Now that Mom and D have spent much of their retirement in the NC mountains, they have gotten to know the locals and all of the best kept secrets. The other day, we all went to the blueberry farm.
As we drove up the mountain on a long dirt road, we passed grape vines and red barns.
Fences and walls were covered with flower pots.
We even saw this old house on the way still decorated for the 4th of July.
Once we arrived and were greeted by two Vizlas and a mutt, we entered this old barn where we met ladies working on needlepoint and folks visiting.
Wine tastings are held here in the evenings and it reminded me of the anniversary trip that Mr. and I took to Napa to celebrate our tenth anniversary.
I can just imagine being there in the evening with the lanterns, the view of the beautiful mountain in one direction, and the view of the blueberry bushes on the hillside in the other.
And just so you know, the bathroom was even charming. It was also open to the elements I might add. It occurred to me to look under the sink skirt just to be sure there were no snakes hiding. Yes, I said sink skirt and it was darling. Oh and no snakes BTW.
The blueberry bushes were positioned at the foot of the mountain and as we picked the berries, we climbed a little higher.
Because it was early in the morning, the blueberries were still covered in dew.
Oh my goodness at the blueberries.
Oh and by the way, they also have an apple orchard. Something tells me that we will be going back there in the fall.
Do you pick blueberries? Better yet, what do you do with them? I was given great advice many years ago on how to freeze them. Spread them out on a cookie sheet and freeze so that none are touching. Then place in a mason jar. When you need a few for pancakes, smoothies, etc. take them out of the freezer and wash before adding to your recipe. You can also use freezer bags.
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Update: The name of the farm is Old Orchard Creek Farm.
Link to the farm
See them on flickr
Your pictures are beautiful. . .Love that old house. Where was this? We're planning a possible trip to the mountains in August.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the bathroom situation though. . . .
Absolutely beautiful Rene! If you don't mind me asking, I would love to know the name of the farm. Would be a great trip in the Fall to pick apples.
ReplyDeleteWe went blueberry picking over the weekend. We eat some, freeze some and use some for blueberry muffins. Hoping to take some of the blueberries along with the strawberries and blackberries I froze earlier to make a mixed berry jam.
Mary Ellen
these photos are like professional!! i enjoyed them alot ty
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! We were recently in low country SC and picked blueberries at our relative's home. We always have frozen blueberries on hand. Love to put them on cereal. They keep the milk cold and it's like a little blueberry ice cube. There is a blueberry salsa recipe in Southern Living magazine that I'd like to try but need more blueberries as our are already gone.
ReplyDeleteI love the old farm house! I especially love any house that is decorated for Independence Day!! I have not picked blueberries, but I would love to start growing my own! Hope you have a great week! ~Andrea
ReplyDeletehttp://www.andreasattic-andrea.blogspot.com
I love this beacause I LOVE blueberries. This looks like a wonderful place to go picking. Beauty and blueberries...what a combo.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Love the house and barn. We went blueberry picking the other day; now I'm wishing I'd grabbed my camera!
ReplyDeleteI love blueberries and put them in my yogurt all the time. Also, blueberry pancakes. I have a few bushes that came with the house but they aren't doing real well.:(
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love blueberries and have gone blueberry picking many times. I have picked blueberries in ME, CT and even here in FL. I add them to a lot of dishes. I freeze them the way you described and take them out when needed or just to munch on a hand full. I made a fresh blueberry pie for the Fourth and am wishing there was some left! I am hoping to plant my own next year.
ReplyDeleteFabulous pictures! Love the farm house.
~ Tracy
I go blueberry picking every year. A guy in Rock Hill, SC has bushes in his backyard and he opens them up to the public. He is the sweetest man. But this looks like a gorgeous place to check out, too!
ReplyDeleteI always love your photos. Makes me feel like I am there! What a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteOh. That second photo gives me such a feeling of comfort. What a wonderful place, and that barn!! Oh my. I don't think I would have been able to leave.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful place. We also pick blueberries every year. I freeze most of of what I pick and I use a similar method. However, I just wash them and let them dry on the kitchen table without touching and then freeze. Works great! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI've never picked blueberries. I need to find a place to plant some. Since my grocery store gets quite a bit of money from me each week. I love them on my morning Kashi cereal! So glad there were no snakes under that there skirt!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Oh what a charming place! My parents own a fairly large blueberry farm here in Oregon so we def get our fill! I will have to tell them about this place!
ReplyDeleteRene, that looks like such a great place to go to for a wine tasting. Looks like the Italian country side.
ReplyDeleteNorth Carolina is such a pretty state. My sister lives nearby and it is pretty in all seasons. This farm is charming. What a wonderful way to spend the day. The blueberries look fabulous. You must have had a great time.
ReplyDeleteI'm clicking on your "follower" gadget right now.
What a lovely farm and I'm glad there were any snakes in the ladies room!
ReplyDeleteWe have 25 blueberry bushes, some over 8 feet tall! And ours are just starting to turn blue, but because we've had no rain I doubt they will be as tasty as they have been in years past! :(
I freeze them and use them all year long! Loved your photos btw!
Kat :)
I would make a pie or some blueberry butter or jam.
ReplyDeletepve
What a beautiful blueberry farm. I love farms that offer such a wonderful sense of old-fashioned country. AND I'd like to live in that gorgeous old white house you saw on the way. ; )
ReplyDeleteTrina
Oh we are in need of a trip to the mountains. Its been 6 years for us, our last trip was to Glacier national park. Beautiful pictures, looks like a great time.
ReplyDeleteLonden
What beautiful pictures and a beautiful area! The farm is like a place out of Martha Stewart! We have many blueberries in Michigan. I have picked them and purchased them from roadsides and they are so great! I freeze them as well just like you said and they are so great on a hot day and of course on pancakes! Thanks for sharing your day!
ReplyDeleteHello Rene'~what a beautifully serene surrounding.
ReplyDeleteWe had our first pickin' of blueberries this year. We had planted just a few bushes that finally yield berries.
Shhh, I'm going to tell you a little secret...when freezing blueberries it's not necessary to spread and freeze them on a cookie sheet first. Blueberries can go directly into a container or (plastic)freezer bag. I have several quart and gallon sized bags filled with blueberries. They were placed directly in their bags and sent to the deep freeze. You can even give em' a rinse before bagging. They'll separate out perfectly without a hitch.
Stroll on over for a cuppa.
Your company would be nice.
Sweet wishes,
Sara