There's nothing like fresh strawberries

I’ve never been successful at growing one of my favorite foods—strawberries—but I plan to keep on trying. There can be little better than plucking a ripe, red, berry and popping it into your mouth. Maybe the only thing better is to have a freezer full of them. To take a bag of berries out of the freezer around December or January might just raise the bar on the happiness quotient.

This year, as in past years, I’ve had to rely on others to raise strawberries I can purchase.

This was the week I was able to buy a few pounds of berries.
When I set out to clean my berries, I went to my favorite gadget drawer to pull out a tool I bought last year but didn’t really use much. In fact, I had almost forgotten that I had it. I’m so glad I remembered, because this tool made preparing my berries for the freezer. This usually tedious chore was a snap with this tool. I’m not sure where I purchased it, but of course, it is available at Amazon. Pictured at right is my strawberry huller tool. It doesn’t look like much, but it is a wonder.

The tool fits comfortably between your fingers. By pushing the green button, the metal prongs open and close. To remove the hull of a strawberry, simply open the prongs, push into the berry, twist, and remove. It is that simple.

A little sugar sprinkled on to help them macerate and these beautiful berries are ready to eat. I’m just thrilled to have fresh berries at my fingertips once again.

Processing them was so easy with this tool. I highly recommend it to anyone, whether hulling one small basket of berries or a large quantity. This sturdy little tool is up for the job. 

What is this plant?

Some time ago, I was given this plant by an acquaintance, though she didn't identify it. Or, if she did, I have forgotten. I think that was about three or four years ago.


I thought this poor thing was dead. For the longest time, it was a tiny thing that seemed to barely hang on. Then it was gone. But last year, I noticed a re-emergence. I'm always excited and usually excited to see what survives in the spring.

Throughout last year's severe drought, I kept watering this along with all the other plants I tried to keep alive.

The next thing I knew, there were two of them. This year, the thing seemed to just take off.

The twins, as I now call them, are about two feet high. They have pretty foliage with a five-leaf cluster at the tip of the stem. It also has a side shoot filled with berries.

On one of plants, the leaves have a red tinge. Whether the growth habit or the season is responsible, I'm not sure. The berries appear to be turning red as well. I hope they are bird friendly. If not, it is outta here!

I'd love to attract cedar waxwings. I saw one earlier this year, which was apparently just passing through. I want more!

My attempt to identify this plant has been rather futile. Try Googling bush with berries. Hah, the possibilities are endless.

My first thought is that it might be a 'burning bush,' although I really have no idea. I hope it isn't something that gets humongous, since if it got too big, it would easily outgrow its location right in front of the front porch. It currently gets part sun/part shade.

If you can identify this plant, please comment. I'd love to know. Thanks in advance.