It's spring, crashing into summer with the last few take-forever days of school. Berries of every kind are popping up everywhere. My favorites are the strawberries.

Bright red jewels of flavor. There's probably some Shakespeare reference I could unearth if I weren't so busy reveling in the actuality of the things.

Slice them up, sprinkle them with just a touch of sugar, and let time work its magic. Eat them on anything, from toast to yogurt to ice cream and even angel food cake with whipped cream.

If the teenagers like them, that's saying a lot!

Strawberry yum

• 1 TBS sugar per pound of fresh strawberries

1. Slice berries and put in a pretty bowl. Pretty because the berries demand it, not for any other reason. Don't have a pretty bowl? Don't stress about it.
2. Sprinkle with sugar and toss gently. Let sit for 30 minutes or more at room temperature, until the berries start releasing their juices.
3. Serve over WHATEVER you have on hand!