Asparagus

Mother's Day Asparagus Picking

For those who don’t know our family picks asparagus on Mother’s Day. It developed out of one of the few good memories I had in my foster home. We would go every spring and pick it out of the ditches, (yes, you city people, it does grow there). So, one year when the girls were in their early teens, when they asked what I wanted for Mother’s Day, I told them I wanted time to go out in the country and pick asparagus. We’ve done it every year since. It is a tradition Jon and Amanda seem to want to keep too, so looks like Jeremy will be picking for a long time.

Some years doing this in whatever the day gives us in weather has been more entertaining than riding on the hoods of the cars. Explanation needed here I think… you see when we are in an area we know to have asparagus, instead of getting in and out of the car we hop up onto the hoods of the car and hang on, (sometimes for dear life depending on who the driver is, lately that driver has been Bill who’s mantra regarding picking asparagus is “But it’s only $1.99 at Walts!”). When we spot an asparagus we hit the hood to signal the driver to stop, slowly hopefully, and hop off and get it by jumping the ditch and picking it. Now being able to spot these luscious spears does take some getting use to. Last year I was asked to take an interested friend out and teach her how to do this. I took her out on the country roads and would stop the car in front of what I could easily see from the car. After about five times of her not being able to see them until I walked up to them, she blurted out, “I see it now! They look like little green peeckers!” (this friend will remain anonymous.) So that’s one description of what you look for. lol So here is a test. There are 7 asparagus in the picture below. Three in my hand. J.P. is picking one. There is one to the left of his elbow and one in the grass behind that one. One to the left that had already been picked and a grown out one, the bush tree like thing.

Anyway, it was another day of fun and laughter, the kids are so entertaining, and just enjoying being out in the fresh air together. Here are some pics to share. Yes I am the old lady in the hat and plaid shirt! (Have to have protection from sun and poison ivy.)

(Infamous butt shots!)

PUDDLES!

The end, all done! Now off to Marlana's where Jon & Marlana cooked a great dinner for us all!

It's a long, long road....













Forever Grateful, V