Pickles & Pies

It’s been a bumper crop year for wild blackberries.  At least, in my neck of the woods.  I’ve been out picking almost every morning this week, and putting the bounty into cobblers and pies for freezing.  It’s a peaceful activity I really enjoy first thing in the morning, although I surprised a skunk and think I may have gotten into some poison oak which grows abundantly in and among the thorny brambles.  My hands and feet have been thoroughly doused with Tecnu and other suds, so only time will tell.   But now I’m getting that crawly feeling, like when you think a bug might be hitching a ride on ya somewhere.

The blackberry situation is in sharp contrast to the vegetable garden this year though.  We had a hard time getting it going.  Birds swooped in and either ate or replanted our seeds in novel places. 

And we had a vole that terrorized the peas and beans (chewing off the base of the stalks) just as they started to produce.  He (or she?) absolutely had no shame, coming and going in broad daylight as we toiled nearby.  Humane traps were set, but didn’t work. 

Finally, Grace got so fed up after discovering more carnage in the garden one day, that she waited quietly with a bucket and slammed it over the thing as it scurried through the fence.  

It was a cute little creature, we had to admit, but it was promptly re-located to a vacant grass field several miles away. 

No sign of trouble from that one now, but another one crawled inside the Mister’s auto and clogged up the mechanics!  We had to take his car into the dealership this morning for some dismantling and a clean-out, again, after just having had it serviced about a week ago.  On the way back home, we stopped by a friends place and picked up a bunch of pickling cucumbers (they had too many) in their garden.  I wasn’t planning on making pickles this week, but now that I have them.  I might. 

I’m still thinking about what I’m going to make to put inside the little bird bag too—thank you for all the great suggestions btw!  You’ve given me some good ideas to ponder while I'm filling pickle jars.

OK, it's time to do something with this bucket of berries. 

Think we can we stand one more blackberry cobbler? 

No problem.

 

Comments

[Molly]

We had just a few blackberries this year(none last year at all) but they were tiny, bitter things. I'm debating tearing the vines out(they are along our backyard fence and driveway) but ever hopeful next year's crop will be bountiful.

I could NEVER tire of blackberry cobbler!! Never!

[Ravenhill]

How very lucky you are to be in a neck of the woods with such lovely blackberries! We have many types of berries here but none of those around us. Your cobbler looks delious as can be!
~Emily

[Bean Paulson]

we're having parallel summers - something keeps nipping & killing all of my squash and beans, but the blackberries are in their usual splendor - they never disappoint! I'll have to try a gluten-free cobbler tomorrow :D

[Chris]

Looks wonderful. Blackberries are called Brambles where I live. And there's nothing like a Bramble and Apple pie. yummy

[Linnea]

I love your posts :o) They are filled with gorgeously yummy pictures. I'm swooning... especially over that cobbler. Keep pickin' those berries!
xox,
Linnea

[Susan]

That blackberry cobbler looks like heaven, especially with that vanilla ice cream ! Oh my !

[jerusalem]

Oh that looks sooo yummy!

[Becka]

We have an abundance of blackberries here too. Just made some delicious freezer jam.

[paula luckhurst]

I made a mistake: I wanted to post my comment here and posted it at Little bird bag. Sorry.

[Tina]

Regarding what to put in the little purse, how about a little change purse with some embroidery to match the purse and a little velcro closure for little fingers to open and put in a penny or two?

[Wonders Never Cease]

Can there be too many blackberry cobblers?
How I envy you! It's my absolute favorite! Even with the little seeds!
Becky

[Natalie]

Voles= aggravation
Blackberries= love peace and hope
... nature can be a tough one to figure out.

[Mo'a]

When my parents moved into their home 40 years ago there was a wild blackberry bush behind the house...we used to make cobbler and other good things from those berries. Now the trees around it have grown and there is too much shade for it to produce.
My husband had a mouse in his engine and had to have it cleaned out...poor little mouse.

[Lena]

Oh dear, I sure hope that the creepy crawly feeling has gone away, and that you're ok. A friend of mine caught poison oak one time, and it was not a pretty sight.
Those blackberries sure are though. I think they are the prettiest of all the berries, and that cobbler......my mouth is watering over here!

Take care, Vicki.

[sherry]

I hope it wasn't poison oak. There are much more comfortable excuses to take tepid oatmeal baths.

I was surprised when I found out that the wild blackberries that grow so prolifically here are an invasive species from Asia. I know they can be a real nuisance when they grow where they aren't wanted (to non-Norhtwesterners: think of kudzu with thorns,)but they are a tasty, fruitful nuisance. We usually eat all we pick raw, but this year we will have enough for baking even with just the thornless bushes in the backyard. I'll have to try making a cobbler or two myself (this weekend, when we are supposed to have another cool spell.)

[Kali]

oh yum! i cannot wait for berry picking season to arrive Down Under...this looks so delicious!