the perks

[gfrancie]

Miss Biscuit is back to sleeping like a reasonable person and I don't feel like an angry zombie. Huzzah.

I have been picking blackberries. Our backgarden borders this bramble. It is kind of a green belt that borders the houses. I suspect if the ground was level it would be an alley but as it is part of a steep hill it is filled with enormous maple trees, ferns and wild blackberries. The trees provide a bit of shade in the Summer and the leaves provide brown material for compost in the Autumn. It is a good thing that it exists as it keeps the houses above us from falling into our houses in the winter when it is raining and there is the occasional bit of flooding. After blackberry season is over we will cut back a bit of the branches and bramble so it doesn't completely take over the yard. But for now there are berries. There are enough to feed the squirrels and birds and some for us as well. I have managed to make a couple of cobblers and provide snack for the kids. "here have some." I am now saving up enough (freezing them) so that I can make syrup and can it and maybe make a batch of jam. I am thinking blackberry nectarine. (a proper taste of August when it is winter)

I haven't been terribly enthused this Summer to make a million different kinds of jam. Some years are like that. I did make three different kinds of pickles so I can strut around the kitchen feeling kind of proud. I suspect that this Autumn there will be some serious apple-sauce making.

Comments

[cusackam.livejournal.com]

Our blackberries STILL are not ripe......... There are tons behind our back fence but still green.

[k425.livejournal.com]

Our blackberries are still not ripe but getting there. If you have a serious glut, have you considered blackberry rum or vodka?

Simplest recipes in the world: Stick berries in kilner, add a bit of sugar if you fancy, add a bottle of your preferred booze. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Put the lid on and leave the kilner in a cool dark place for as long as you can. We make this stuff in summer and start drinking at Christmas. The vodka mixes nicely with cream soda - the colour is beautiful, it tastes of slightly berryish cream soda, and then you fall over.

[k425.livejournal.com]

I say "if you have a serious glut". In our house? First call: berries to make wine. Second call: berries to make vodka...; third call: jam.

[gracefruit.livejournal.com]

After cleaning out 12 jars of uneaten jam from last summer, I lost the will to make jam, too. Have you ever tried or made apple ketchup? This is the one thing I don't find ignored in the jam cupboard.