Although I hate the hot weather of June, one of my favorite things to do is pick blackberries. I've enjoyed this activity since I was a little kid and my mama would take me and my sister wild blackberry picking.
I also love to eat blackberries--blackberry cobbler, blackberry jam, blackberry pie, blackberry muffins, just anything with blackberries in it--or just a bit ol' handful of juicy blackberries right off the bush.
This is me picking cultivated blackberries in our neighbor Paul's garden. Paul and Karen have the most fabulous garden I've ever seen; and when they're away on vacation (as they are this week), Vann takes care of things for them--watering, picking, keeping the armadillos at bay.
Finding out that there are BLACKBERRIES in Paul's garden, I asked if I could help pick this morning. I got almost enough for a cobbler. Tomorrow morning there should be more black ones. The bushes are loaded with not-yet-ripe berries, and it doesn't take them long to turn black.
We're also keeping Paul and Karen's granddog Kenley while the whole family vacations at the beach. Kenley is a 9-year-old Golden Retriever with a bad case of arthritis. (Kenley and I have a very similar gait.) She is such a sweet dog, and she has been Sophie's buddy for a long time. But Sophie isn't so sweet to her when Kenley is in Sophie's house. Jealous.
We also picked some cucumbers and just a bit of herbs from Karen's herb garden. (That's Hunter, a neighborhood lad, with me. He helps Paul a lot in the garden, and he helps Vann take care of it when Paul's away.) Since I don't know one herb from the next if they aren't in labeled bottles on the supermarket shelf, I'm not sure what I picked. But whatever they were tasted really great in the sauce I made for lunch out of fresh farmer's market tomatoes, garlic, green onions, olive oil, and Karen's herbs. I served the wonderful sauce over pan-grilled chicken breasts and angel hair pasta. The fresh-from-the-vine cucumbers were awesome on our salad. What a lunch!
In the mailbox today, I received my July/August copy of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting.
For a long time now, I haven't found a lot to love in the quilting magazine's I've bought. But this issue is packed full of great projects and info. I love the little cover quilt, "Cherry Festival." You can even order a kit to make it if you don't want to choose your own fabrics.
The landscape quilts in the feature, "How Does Your Garden Grow," will inspire you, and the "Tiny Treasures" quilt and pillow will make you smile. The "Feathered Medallion" quilt will make you say "WOW!! Cheryl Kerestes's "Butterfly Garden" will absolutely amaze you. A 1930s type pattern done in vibrant, modern fabrics, it's a masterpiece. But I think my favorite of all this month is Jill Reid's "Tussie Mussie."
There's lots more, but I won't spoil it for you. Just get a copy and see for yourself.
I still haven't quite caught up with all my e-mail, comments, and blog visits. I also have two Altered Playing Cards to do this week, since I didn't get around to doing one last week. And I hope to get the binding sewn on Andy's green quilt. Now if I could just get that blankey-de-blank fibro-monster-werewolf to go away, I'd be ready to roll.
In closing, I'd like to remember one of the funniest and most foul-mouthed men in history, George Carlin. George passed away on Sunday at the age of 71. I know St. Peter has been busy ever since, giving George "the talk" about why he can't talk that way in Heaven.
My very favorite George Carlin skit is the one about Kitty Cats. I don't dare post the You Tube video here for fear that St. Peter might someday have to give me "the talk." You can click on the link if you'd like to watch it. But read below first.
WARNING!!!! This video contains R-rated language. So don't follow the link if George Carlin language offends you. "Kitty Cats" is not nearly as bad as his "Words You Can't Say on TV," but there's definitely some language.
Rest in peace, George. And please clean up the language before you go before the Big Guy.
P.S. If you're up for a fun swap, go over to Sharon's Red Geranium Cottage
and join in her Cupcake Swap.
I think this one's going to be waaaaaay fun!
OK, I'm for real finished now. I've been trying to get this post done all day. It's now about quarter till seven, pm, and it's finally done. Good night, all.
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On 06/24/2008, TheSouthernMom said ...
Hope you get enough blackberries for a cobbler! I'm taking 'Bama girl out later this week - she's never picked any...I think it's time for her to experience the chiggers, thorns, and snakes! Makes them taste better!
On 06/25/2008, Lynne in Hawaii said ...
Ummmmmmm! The blackberries look absolutely scrumptious! We usually have fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, but we didn't plant this spring because we'd be gone for 3 weeks (leave Thurs). DH will plant when we return from the east coast. I sure pray that the fibro wolf will get off your back so you get to be your energetic self and pain free. Take care!
On 06/25/2008, Joan said ...
Blackberry picking is one of our Autumn treats here in England in September. So seeing those berries makes my mouth water already. Your neighbours are lucky to have you looking after their garden when on their holidays.
On 06/25/2008, Beverly said ...
Blackberries are my absolute favorite of all berries. I love eating them plain the best.
Too funny - I was thinking the same thing about George Carlin. It's a good thing God has a sense of humor.
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