"a traditional Canadian party, a strawberry social... is so traditional that no-one has written about (or could tell us) what it exactly is. It just is. The internet offers invites for local churches or schools, book or bridge clubs but no potted history, no explanation, and certainly no guide to holding one.
What we did learn is that strawberries have been part of celebrations over many centuries. In medieval times strawberries were carved around altars and church pillars symbolizing perfection, righteousness, peace and prosperity. The strawberry was known for its aphrodisiac properties and newly weds ate soups of borage, cream and strawberries. The strawberry is also known for its medicinal properties. As well as preventing kidney and gallstones, improving appetite and digestion and helping insomnia, haemorrhoids and bad breath, crushed strawberry juice and a beaten egg applied to the face removes pimples. Further, while on little known strawberry facts, the 200 seeds on the outside of the strawberry are in fact the fruit of the flower and the fleshy part is a vegetable. It’s a technicality but any good botanist would agree."
This year I attended the "Strawberry Social" at my mother's nursing home!
The strawberry short cake and lemonade were enjoyed by all. (My mother - who has lost her appetite for many foods - ate every speck of hers!)
Later we walked around their garden where I encouraged my mother to throw a basketball into the hoop! (That was a little hard!)
So we moved on to the pond to watch the gold fish swim around, nibbling on each other as they swam!
With strawberries and sunshine, it was a lovely afternoon to be outdoors!
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