Strawberry Fields Forever

I will admit, my favorite season is not summer. However, when I start seeing "life" come out the gardens, I get really excited. To me, late spring/early summer is about using the freshest ingredients possible. My husband works tirelessly on our own little homestead so we get the best veggies we could ask for (just wait until you see the lettuces!). We also like heading out to the local farms and grabbing what we don't grow. So today was about picking strawberries!

My son always likes to do a run through of the seasons and what special things we do during them. He lit up the other day when I reminded him that summer is strawberry picking time. Every year we end up so busy that we almost miss out on the opportunity. I was determined to not miss it! We went to one farm who claimed to still have pick your own, only to be turned away. This did not make for a happy boy. I had to look at that little face covered in disappointment.

We went home defeated. Had some lunch and a little rest and then I picked up the phone to check with another local farm. As soon as I heard that picking hours were ending soon, I grabbed the keys and we were out the door. We headed to Cider Hill Farm (http://www.ciderhill.com/) and had just about 25 minutes to run out in the fields and fill our baskets. In the intense heat of the afternoon, I plopped my son in one of their wagons and ran. I felt like Super Mom. And looking back at the smile on his face confirmed that for me. We worked fast and efficiently and ended up with 2 quarts of red, ripe berries.

We both were slightly giddy from excitement and a little delirious from the heat, I thought it would be an excellent night for an ice cream sundae. Not just any old sundae, it was going to be with cider donuts and strawberries. Oh...yeah...

Here's your "recipe":

Go find the best berries a local farm or your backyard can offer

I just love their fancy little hats

Find the tastiest cider donuts. I personally think Cider Hill's are the best (and I've tried many cider donuts before)!

Get your favorite vanilla ice cream. It needs to be a good quality ice cream. I was delighted to find Hodgies at Cider Hill! 

It's summer, allow for an extra scoop since it melts. Because then it doesn't count, right???

Warm the donut slightly (in a toaster oven or microwave) and slice your berries (make sure they're washed). Then just rip the donuts in pieces and mix in with the ice cream. Top with berries. And there you have it. A perfect summer dessert in my opinion.

P.S. I don't even care that the ice cream got all melty so fast. It just made it that much better.