Wednesday, June 24, 2009

sticky hands and full bellies.

Yesterday evening brought sticky hands and full bellies.


It's our tradition!
I have to have my sweet summer berries to use in the winter.
This year, it was hot, and it was sweaty, and it was sticky, but it was so fun!

Every year, it's the same thing-- we go down the thorn less rows, but we always end up at the thorny bushes. They have the biggest berries, sometimes the size of a 50 cent piece! And, they are the sweetest ones too--- no wonder they give a fight!

And every year, it's the same thing-- I turn my back and the boys are gobbling up my hard work! This year my youngest just picked straight from the bush and into his mouth! Delish!
And every year, we have to give ourselves black (berry) eyes.
Spooky!
I love the colors of the berries, sometimes a whole hue of reds, greens, pinks, and purples all on one berry. Don't try eating those pink ones though or your eyes will want to pop out! Sour!

The juiciest and biggest berries are always hiding under the leaves, of course you take your chances of also finding one of those big juicy green beetle bugs that like to call the berry patch home. As my oldest reminded me today "You pay for the berries Mom, but the bugs are free!" Free bugs! What a deal!

Well, the longer you linger-- the hotter your sweaty little brow gets, and the dryer your scratchy little throat gets, and the more those juicy-sweet berries just call your name! "Eat me!" They say! "Eeeeeeeeeat me!" Before you give in to the temptation and sacrifice all of your spoils, leave while you are ahead!

And then, go home-- and make a pie!

19 comments:

Tami said...

To quote rachel ray, "de-lish"!!! what great memories your little guys will have!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

What fun!

We just went strawberry picking and turned them into strawberry freezer jam...YUM!

I can't say I've ever gone blackberry picking. We've got loads of black raspberries on our property but very few blackberries.

So...what did you end up making with those beauties?

hope said...

Those do look delish!!!

And I see you figured out the big picture thing! They look great!

Jennifer said...

Wow girl-- you're pictures are truly amazing! And bugs for free, what a deal, eh? =)

Carrie said...

OK, where were you? Well, thats really not my business, and I took quite a break myself.
I missed you and I am glad to have you back.

Btw...Can I come to Texas and pick berries with you. Then of course eat up all of your yummy treats you make with them?

Kelly said...

Thanks sooooooo much for your email! I have missed reading your blog! Now I'm going to go get a cold drink and sit and read and catch up!
Chat with you soon!

Liz Mays said...

There's nothing like the taste of fresh berries. We live in a big fruit belt and so I can really appreciate your post today. It's strawberry time here and the locals are soooooo sweet and juicy. It only lasts about 3 weeks though so I'd better get out there and pick some!

Brian and Staci said...

Oooooh, I need to check our blackberry farm...we almost missed out last year!!! Thanks for the reminder...it always sneaks up on me :0 We've gone the last 3 years and it is always soooo much fun (and hot!) !! I'm craving a cobbler now :)

Tracy P. said...

Oh YUMMM!! Thanks so much for coming to find me! Now I wanna see the pie, and what other things you come up with for those berries.

emily said...

I love black berry picking. Your pictures are so much better than mine. what a photographer! Can't wait to see what you do with those beauties!

Letti said...

So do you have battle scars? I wish there were places like this around here? My kids would love doing this.

Kelly said...

May I just say how much I love your supersized pictures?
How in the world do you get them to post to that size?
Just curious......

forever folding laundry said...

Gorgeous pics...gorgeous berries! Looks like a great day!! Can't wait to see the pie. :)

~Keri

alyssa said...

how fun! enjoyed your music too ;)

Tabitha Blue said...

Ohhhh, we just LOVE picking berries... we just finished up strawberry picking, and we'll be moving on to some cherries very soon!! YUM


:)
~Tabitha

Dawn said...

Oh, I can't wait! I don't think we've got any to pick for a few more weeks, but YUM!

meg duerksen said...

reminds me of the book "blueberries for Sal"
those colors are so pretty.

the duchess said...

Great pics. You should pitch them to the farm for their advertising.

Trish said...

Oh, darn! I meant to pick wild blackberries while I was in the midwest. How did I manage to fail at that endeavor. I will be living through you, I guess.