Easy Strawberry Gifts for Friends | Our Trip to the Strawberry Patch

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQPRqIHnuZogUE9065w-KM8stEyrBiW5DqQqSH19jabpGFZZAGSJRMCmwMQ8sgxZT4OscCbM6aUo5GXmkg2DexXcOiQhzfxZ0pCqU4_Ty1Ty4vHgsc7hr0IaLGMPPkZzauvA_0ffOhfIk/s1600/strawberry-favors.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQPRqIHnuZogUE9065w-KM8stEyrBiW5DqQqSH19jabpGFZZAGSJRMCmwMQ8sgxZT4OscCbM6aUo5GXmkg2DexXcOiQhzfxZ0pCqU4_Ty1Ty4vHgsc7hr0IaLGMPPkZzauvA_0ffOhfIk/s1600/strawberry-favors.png" width="374" /></a></div> Our entire family spent this weekend back at home in Lexington for my Mom's birthday.  On Saturday night we had a Shrimp Boil for her friends, and Sunday we got up for an early morning impromptu trip to the strawberry patch.<br /><br />There is nothing quite like 'real' fresh strawberries from the field.  I've gone on and on about 'real' strawberries in the past - see <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-day-in-strawberry-patch-with-emma.html">here</a> for some of my posts from previous years.  For now, I'll just say they are good.  So good - and fleeting - only good for a couple of short weeks (just after peonies and just before cherries...).  I love thinking about the calendar in fruit and flower seasons.  <br /><br />I have a list a mile long of what I'd like to do with these little gems (thanks to my Instagram friends!), but really, they are so, so good all by themselves.  I wanted to share this fabulously simple treat with some of our friends, so I packed some up this morning.  Simple and pretty packaging for simple and pretty berries. See below for packaging details. <br /><br /><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F06%2Feasy-strawberry-gifts-for-friends-our.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Xo9n6-voCqY%2FU43YJl1EB_I%2FAAAAAAAAW-I%2FKEkPzxFfHvM%2Fs1600%2Fstrawberry-favors.png&description=Strawberry%20Favors%20%26%20Gifts%20%7C%20Fresh%20Picked%20Easy%20Homemade%20Strawberry%20Gifts"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />Now, for some details about or morning at the patch...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibizmVn4GRYKRD04ohjdmhMhALZnmTL80aiAbVkVYnS5G4N4wzQmuCz3E05YHwJqVYMo2OrPa0kZXOnhZc6mzP95T0udCAPxJoYa0QHRh1dL1C6QkqPkl6V0zQPse74gGrSU2FDzX28CeA/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibizmVn4GRYKRD04ohjdmhMhALZnmTL80aiAbVkVYnS5G4N4wzQmuCz3E05YHwJqVYMo2OrPa0kZXOnhZc6mzP95T0udCAPxJoYa0QHRh1dL1C6QkqPkl6V0zQPse74gGrSU2FDzX28CeA/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Fahrmeier Farms is conveniently just down the road from my parents' house in Lexington, Mo and even more conveniently owned by my cousins, the Fahrmeiers.  If you're local, they have another week or so of picking left.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNc8lBGMz8rH98xpFGx52zm2TEVWwJ246doeiMFH69bj1eUL1wVXUb4t-lx5V3FTyPiMl9OxrYnV5gZPE5s5RAStOYA5T0KtAlCXCIVqT-q7jQSBi6G6YaUHYEruf5g73FG1hF_ut0TY8/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNc8lBGMz8rH98xpFGx52zm2TEVWwJ246doeiMFH69bj1eUL1wVXUb4t-lx5V3FTyPiMl9OxrYnV5gZPE5s5RAStOYA5T0KtAlCXCIVqT-q7jQSBi6G6YaUHYEruf5g73FG1hF_ut0TY8/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" width="640" /></a>  <br />Pack a lunch and enjoy this stunning view while you snack on your harvest.  Here is a link to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FahrmeiersMarket">facebook page</a> for more info.   Check the page before you go to make sure they still have berries for picking.  This is the same farm that specializes in heirloom tomatoes - I'll be sharing plenty of those with you in another month or so.