"Look, puppies!"

We've been cooking fools recently.  

Strawberries are coming on strong and our local citrus is running strong.

I set aside a few gorgeous berries from Rodriguez Farm in Watsonville, thinking I would snap a few shots and share them with my people.

Apparently not.

The thing about using fruit picked at the peak of ripeness?  

So ripe the berries practically burst juice at the touch?

The fruit that makes the very. best. jam?

That fruit doesn't last long enough to be photographed when the light is just right. 

Instead I bring you the work of my personal, in-house florist.  My girl has the touch.

Speaking of ready to burst, here's a picture of my dear friend Mel who is almost done incubating.

Here's to a different kind of Independence Day!