Northwest Joy

Growing up in southern California, a small box of blueberries would cost $5 or more. Blueberries were precious purple morsels that appeared once every few years in a pancake or muffin. Once or twice I remember having a slice of blueberry pie.

One of the pure joys of living in the Northwest is spending a few hours each July at a local U-Pick blueberry farm. For a few dollars you can fill a large bowl (and a good portion of your belly, if you employ the old "one for the bowl, one for me" method of picking). Then comes the decadence of consuming the berries a handful at a time. Such indulgence was never allowed at the southern California prices.

Of course, one can always add to the joy with a bit of ice cream!