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvG9fLWrvW4XIZBZNyh7QZb1PmQ0dJPvmRouXnw0cid9SKP3Ll6JZKCp2DXVwsUtQmuUmv5BzsFL1VEgxyU-xZ9RkFbEHnLsGdKij3SCqfVWHraFQil0SpLk22pUy6m2pN5ejxOE1BWt4/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvG9fLWrvW4XIZBZNyh7QZb1PmQ0dJPvmRouXnw0cid9SKP3Ll6JZKCp2DXVwsUtQmuUmv5BzsFL1VEgxyU-xZ9RkFbEHnLsGdKij3SCqfVWHraFQil0SpLk22pUy6m2pN5ejxOE1BWt4/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Best buds ready for picking.  And yes, Emma is wearing a princess dress.  As I said, we were at her Moo-Moo's house for the weekend, and the first thing she does when we arrive is run up and put a dress on from Moo-Moo's trunk.  There's no fighting it... apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree (as I'm often reminded). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVrzfR7CA9KzcdaLHrBaSewvaHrmo4TbTsgYgVZon5H2dS6iVc9N_8wh8TGJOOElBiUn2B0UICUQbiXBxL-SSyqgAvqJZlHIEU_KfsBx2yLMqR4mMEY0AN5C7-_8JlyWjH-8pvb-TME5M/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVrzfR7CA9KzcdaLHrBaSewvaHrmo4TbTsgYgVZon5H2dS6iVc9N_8wh8TGJOOElBiUn2B0UICUQbiXBxL-SSyqgAvqJZlHIEU_KfsBx2yLMqR4mMEY0AN5C7-_8JlyWjH-8pvb-TME5M/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hexKItph_WeHTEkyQW3kiTdu79GoOxQliiBEFD-Ghz_lV9gNpLRLyZxXvOcXa8pEQznEHGwHJYmqI2ptCtqgL3yj0peU71ZCfQAaTxcmWe6gcjxNw0vhaIfvWrs08czoElfiF_XKdR8C/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hexKItph_WeHTEkyQW3kiTdu79GoOxQliiBEFD-Ghz_lV9gNpLRLyZxXvOcXa8pEQznEHGwHJYmqI2ptCtqgL3yj0peU71ZCfQAaTxcmWe6gcjxNw0vhaIfvWrs08czoElfiF_XKdR8C/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwQkFoxoATSqM4QWIoqEqE1YOTg5WNKY30Wt2MKao3fZNyZASsqJPzrNh_YPH5wKiVnHFK0aN_D9QFRhyphenhyphenym_2T6biM7rMdIQ1AAR7C-Pb_0ycLv6jP4vRjpQrX0Q08fW_mNR6d_oKuQVF/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwQkFoxoATSqM4QWIoqEqE1YOTg5WNKY30Wt2MKao3fZNyZASsqJPzrNh_YPH5wKiVnHFK0aN_D9QFRhyphenhyphenym_2T6biM7rMdIQ1AAR7C-Pb_0ycLv6jP4vRjpQrX0Q08fW_mNR6d_oKuQVF/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Family affair.  And no, Mike and my Dad are not playing football. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCvTKRXd1665scJJ_2fuSfoTHEuk2xLNChv4_rnBZFnVqGcxhZLsr45dR7cBazo495UofIwasL34NOSlB65HhyphenhyphenhOSip_kC45xUo6ijCUJX6sODezAV84M6UFH_CJUljnRyJ7D16OjPUVO/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCvTKRXd1665scJJ_2fuSfoTHEuk2xLNChv4_rnBZFnVqGcxhZLsr45dR7cBazo495UofIwasL34NOSlB65HhyphenhyphenhOSip_kC45xUo6ijCUJX6sODezAV84M6UFH_CJUljnRyJ7D16OjPUVO/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Princesses love strawberries... and dirt.<br /><br />We're headed to Sam's house in a little while to spend the weekend and I'm planning a scavenger hunt for the girls... any ideas?  I haven't done one of these in about 25 years : )<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoZsDusMxvhmRKVRA8t1bwi4Iiphmn3k9l7lig5uUZN8jiFMCsp4c8O_-fKmlKz2_HjjxARQmKXfLvPssJ5hX7ZDROhV0sbdHZlKPi8zPuzuuBIHlkXU7huv7BWuc_QmltS_Ng-ruo5RD/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoZsDusMxvhmRKVRA8t1bwi4Iiphmn3k9l7lig5uUZN8jiFMCsp4c8O_-fKmlKz2_HjjxARQmKXfLvPssJ5hX7ZDROhV0sbdHZlKPi8zPuzuuBIHlkXU7huv7BWuc_QmltS_Ng-ruo5RD/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGQEbtyuP-hW89sQ1MPGGIcq0WRQnvlc-bwNy2PfMUaTQ1XcM6NziCDzKR4jJA2kwIIve4eqOADxRMM_1pQbpdm_jmn_sHfYUhCObKk7FesDin706O_hbKt2mbJOgZHJrR9liKpP52RVG/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGQEbtyuP-hW89sQ1MPGGIcq0WRQnvlc-bwNy2PfMUaTQ1XcM6NziCDzKR4jJA2kwIIve4eqOADxRMM_1pQbpdm_jmn_sHfYUhCObKk7FesDin706O_hbKt2mbJOgZHJrR9liKpP52RVG/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Products from my store that I used to pack up the little baskets for friends : <br /><br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/baking-supplies/products/wooden-baking-baskets-set-of-6">Wooden Baking Baskets</a> (small size)<br /><br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/packaging/products/cello-bags-mini-small-medium-large">Large Cello Bags</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/packaging">Everyday Tags & Cards (in Papaya Pashmina & Concord Green... Emma's Pink would look so cute, too!)