The Art of Late Summer Living: Freezing Blueberries, Preserving Peaches & A Refreshing DIY

A Season of Abundance

       Late summer in the cottage kitchen is always a beautiful kind of busy. The garden is full, flowers keep blooming, garlic is hanging to dry, and the fruit trees are heavy with their gifts. This year, our counters have been overflowing with bowls of peaches and blueberries. Some are eaten fresh, some are shared with guests, and many are being preserved to enjoy in the cooler months ahead.

This rhythm of harvesting, preparing, and storing is part of the art of late summer living — bringing the outdoors in, savoring the season, and creating something simple yet meaningful to enjoy later.

Freezing Blueberries & Peaches

Freezing fruit is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to preserve the harvest. By flash-freezing in single layers, blueberries and peaches keep their flavor and don’t clump together, making them ready for smoothies, cobblers, and winter baking.  I use them daily in my smoothies.  

Here’s how I freeze summer fruit:

1. Wash fruit gently in cold water and pat dry.

2. Pit and slice peaches; keep blueberries whole and stemmed.

3. Spread fruit in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray.

4. Freeze for 2–4 hours until solid.

5. Transfer to labeled bags or airtight containers, press out excess air, and store flat.

✨ Best enjoyed within 8–12 months for full flavor.

Freebie: Freezer Prep Guide for the Cottage Kitchen

To make it even easier, I created a printable guide with step-by-step instructions and tips for freezing fruit, herbs, and vegetables.

 Download the Freezer Prep Guide here

Keep it in your kitchen as a quick reference whenever you’re stocking your freezer with garden goodness.

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DIY Cottage Refreshment: Blueberry, Basil & Lemon Ice Cubes

While some fruit gets tucked away for later, I also love finding ways to enjoy it right now. These simple ice cubes bring summer flavors into your everyday glass — perfect for guests, garden gatherings, or an afternoon on the porch.

✨ Ingredients

• Fresh blueberries

• Fresh basil leaves (purple or green)

• Lemon juice or thin lemon slices

• Water (still or sparkling)

🥄 Instructions

1. Place 2–3 blueberries and a basil leaf in each ice cube section.

2. Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a thin slice of lemon.

3. Fill tray with water, leaving room at the top.

4. Freeze for 4–6 hours.

5. Pop cubes into a pitcher of water or sparkling lemonade and enjoy!

🌿 Tip: Make several trays in advance and store cubes in a freezer bag so you always have them ready.

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Creating a Cottage Gathering

There’s a sweetness in keeping things simple:

• A bowl of fruit styled on the counter.

• Fresh cut flowers in a mason jar.

• A refreshing glass of lemon-blueberry water.

• A rustic dessert is cooling on the counter for guests.

It doesn’t take much to create an atmosphere of welcome. Late summer is about savoring what we have, sharing it with others, and carrying some of it forward into the months to come.

📸 Insert a styled lifestyle shot — fruit bowl, flowers, or a finished drink in golden hour light.

 Coming Soon: Rustic Blueberry Cake

Later this week, I’ll be sharing the recipe for a rustic blueberry cake — one of my favorite ways to bake for small gatherings. It’s simple, not too sweet, and perfect with coffee or tea. Stay tuned for that recipe here on the blog!

✨ Pin & Share

If you love cottage kitchen living, pin this post for later and share it with a friend who might also enjoy freezing fruit, making ice cubes, or savoring late summer’s beauty