Flower ~ to ~ Fruit!

Nine years ago, "Mr Ed" and I planted six strawberry plants On Crooked Creek.

Year ~ by ~ year we watched the plants produce gorgeous, delicate white blossoms to be followed shortly by small green fruit. BUT ~ we never had any ripened fruit. Birds, rabbits, squirrels ~ something always devoured the fruit before it reached maturity.

Over the years, six plants dwindled to three. Now ~ only one, lonely strawberry plant survives On Crooked Creek.

Our Spring temperatures have been all over the mercury On Crooked Creek ranging from 33 degrees to a record high of 100 degrees! The past two weeks we've seen showers and sunshine with temperatures in the mild 60's ~ 70's. The herb and flower gardens have managed to survive and thrive On Crooked Creek despite the unsettling weather.

As "Mr. Ed" and I have made our rounds to pull weeds and stake tender stems, we've watched ever so closely the progression of this lonely strawberry plant.

With ever so firm and even pressure, I picked my first ripened berry!!! Cradling it carefully in the palm of my hand, I carried it indoors and washed it ever so gently.

Even in my single serving ironstone bowl it looks minute!

Here the tiny berry becomes the star in my crystal salt cellar. I placed my first fruit in the refrigerator to indulge with my weekend breakfast. I was amazed that the fruit was a vibrant pink throughout. . . and the sweet taste was divine!

But , alas ~ what have we here? Can it be? Yes. . .another ripening berry !

On Crooked Creek. . .
This could be the start of something big!


Until next time. . .