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/packaging/products/cotton-ribbon">Cotton Ribbon (thin)</a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7C4vzXogg2M1VYvmTj4Y3qO-vb8O3L_ZVt8nm_mHdTS4V4ZosZ3b73g5XSMgPwWnxGGZkU7xJ-oIkYQISomIdKIiXMt6N5SXNtd-6ynpmbAdvs96H20XjgLJ_AphjmpPlQE_AHc5j67Y/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7C4vzXogg2M1VYvmTj4Y3qO-vb8O3L_ZVt8nm_mHdTS4V4ZosZ3b73g5XSMgPwWnxGGZkU7xJ-oIkYQISomIdKIiXMt6N5SXNtd-6ynpmbAdvs96H20XjgLJ_AphjmpPlQE_AHc5j67Y/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love having all of this supplies for making gifts at a moment's notice... it is always the kind of thing we always mean to do, but never get around to actually doing ;) </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejrKuCPO_MbcXiwzbaJN_tk4uCQgH16HYD6vIqkw49rLWfox0qkHharlpmA02uH8IiggTr1qrgAuS290usbfRur-w21Ofbjd1IbQhUPzdFgNLfL20vCOW7a_9IRBcalAvN4UaKZX8HpPy/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejrKuCPO_MbcXiwzbaJN_tk4uCQgH16HYD6vIqkw49rLWfox0qkHharlpmA02uH8IiggTr1qrgAuS290usbfRur-w21Ofbjd1IbQhUPzdFgNLfL20vCOW7a_9IRBcalAvN4UaKZX8HpPy/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJhJOSl_TNkTH11CvrYZn1nkaA8jchbtKATyxd3oQ9ziNo185gRTc4K-9prOwI0jYh-RMWtjeOhFD0kx3vBIkEymdezyLMXoXqTZ0TRrMW1QvnL4ujfSSAxDnSGneSBiWX8le4HLspRj1/s1600/IMG_1481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJhJOSl_TNkTH11CvrYZn1nkaA8jchbtKATyxd3oQ9ziNo185gRTc4K-9prOwI0jYh-RMWtjeOhFD0kx3vBIkEymdezyLMXoXqTZ0TRrMW1QvnL4ujfSSAxDnSGneSBiWX8le4HLspRj1/s1600/IMG_1481.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />You could also include some sugared scones with the berries for a make-your-own Strawberry Shortcake kit - that would be darling.  <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3AtckTrRXspwI_XdWXG9XAoe9oOsC88EOTK5rXiwuzERIUnNpOO1k5c3BL3ynkSl992BIzDDLRiZ-B5W_dl4IfFUPaSTsCR2H0SKKV-W3s1rlPSR54h3V4QtTUqlH5ruunrY7tRWpFGN/s1600/IMG_1493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3AtckTrRXspwI_XdWXG9XAoe9oOsC88EOTK5rXiwuzERIUnNpOO1k5c3BL3ynkSl992BIzDDLRiZ-B5W_dl4IfFUPaSTsCR2H0SKKV-W3s1rlPSR54h3V4QtTUqlH5ruunrY7tRWpFGN/s1600/IMG_1493.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />So nice to be able to start the week by making something beautiful for someone else - in literally less than 10 minutes. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F06%2Feasy-strawberry-gifts-for-friends-our.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Xo9n6-voCqY%2FU43YJl1EB_I%2FAAAAAAAAW-I%2FKEkPzxFfHvM%2Fs1600%2Fstrawberry-favors.png&description=Strawberry%20Favors%20%26%20Gifts%20%7C%20Fresh%20Picked%20Easy%20Homemade%20Strawberry%20Gifts"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWv_HJFfsusLMDtdQ6a0hI9BNqy-BR81SwB3XZja42FzaK6DgN4Nr5Utc6pPOn_S_W6BpNmNvWJv7XImhD-9WU4OOmf38zOk7E8dvVEkxP2Emxu_JWdM2sdGKIv6UEskRSGwk-AAfPBH6/s1600/IMG_1453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWv_HJFfsusLMDtdQ6a0hI9BNqy-BR81SwB3XZja42FzaK6DgN4Nr5Utc6pPOn_S_W6BpNmNvWJv7XImhD-9WU4OOmf38zOk7E8dvVEkxP2Emxu_JWdM2sdGKIv6UEskRSGwk-AAfPBH6/s1600/IMG_1453.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Meanwhile, this is happening in my kitchen right now... Emma better hurry home from school!

