Yesterday evening, we went blueberry picking at the
Yules’ small farm, which is located in Alvaton, Kentucky. We went last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, actually going back a second time with some friends.
This year, it was just the five of us, and this year, we were invited to stay for dinner.
We had planned on going last week, but Heidi and the kids had some awful crud/bug. Unfortunately but understandably, many of our friends who were planning to join us had to cancel because -- well -- they just didn’t want to get sick. Can you blame them?
So we rescheduled with the Yules and we’re glad we did.
We went out to their place around 5:30 pm and picked for about an hour, harvesting roughly 7.5 lbs of berries, which amounted to just over $21.00. In case you can’t imagine how much that is, think about those little, cube-shaped containers at the grocery store; they are a pint. A pint of blueberries weighs just under a pound (about 3/4 of a lb). So, if my math is correct, we picked about 10 pints of berries, a decent haul for 2 adults (and 3 kids under 5).
I realize that it’s blueberry season and that we could probably have gotten them from the store at about the same price, but I don’t think I can quantify the memories or the experience. Actually, I’m positive that I can’t.
The kids had a fabulous time and Lyliana was the best picker of all of them (although Calixto was the cutest as he would lose his balance and roll down the hill crashing into the bushes!!!). Even after Anastacia, Heidi, and Calixto had stopped picking, Lyliana would not. She stayed out there with me to pick an additional 2 lbs of berries. She was sweet, telling me that she wanted to stay and pick with daddy.
With the blueberry picking over, we all went inside their home -- a 2-story Victorian-ish complete with a nicely finished basement, a home which Channon built himself and for which he has many, many wonderful stories about. Making a trip out there is worth just hearing their life stories.
They fed us some wonderful corn, steamed veggies, and steak ---- yummy! The kids had hot dogs (but I think they would have preferred steak and they were very gracious about it --- so proud of their manners). Dinner started off on the wrong foot as Lyliana began to have meltdown, about which I don’t recall, but after putting a bit of food in her belly, she calmed down. Anastacia was a polite princess, and the prince was a pain in the .... well, he didn’t let Heidi relax.
After getting the sippy cup that he was coveting, he was content. And well, this was also after Pearl brought out some toys to occupy him.
Dessert? You betcha! ; ) Blueberry cheesecake, of course. I had more than anyone else because I had given Lyliana my plate which had ice cream which I don’t terribly like with my desserts. I had more cake because I HAD TO finish what Lyliana couldn’t. Guilty? Not a bit. Do you know how guilty I would have felt if that dessert had gone to waste?
By this time, we were all full of food but not yet full of conversation. The Yules gave us a quick tour of their home, including their first home -- the basement, which was finished, complete with kitchenette, bathroom, and three bedrooms -- pretty cool, I think. After giving us some history of their first years on their 17 acres, we went upstairs into the living room.
Channon brought out some duck calls that he had carved. The kids stared in amazement as Channon showed them how to use them. Apparently, Channon gets his craftsmanship honestly; his father James Yule is a world-renown duck and turkey call carver. Some of his calls have fetched over $3,000! From what I recall of our conversation, Channon plans on following in his father’s footsteps, which I have feeling he will have success in doing.
As much as we would have liked to have continued our visit, a different call was being made. These calls were being signaled by a 1 year-old boy. It was past his bedtime.
We left their farm around 9:30-ish, traveling up their long, winding, gravel driveway catching glimpses of fireworks being fired around the area.
Our night wrapped up quite late as Anastacia and I lit a few fireworks at home: some sparklers, growing snakes, and a few colorful fountains.
All in all, we had a fun pre-4th of July night. We hope to go out again before the summer is over. To catch some more photos of our visit, you can view them here:
Blueberry Picking 2010.
