Strawberries

When my older daughter was almost two-years-old, I was preparing a flat of strawberries to freeze. She pulled a little stool up to the sink by me to see what I was doing. We talked about the strawberries. Then, I held out a strawberry out for her to eat. She pulled back and said, "No." She refused all the cajoling and enticements of "sweet like candy." Finally, I dried my hands and gently "forced" her to taste. Well, it took her all of three seconds to quit resisting! She stood on the stool and ate strawberries until I finally worried she would be ill. Then, I had to refuse to allow her to eat anymore strawberries right then. She pleaded. When she suffered no ill effects, thankfully, I allowed her to have more for dinner that night.

When strawberries were in season, sometimes I would give my children strawberry shortcake for breakfast before school. There were detractors of that breakfast, but the kids loved it. The shortcake was just sweetened biscuits made with loads of butter. The strawberries were sliced the night before and slightly sweetened and then mashed. My son hated the whipped cream, so I never bought it or even whipped cream for the shortcakes. They had a glass of milk. That breakfast was as nutritious as some kids ate.

I explained to their teachers it was not a bought shortcake. My kids were so happy on those mornings, especially since I told them the night before what they were having.

HERE are some fun facts and history of the strawberry.

Your turn
Do you make home-made shortcake for strawberry shortcake? Who loves strawberries? Raise your hands since I know your mouth is full or you are drooling. What do you do with strawberries? Do you grow them?