Easy Strawberry Gifts for Friends | Our Trip to the Strawberry Patch

 Our entire family spent this weekend back at home in Lexington for my Mom's birthday.  On Saturday night we had a Shrimp Boil for her f...

Read more »

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7xNslI-sEyHFkAvXxM4gzw8F1l7CYsHJwgOHc-Cp77YUeqgic-ahkpkn7yBpwES5w0ZmdHRUUYXBs4Ff-KtakIZy1dfB4vTfkH5LLU1kjrioIRwS4-Y07WCyfNczg95KRH_dsvKYGyY/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7xNslI-sEyHFkAvXxM4gzw8F1l7CYsHJwgOHc-Cp77YUeqgic-ahkpkn7yBpwES5w0ZmdHRUUYXBs4Ff-KtakIZy1dfB4vTfkH5LLU1kjrioIRwS4-Y07WCyfNczg95KRH_dsvKYGyY/s640/IMG_1284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv_cC4_Lmy_oOZmTURU3qiG7oT9eGPEboEmpGO0aO_5K1u1WA1WlTaQS29lID_TK8Pc5IH8qghh-DB8Cz-RTmmA2NlXpxtfJnArONL50FWaunSlFb3EckxQddqVmz5EV4ql6kJ9GOAYE/s1600/strawberry-cupcakes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv_cC4_Lmy_oOZmTURU3qiG7oT9eGPEboEmpGO0aO_5K1u1WA1WlTaQS29lID_TK8Pc5IH8qghh-DB8Cz-RTmmA2NlXpxtfJnArONL50FWaunSlFb3EckxQddqVmz5EV4ql6kJ9GOAYE/s640/strawberry-cupcakes.jpg" width="425" /></a>We have some special visitors coming to our house this weekend - Samantha and Baby Kate are going to be spending the night with us!  I'm planning a fun Cinderella movie night - the girls will be making their own pizzas and rice krispies with sprinkles.  </div><br />I wanted them to have another treat, too, for when they arrived so she knows how excited we are to have her.  Sam's a girly girl and loves anything with icing, so I thought these strawberry cupcakes would completely delight her.  And, after <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-day-in-strawberry-patch-with-emma.html">our trip to the Strawberry Patch</a> we had to find a way to use all of our strawberries...<br /><br /><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F06%2Ffresh-strawberry-cupcakes-with.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-oEz_WH1vz5k%2FUbDc6KT7oLI%2FAAAAAAAASvg%2F-pY5pyuPY8k%2Fs640%2Fstrawberry-cupcakes.jpg&description=Fresh%20Strawberry%20Cupcakes...%20with%20Strawberry%20Cream%20Cheese%20Frosting"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pQV1t_H_LGFkJsq_K7vieNZl_ku24FmiSQA3Zmd-WlmETkkb4l228p4FeJGtrjvSH3DfDvEqcQ5S-VrkpUCUk30KP7M-SN7UIV1kIY6fT7eYBBJfuGXzWHj23l-VETMShR7pxZWwoOY/s640/IMG_1215.JPG" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some of our fresh from the field strawberries.  Many of the other pickers were picking 2 and 3 flats of berries, but as I said in our post, our trip to the berry patch was more about Emma having fun, so when she was done, we were done... which resulted in about 3 pounds.  Just enough to eat all we wanted and enough for this batch of strawberries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH1Wqdk59PeYvUvuzDDXTquKRmo-tgMiccGJdL6ORJ9ekKxRfMe-oDw2D2JxhwfyRCri6Nok_o9bXE18o485L0GMjHlHUZ-P11l14vuFDjiz8iUlkYjcvaxBRCDkl1hu-cHFc6G1BUKU/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH1Wqdk59PeYvUvuzDDXTquKRmo-tgMiccGJdL6ORJ9ekKxRfMe-oDw2D2JxhwfyRCri6Nok_o9bXE18o485L0GMjHlHUZ-P11l14vuFDjiz8iUlkYjcvaxBRCDkl1hu-cHFc6G1BUKU/s640/IMG_1218.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm usually a white paper cupcake liner type of girl, but I just love these and thought they would make them a little more fun for the girls.  <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/baking-supplies">Here is a link to all of my favorite baking supplies and cupcake liners in my store. </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU7khKC4fl6OjBmOFnY7eQJuDkXusUSPYaYpyNWjgwHDUWs8Q_HbCnN1uaB8TUDk6x0eBj0NkSUl6B1keajVPyN_aoI97cKB8P9g0sqg1CoEH-OVgiQgt0L8euVWe4RrhXX0L0QISNJ0/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU7khKC4fl6OjBmOFnY7eQJuDkXusUSPYaYpyNWjgwHDUWs8Q_HbCnN1uaB8TUDk6x0eBj0NkSUl6B1keajVPyN_aoI97cKB8P9g0sqg1CoEH-OVgiQgt0L8euVWe4RrhXX0L0QISNJ0/s640/IMG_1256.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The icing is a cream cheese icing with diced fresh strawberries mixed in - the pale pink color is completely from the strawberries mixed in the icing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvvEo428KY9S5iWLhsBvX2Fp37vxkRaPp4-KldTHcXDFHHvN-z10qSVoECm_wPF55bVnDOCcXiqxithFqjlUeSjMvbkZstfIyiACZ2A7Ijp_CNckr51-vQyLp0OukvcwBkNNNB5qSL14/s1600/IMG_1271.