It's been a while since Erika from Stampin' Mama and I have done a Bake It, Make It & Take It dessert/paper craft project together. Things have been hectic in both our lives at the moment. She's had lots of things going on with the kids and we're moving into a larger boat...more about that in a later post!
Where we live, strawberry season is in full swing. Lush and juicy, strawberries are a favorite of just about everyone! And if you really don't like strawberries, there either must be something wrong with you or you're allergic to them! I know of a few people that have allergies and I feel so very bad for them as this is one of the highlights of my summer. Substitute raspberries or blueberries!
Strawberries, Strawberries & More Strawberries!
Years ago, during our short 2 1/2 year stint in Pennsylvania Dutch country, we moved into a house that had a garden. The first week we were torn whether to empty our packing boxes and move in or pick the thousands of quickly ripening strawberries. The strawberries won out - the unpacking could wait - the strawberries wouldn't! I sent the kids out with buckets and we all sat there in the rows eating to our hearts content! It was definitely a bumper crop that year and I felt bad for the family that moved out just as all their hard work was coming to harvest. Truth be told, I didn't feel THAT bad!
We were in our glory! We ate and ate and ate! Our knees, hands and clothes were all stained red, but it was worth it. I made strawberry bread, Strawberry Mousse Pie, Strawberry Muffins, strawberry tart, Strawberry Cheesecake, pints and pints of strawberry jam and of course...Strawberry Shortcake! I froze the rest for future desserts. I think we were still eating them when the next harvest came around!
Buttermilk Biscuits, Sweetened Whipped Cream and Shortcake!
Anyway...Erika used my Strawberry Shortcake recipe from Suite101. When you click on over there, you'll find a recipe for Buttermilk Biscuits that were our weekly specialty for sale. Everyone loved them, not only for Strawberry Shortcake, but also for Chicken & Dumplings, plopping them on top of Beef Stew, an accompanianments to the best Vegetarian Chili or just slicing in half and slathering them with butter and strawberry jam! There's also a recipe for Sweetened Whipped Cream...yes, from scratch! Of course, the recipe also tells exactly how to assemble the perfect Strawberry Shortcake.
Another Cute Project from Stampin' Mama!
Erika then had to come up with a cute project and packaging for Strawberry Shortcake. You ask, "How in the world do you package Strawberry Shortcake?" Well, she improvised a little, because of course, you CAN'T package the finished product. It would leak all over the place and be a total soggy mess when the LUCKY recipient opened the gift!
Her project can be found just a click away at Stampin' Mama's blog. She stacked some homemade Buttermilk Biscuits in a clear cellophane bag. Colored crinkle grass made by using her crimping tool was piled inside the bag with the biscuits. Then she made 2 handmade cards, one for the front with a greeting "For Fantastic Neighbors" and the back with a recipe for the Strawberry Shortcake. The cute little package got all tied up with some pretty striped/polka-dotted ribbon in
the colors of strawberries and green gingham. Totally cool! You'll have to go over to her blog and she'll explain exactly what she did and what tools and colors she used. And while you're at it, take a look at the rest of her site. She's got loads of tutorials and CD's that she's put together. VERY talented and creative girl if I do say so myself! AND, if you act quick, she's got a
CONTEST going on right now until 6/16!
So, do yourself a favor one of these hot summer days and buy yourself some ripe and juicy strawberries, make a batch (or two) of Buttermilk Biscuits, some fresh Sweetened Whipped Cream and have yourself a party! But, don't forget your neighbors across the way. Save some biscuits for them and package them up nice and pretty. They'll love you forever!
(photo of strawberries by errika79,sxc)
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