posts (which we put in using our post pounder).  The purpose of this obstacle is to climb underneath the ladder without letting your feet or hands touch the ground.  Even Cedi can’t get all the way across!  And she’s my little monkey!

I can’t wait to here what everyone thinks of these two new addition to the playgrounds. 

Not only do the months fly by between apple seasons but the years fly by in our family too!

This shot was taken at the end of October in 2011 by Cory Schuren of Friends in Photography.  As I was preparing for this apple season I saw this picture and realized we probably needed an update shot since Pip is now four instead of 5 months! 

We had to change the pose up a little bit … but we got our updated shot!    Cory no longer lives in Wisconsin but luckily she was in town visiting and had a few minutes to squeeze us in for a up to date photo by the sign. 

I can’t believe how much the girls have grown!

Also … here’s a sneak peek at some new play equipment at the orchard this season.  We buried a boat in the backyard by the tire playground.  We’ve almost finished child proofing it for everyone to play on.  My girls have been enjoying it all summer! 

Our grill kicked the bucket last year.  Capri and I then waited in line on black Friday to get a new grill … I know it sounds crazy … but we did get a great deal.  It was worth the wait for Capri because she got a piece of candy when the waiting began. 

Anyway – what should we do with our old grill?  Not throw it away!  Never!

Nope!  It became our newest flower planter at the orchard.  I’m pretty sure this is my favorite one too!

Happy June 17th everyone!  Can you believe that the orchard will be open in less than 2 months!?  I know I can’t!

One thing that I love that we don’t grow at the orchard is strawberries!

Luckily, this year, our friends and neighbors over at Creek Bed Country Farmacy opened their strawberry for the first time!  They’ve been open since Monday, June 15th. 

This morning, the girls and I had a small breakfast (you have to save room for fresh strawberries when you’re planning to pick) and we headed over to the Farmacy for some strawberry picking!

 

When you get to the farm you can decide if you want pre-picked strawberries or if you want to pick your own.  Picking your own strawberries includes this fun wagon ride up to the patch.

We got there just after 8 in the morning so it was a little bit cool on the ride for the girls.  I personally found it refreshing. 

Isn’t the view of the farm just gorgeous from here?

Once we made it to the patch, the helpers indicated which rows we should pick and how far to go down on the row.  The girls got right to work. 

The berries are absolutely gorgeous!  And the picking is fast and easy.

I had planned on just picking a few quarts for fresh eating.  That plan changed quickly.  Before we knew it we had a flat full!

Pip enjoyed picking the strawberries very much!

Capri is a very dedicated picker!

And Cedi got into it more than she normally does too.  I think they tasted so good and looked so pretty it was just too hard to stop picking!

Of course we had to munch on a couple!

Three happy girls on the way back from a fun morning of strawberry picking!

 

My plans of three quarts quickly changed into three flats.  But – we did our ‘pay it forward’ for the day and dropped a flat off at my mother-in-law’s house.  She was beyond happy! 

If you’re looking for a great place for strawberries I highly recommend Creek Bed Country Farmacy!

Hours are:

• Monday – Friday: 7am to 7pm
• Saturday – Sunday: 7am to 5pm
• Pre-picked Strawberries: 8am until Sold Out

Please call the Berry Picking Hotline for updates before heading out to the farm.  608-635-8798

Use hashtag #creekbedcountryfarmacy to share your strawberry picking adventures!