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvvEo428KY9S5iWLhsBvX2Fp37vxkRaPp4-KldTHcXDFHHvN-z10qSVoECm_wPF55bVnDOCcXiqxithFqjlUeSjMvbkZstfIyiACZ2A7Ijp_CNckr51-vQyLp0OukvcwBkNNNB5qSL14/s400/IMG_1271.jpg" width="266" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fresh</i> <i>Strawberry</i> <i> </i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Cupcakes</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting</span> </i></span><br /><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F06%2Ffresh-strawberry-cupcakes-with.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-oEz_WH1vz5k%2FUbDc6KT7oLI%2FAAAAAAAASvg%2F-pY5pyuPY8k%2Fs640%2Fstrawberry-cupcakes.jpg&description=Fresh%20Strawberry%20Cupcakes...%20with%20Strawberry%20Cream%20Cheese%20Frosting"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a><br /><br /><i>New! <a href="http://mad.ly/signups/118273/join"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f8;">Printable Recipes</span>, here.</a></i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 white cake (mix or homemade)</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup of strawberries, diced</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 drop of red food coloring </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">....</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 stick of butter, softened</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 ounces of cream cheese, softened</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 cups of powdered sugar</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup of strawberries, diced</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">whole strawberries, garnish </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prepare cake as directed then mix in diced strawberries.  Pour batter into paper-lined cupcake tins.   Bake as directed.  Let cool.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">For frosting, mix together butter and cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and strawberries.  Mix on medium for 3-4 minutes.  When cupcakes are cool, frost generously and top with a strawberry.  Refrigerate.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><i> </i></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsHnSBmP6D8YtwaVRvD-b4_q1pEYuzgNQJB2ucgva9bFbGvkilFmoIf_ezvvQI_UxP0wTH_zccHJqeaS7KS4NwzF5ASdY3aA_vhy7WCf4nyB-2SvGZ-mVqz0vI0X8edr18dTLtoqg7q4/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsHnSBmP6D8YtwaVRvD-b4_q1pEYuzgNQJB2ucgva9bFbGvkilFmoIf_ezvvQI_UxP0wTH_zccHJqeaS7KS4NwzF5ASdY3aA_vhy7WCf4nyB-2SvGZ-mVqz0vI0X8edr18dTLtoqg7q4/s640/IMG_1221.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />I added just a drop of red food coloring to the batter because otherwise the baked strawberries make a brown colored cupcake.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkgmv5gXgNZ3LkUKu147fKiVMOQ0WZEqJr4UhlbE4W7FqURY46OHxnD2QtZo45jCRNyFoD-T3-Stoq5jSF2w6saoTLynTnVnJDR6SHBQ4HF-f0rWJUhYW07twm1wAxQKJZvYGM6Xl7eY/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkgmv5gXgNZ3LkUKu147fKiVMOQ0WZEqJr4UhlbE4W7FqURY46OHxnD2QtZo45jCRNyFoD-T3-Stoq5jSF2w6saoTLynTnVnJDR6SHBQ4HF-f0rWJUhYW07twm1wAxQKJZvYGM6Xl7eY/s640/IMG_1230.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fresh strawberries makes the frosting just to the perfect color of pale pink... no food coloring needed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN245EJIEL5UC_uyjco_IldX4Ol83RE2xlw3YOQFkSUhvY3XjxsiPVw4rZNf1iTMsjKN3JFlsJbrEKZpR4rMlPTHwBU318msUZvbR_QlBlLtcuPKx5y7UYsxPTj3LtxyDa9mqOzMsbow/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN245EJIEL5UC_uyjco_IldX4Ol83RE2xlw3YOQFkSUhvY3XjxsiPVw4rZNf1iTMsjKN3JFlsJbrEKZpR4rMlPTHwBU318msUZvbR_QlBlLtcuPKx5y7UYsxPTj3LtxyDa9mqOzMsbow/s640/IMG_1276.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mvRESLHeo8A74pQjk6LXtTnWAHu9if2Yzz-Z6s6D7SfXofEKc6mFZYJTg1Ehp7-IkmwVZtLNNAuChYIEujiNfdzoeX4n6j0pB8TVStTYP-Hfj5LofbaUenOanvYLTUpyqPrKtrI3V84/s1600/IMG_1298.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mvRESLHeo8A74pQjk6LXtTnWAHu9if2Yzz-Z6s6D7SfXofEKc6mFZYJTg1Ehp7-IkmwVZtLNNAuChYIEujiNfdzoeX4n6j0pB8TVStTYP-Hfj5LofbaUenOanvYLTUpyqPrKtrI3V84/s640/IMG_1298.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F06%2Ffresh-strawberry-cupcakes-with.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-oEz_WH1vz5k%2FUbDc6KT7oLI%2FAAAAAAAASvg%2F-pY5pyuPY8k%2Fs640%2Fstrawberry-cupcakes.jpg&description=Fresh%20Strawberry%20Cupcakes...%20with%20Strawberry%20Cream%20Cheese%20Frosting"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a><br /><br />Emma woke up from her nap just in time to sample... approved! <script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

   We have some special visitors coming to our house this weekend - Samantha and Baby Kate are going to be spending the night with us!  I...

Read more »

A Day in the Strawberry Patch with Emma

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeaHZvfeQSD93hEFsDtKRChyphenhyphenvdCOdFqgjz4DgpWXkYmrc7-JK2SoWOSkSyAC3yY21Az-6xbT1ijc-v1AdJmN14-DcPEA6ZlxVLwTSa-9ihaqQxbTQJCzO5FvFQFSRB9Qpgze_jZGTFqI/s1600/strawberry-patch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeaHZvfeQSD93hEFsDtKRChyphenhyphenvdCOdFqgjz4DgpWXkYmrc7-JK2SoWOSkSyAC3yY21Az-6xbT1ijc-v1AdJmN14-DcPEA6ZlxVLwTSa-9ihaqQxbTQJCzO5FvFQFSRB9Qpgze_jZGTFqI/s640/strawberry-patch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Summer's really not complete without a trip to the strawberry patch.  For the last two years, I competed in the Verrill Farm Strawberry Recipe Contest (which I never won...), but now that we're back home I wasn't sure where we'd go for picking.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLSeezrzRvovDF8m-3t9jWcMVGsUowwxKL2Z5rB_NVYud4foKrkzOxKYotAUXZEK7NWLTP6oytMkfd6s6Kn8Q7Blto92diflVMPXR_6Y1bB6hr9c0y1VP4cUr73Nu71lBAbVCS6fVpgM/s1600/IMG_1186.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLSeezrzRvovDF8m-3t9jWcMVGsUowwxKL2Z5rB_NVYud4foKrkzOxKYotAUXZEK7NWLTP6oytMkfd6s6Kn8Q7Blto92diflVMPXR_6Y1bB6hr9c0y1VP4cUr73Nu71lBAbVCS6fVpgM/s640/IMG_1186.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />Emma is just ripe for the picking age! Children are welcome at strawberry patches - they are just the right height.   It was so fun to see her get to explore and run and pick and eat without having to constantly tell her "no." <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvF3DOEKRhJ7tk9PQxms9Rs5WMnd8Z1eOJR8X9GT6YuwxirAX66By-CsBtV68C5uhnmYPAtaWuWifG7n7UV5b7cch7-Yb_TcPJjICNwqV12kYjlRuj3AedoHGXd55_3xwPBi_oza4djVM/s1600/SCAN0019_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvF3DOEKRhJ7tk9PQxms9Rs5WMnd8Z1eOJR8X9GT6YuwxirAX66By-CsBtV68C5uhnmYPAtaWuWifG7n7UV5b7cch7-Yb_TcPJjICNwqV12kYjlRuj3AedoHGXd55_3xwPBi_oza4djVM/s400/SCAN0019_6.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />When I was young I was crazy for strawberries.  I've shared this photo before, but it really is worth sharing again.  Here I am on my 2nd Birthday - complete with a "Strawberry Shortcake" cake and a punkin' pie haircut... looking so much like my Emma.<br /><br />Enjoy our photos from our day in the Strawberry Patch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvM0fVazOexjsdrqi4bYyMq-8uY1kJkFKFFyHDCucqCwcwcbHi4-PsKLfB1vLCm2JRo8SHZo8z6PMvyYdVu4x1Ths84h0xXmL4fzMCyrkZr3H3i0HaWFUBlF8U8JYGebVT1kMX2Wyz4o/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvM0fVazOexjsdrqi4bYyMq-8uY1kJkFKFFyHDCucqCwcwcbHi4-PsKLfB1vLCm2JRo8SHZo8z6PMvyYdVu4x1Ths84h0xXmL4fzMCyrkZr3H3i0HaWFUBlF8U8JYGebVT1kMX2Wyz4o/s640/IMG_1151.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At least once a week I try to find an activity that is all about Emma.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw1sXFtKLQZAB4clHCMqlY6EenDmVSxmxuyaLsJLriIeZdWVLp6I2EsmAMFHl_NviN2SuJnsGwDc1zTGs-K5b6eLHD0evaRWwXZh2Ef6eQJR9rCRzN8di98PctN_fKlqf2CtHDtipBvY/s1600/IMG_1168.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw1sXFtKLQZAB4clHCMqlY6EenDmVSxmxuyaLsJLriIeZdWVLp6I2EsmAMFHl_NviN2SuJnsGwDc1zTGs-K5b6eLHD0evaRWwXZh2Ef6eQJR9rCRzN8di98PctN_fKlqf2CtHDtipBvY/s640/IMG_1168.jpg" width="426" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes I feel like our typical days are filled with things she can't do - open certain cabinets, climb on the furniture, run down the driveway...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBHfmbuPwOaTOVhWJC4a2MhAQGJPiDlEndGm2v3IohIAquxx_2rebcs3HxOlwlTDeDkvk7QUrbs0wGndauU51NKJC7ZipFFl2Yhm1X91V6Ngy-8w_v3WY7JQfPzleEu6Oddq1dsY510E/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBHfmbuPwOaTOVhWJC4a2MhAQGJPiDlEndGm2v3IohIAquxx_2rebcs3HxOlwlTDeDkvk7QUrbs0wGndauU51NKJC7ZipFFl2Yhm1X91V6Ngy-8w_v3WY7JQfPzleEu6Oddq1dsY510E/s640/IMG_1140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />...play with anything <i>but</i> her toys, spray the windex, or run around Target like a madwoman.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbpkXQoTzP9VxIJ9YmOknKU8jpimGXS25DkxY0rrVYX_hAfkMQQDf4P7GhIT3SB_DiQbq8b3w91frHfDjxNeJ0iOmEzi-Zcd84DihipWnUbbYUZYldADWnEeHP6fgthC4EThdDi7E7vI/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbpkXQoTzP9VxIJ9YmOknKU8jpimGXS25DkxY0rrVYX_hAfkMQQDf4P7GhIT3SB_DiQbq8b3w91frHfDjxNeJ0iOmEzi-Zcd84DihipWnUbbYUZYldADWnEeHP6fgthC4EThdDi7E7vI/s640/IMG_1165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Both of us have so much fun when we do things and go places where she can have free rein and do whatever she wants to do without me holding her back.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzHo7b3F8549k2US3H65JOobMJZTSABmG0ufkjtb_Hm3ohG_3kz3pLE1z_VwEcI6maHk0dXwWrl56q01kghyphenhyphenlvQymjkOcMFziqMUqAr_bnppP4cNcBeRNcFNh0rVbBZUbnV1N2P5EKqM/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzHo7b3F8549k2US3H65JOobMJZTSABmG0ufkjtb_Hm3ohG_3kz3pLE1z_VwEcI6maHk0dXwWrl56q01kghyphenhyphenlvQymjkOcMFziqMUqAr_bnppP4cNcBeRNcFNh0rVbBZUbnV1N2P5EKqM/s640/IMG_1167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our special Emma days, I try not to have the camera in her face, too much...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vSSShlVso8Chk3gebylRhp6G8LgM7W-TmA8I48Bs5UMv2zUZNq-t_05B4ePNl6wC_PAJm7JM19HhjJPca-lSF16ox6juBIgsl1FCDbz7B4ocrPBD1H2aRU8fhjRimQDbpBpvvhOLGvk/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vSSShlVso8Chk3gebylRhp6G8LgM7W-TmA8I48Bs5UMv2zUZNq-t_05B4ePNl6wC_PAJm7JM19HhjJPca-lSF16ox6juBIgsl1FCDbz7B4ocrPBD1H2aRU8fhjRimQDbpBpvvhOLGvk/s640/IMG_1174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...or make her pose, or try to get the perfect shot of her smiling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUFGKqjMGAFuMrFob5lsj-5t5D4b0Qxodl2_wqXLV1g9VD0I-l0R1RectCcIi6oyJn-wvybEzGJAWPGqahY3X7z81ULkIB0UhnFgGHxNjEmkvTu8207jQ0nOEwk4Mpy4VwnXC7BrP6nc/s1600/IMG_1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUFGKqjMGAFuMrFob5lsj-5t5D4b0Qxodl2_wqXLV1g9VD0I-l0R1RectCcIi6oyJn-wvybEzGJAWPGqahY3X7z81ULkIB0UhnFgGHxNjEmkvTu8207jQ0nOEwk4Mpy4VwnXC7BrP6nc/s640/IMG_1191.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">  I just let her be and do whatever she wants to.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xVrLUQiIKRWDiF9hsQW-2qxkcTgnEkhVnxNHj3kfA6pK-0fGJZplxK27_2hsPFOvq5pWtKtc_flMe_Eme_HLzxgiWUWuNcn90s_swEpXtmQ_tXwT-HlJkb6t-JtzqTPkReuwttwI6xo/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xVrLUQiIKRWDiF9hsQW-2qxkcTgnEkhVnxNHj3kfA6pK-0fGJZplxK27_2hsPFOvq5pWtKtc_flMe_Eme_HLzxgiWUWuNcn90s_swEpXtmQ_tXwT-HlJkb6t-JtzqTPkReuwttwI6xo/s640/IMG_1201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Even if that means running through fields...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WKdIF8p1_UyzpUuAhLqoPWVAEYnc6M4xTl6M7tXzphXR_ah3LJUprLoqyf3vVssJGfOQyCcagXV4s9NYPnoRqkZF5DH89sllPZhtT3eGCK1SZ_zam1IXT-0PMH1ZgYUz5twPEGshM-w/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WKdIF8p1_UyzpUuAhLqoPWVAEYnc6M4xTl6M7tXzphXR_ah3LJUprLoqyf3vVssJGfOQyCcagXV4s9NYPnoRqkZF5DH89sllPZhtT3eGCK1SZ_zam1IXT-0PMH1ZgYUz5twPEGshM-w/s640/IMG_1202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosIb7UQiS0N2Ftn9RYovCaR4aOUSHJipGtiZS8B5JKvSuu0QAHqE8VbMIKSq6rDNGiIDKfH0xmiRBT3XbOYiofZDKMenGZUWJkDuwpXrtn5sLeyseIA7pVF7V7qgyM75YrnFTV1AmkTg/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosIb7UQiS0N2Ftn9RYovCaR4aOUSHJipGtiZS8B5JKvSuu0QAHqE8VbMIKSq6rDNGiIDKfH0xmiRBT3XbOYiofZDKMenGZUWJkDuwpXrtn5sLeyseIA7pVF7V7qgyM75YrnFTV1AmkTg/s640/IMG_1203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCO_rP0L10RSmXXKMMx9bPvrk8hz0HeheOwCf7bDBu8pD9ugF2R9ibOZ34GIBaCEfIN_ifxt5cckgcix55hEsqqaQ1Lb0cCUkwj8v4gKO7wz8DvRdj18Xr6JBaB2r-OBB6G84rq7hzHo/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCO_rP0L10RSmXXKMMx9bPvrk8hz0HeheOwCf7bDBu8pD9ugF2R9ibOZ34GIBaCEfIN_ifxt5cckgcix55hEsqqaQ1Lb0cCUkwj8v4gKO7wz8DvRdj18Xr6JBaB2r-OBB6G84rq7hzHo/s640/IMG_1204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdmxJh3AlSEH1rjn0uq3gxnwsG8wNPjZi7lqpVvmV6KlRFA0xK32HtISkijYHY_ZMjvlb19_uqJrBTPK_bZ7TfMeZOHcksHYr9MTeBoxKy04BjbzPj2HBHBrb4R4WfTAsZK2HJ9oemnA/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdmxJh3AlSEH1rjn0uq3gxnwsG8wNPjZi7lqpVvmV6KlRFA0xK32HtISkijYHY_ZMjvlb19_uqJrBTPK_bZ7TfMeZOHcksHYr9MTeBoxKy04BjbzPj2HBHBrb4R4WfTAsZK2HJ9oemnA/s640/IMG_1205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcv4z-YwuA_522IE1WTEz51sJoL0Q-DF9Q2TmJdUrcuzEf-1I03Y835ouDd6hFqlmUiC7ozuHjHDRxNuYeA_Vx-D7loBcwV2dtT191f1kp3Sv1QFfUZzBK-lgYdICUnp3bd9JwST534U/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcv4z-YwuA_522IE1WTEz51sJoL0Q-DF9Q2TmJdUrcuzEf-1I03Y835ouDd6hFqlmUiC7ozuHjHDRxNuYeA_Vx-D7loBcwV2dtT191f1kp3Sv1QFfUZzBK-lgYdICUnp3bd9JwST534U/s640/IMG_1206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She has a great time and I'm usually rewarded with a big smile... and very long nap-time in the afternoon!</div><br />

A Day in the Strawberry Patch with Emma

Summer's really not complete without a trip to the strawberry patch.  For the last two years, I competed in the Verrill Farm Strawberry...

Read more »

Strawberry Iced Sugar Cookies

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj472YQA0UVWQuTybWBZNUTmg-nuDxxYAXA3Ee70bdHfvDuYiipvZtM0nOsmE8U_ZVyOEcHEq1R4WOJMyojOF2Q6LkIUJ9GXSLVoUwfUeLrH13jfxa7D7gCa2GbXiKujira9iS6bMuxIT0/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj472YQA0UVWQuTybWBZNUTmg-nuDxxYAXA3Ee70bdHfvDuYiipvZtM0nOsmE8U_ZVyOEcHEq1R4WOJMyojOF2Q6LkIUJ9GXSLVoUwfUeLrH13jfxa7D7gCa2GbXiKujira9iS6bMuxIT0/s640/IMG_0549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3ytFNafSnnQ9PRwycfT8S-_SBBapBTtICgSIhguuNWWjv9yNjDEGflf5A26-DnapHBPhlrc9pbay8UNVvBGSq8M3_-iNHUo2NXt7lINheIf2gqVx5D0_r59tTsSnWhgCwHMCaxpzmjI/s1600/IMG_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3ytFNafSnnQ9PRwycfT8S-_SBBapBTtICgSIhguuNWWjv9yNjDEGflf5A26-DnapHBPhlrc9pbay8UNVvBGSq8M3_-iNHUo2NXt7lINheIf2gqVx5D0_r59tTsSnWhgCwHMCaxpzmjI/s640/IMG_0487.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3ytFNafSnnQ9PRwycfT8S-_SBBapBTtICgSIhguuNWWjv9yNjDEGflf5A26-DnapHBPhlrc9pbay8UNVvBGSq8M3_-iNHUo2NXt7lINheIf2gqVx5D0_r59tTsSnWhgCwHMCaxpzmjI/s1600/IMG_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a>For each holiday, Emma and I have decorated sugar cookies together and Mother's Day was no exception.  </div><br />You can see all of her cookie projects : <br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-day-sugar-cookies-heart.html">1st Valentines Day (2 Months)</a><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-halloween-making-emmas-lamb.html">Pumpkins (10 Months)</a><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-easy-snowflake-sugar-cookies-just.html">Snowflakes (12 Months)</a><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-sugar-cookies.html">Easter Chicks & Eggs (14 Months)</a><br />Strawberries (17 Months)<br /><br />As she's gotten older she likes to be more hands-on in the decorating process... no longer can I give her a cookie to play with while I intricately decorate the others.  So, I adopted a new, streamlined method for decorating. <br /><br />Instead of classic Royal Icing, I made a simple butter glaze that I pour over cookies when they're still warm.  The glaze covers the entire top of the cookie and the remaining drips off.  Then, I go back and add very simple details with a piping bag (usually during nap time).   I found that the butter in the glaze keeps the cookies really moist and tastes better, too.    And, as always, you can find my standby Sugar Cookie recipe <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html">here</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, Emma chose to sugar some of her cookies before baking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9b5HR4hVmpmY87CxvYpOmGB7sM-gKwOY0OjXw8pWPkqmAv-LBR7k99IQjKpuUvLK9yHmsMfEUj-DNxvGI5FfMv5Z6SPMKyhq2zo6xgJ3O7VXh_OlJRMowZ_38A6IuLck5jfEKhBrEY8/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z9Ud1blqZSGU4Hsw7_eBbydsFAOseTX4GWLjQeTDTzcmhjr2tWCevmYPkl_68hii5wCUu9aBzl1RQZcLCNXzDoqup9hpV77Ea1iRGVrZSQaqmSvbvgRjtYPxtYZ6C3wn-9CugTKdViY/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z9Ud1blqZSGU4Hsw7_eBbydsFAOseTX4GWLjQeTDTzcmhjr2tWCevmYPkl_68hii5wCUu9aBzl1RQZcLCNXzDoqup9hpV77Ea1iRGVrZSQaqmSvbvgRjtYPxtYZ6C3wn-9CugTKdViY/s640/IMG_0507.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9b5HR4hVmpmY87CxvYpOmGB7sM-gKwOY0OjXw8pWPkqmAv-LBR7k99IQjKpuUvLK9yHmsMfEUj-DNxvGI5FfMv5Z6SPMKyhq2zo6xgJ3O7VXh_OlJRMowZ_38A6IuLck5jfEKhBrEY8/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9b5HR4hVmpmY87CxvYpOmGB7sM-gKwOY0OjXw8pWPkqmAv-LBR7k99IQjKpuUvLK9yHmsMfEUj-DNxvGI5FfMv5Z6SPMKyhq2zo6xgJ3O7VXh_OlJRMowZ_38A6IuLck5jfEKhBrEY8/s640/IMG_0498.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Butter Glaze Cookies</span></i><br /><br />-Sugar Cookie (warm from the oven) recipe <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html">here</a><br />-Cooling Rack<br />-4 tablespoons of butter, melted<br />-2 tablespoons of milk<br />-3 cups of powdered sugar <br />-food coloring<br /><br />In a microwave safe bowl, microwave butter with the milk until the butter is melted.  Add powdered sugar until good, pourable, but not too runny, constancy is achieved.  Add color (see my tips here).<br /><br />When cookies come out of the oven, remove the cookies with a spatchula and place them on a cooling rack.  Place a clean baking sheet lined with parchment underneath.  Pour icing glaze over the cookies tilting each cookies so the tops are completely covered.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYxw-UKzIeK8v9s-UFKrqu6AzUEAzhkDvduso03-Y2Htrbnu0tC5efTm8SUJ1izxDAD1Ls7jsIzah9HHAtQz1SkQPRE6Lj5yTdrEZNYuPl_S7zE4JzNQcQGM75s10uzGug5rIbc8gIiM/s1600/IMG_0506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYxw-UKzIeK8v9s-UFKrqu6AzUEAzhkDvduso03-Y2Htrbnu0tC5efTm8SUJ1izxDAD1Ls7jsIzah9HHAtQz1SkQPRE6Lj5yTdrEZNYuPl_S7zE4JzNQcQGM75s10uzGug5rIbc8gIiM/s640/IMG_0506.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's a very serious and precise decorator - next time I'll video!  She'll spend several minutes on each one dunking, re-dunking and tasting.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1XPci4TMejbWz1ukobAveV55E0TVkpycs3JSxgll1UiLjwGg64rsYzmwPe3n2oLJ3OSzQQAGztBw2mniLwqR9mjU28T5nKNG21nysUoBulnQPRpujUwtLyKT9wJOW0kNm8dbX_spWzA/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1XPci4TMejbWz1ukobAveV55E0TVkpycs3JSxgll1UiLjwGg64rsYzmwPe3n2oLJ3OSzQQAGztBw2mniLwqR9mjU28T5nKNG21nysUoBulnQPRpujUwtLyKT9wJOW0kNm8dbX_spWzA/s640/IMG_0504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Almost nap time!  <br /><br />Speaking of strawberries - it is almost strawberry picking time.  Emma and I plan to be there next week during the first few days of the season filling our baskets!

Strawberry Iced Sugar Cookies

For each holiday, Emma and I have decorated sugar cookies together and Mother's Day was no exception.  You can see all of her cookie pr...

Read more »