Precious Delights Part II

Blackberries & Raspberries.  I planted blackberries and raspberries, knowing that they wouldn't bare any fruit this year.  But, I have had my fair share of wild blackberries growing in the edge of our woods to satisfy my taste.  One day, while I was out and about in my yard, I picked this wild blackberry. I wanted to save it for later, so I laid it down on the edge of my raised bed while I checked on the tomatoes. When I came back, I found this little guy, carrying his dinner home to his friends family.  I was hoping he was only taking a detour, because I sure wasn't going to share my first blackberry of the season with him.  After all, he obviously had his own dinner! Nature sure is a blessing!

My planted blackberries have done well so far!  The little leaves just never cease to amaze me.  The plant had one bloom, and boy it was precious! That one bloom tried its very best to produce a berry, but all it could do was form one little morsel of one little blackberry! It was sooo cute. I can't wait until next year to have at least a handful of berries that I grew all by myself!

The raspberries that I planted this year are doing real well also.  They didn't bear any fruit, as expected, but they did produce long stems with multiple bright green leaves, and tiny red "pricklies".  They really are a sight to see. I can't wait to see them bloom next year.  Raspberries are my absolute favorite berry, in my cereal, in my chocolate mousse, in my ice cream, or in my smoothie, what a treat!

Herbs.  I decided to plant herbs for the first time this year too. I planted rosemary, thyme, cilantro, basil, and oregano.  I planted them in a plastic box that we found in one of our old sheds.  They did real well, at least until the heat wave took over, then I had to move the box under the carport.  They simply couldn't handle the heat, even if they were watered correctly.  I picked some basil to enjoy with two of my maters...summer-licious!

Our "Lil" Peach Tree--Part 3 & Other Updates

Our Lil Peach Tree, April 3, 2012.

This tree just never ceases to amaze me.  It's little dark brown or black looking branches just never stop giving.  It has gone from buds to blooms, and now to these beautiful bright green leaves.  We have been lucky to have rain and fair temperatures lately.  Hopefully this trend will continue throughout the summer, especially the hot days and cool nights, which is what will produce my favorite sweet juicy peaches!  Stay tuned!
 

Refreshed Grapevines.

 It is so nice to see these severely pruned grapevines showing some green!  They have bled a good amount, but I think they are going to produce this year!  Spring has been so good to us, and I hope it continues. There are also some tiny bunches of grapes (pictured right) starting to form here and there. 

My Favorite Apple Tree. 

All I can say when I look at this picture is WOW!  Can you believe that every little bloom could possibly produce an apple if pollinated?? That's a lot of apples!  Actually, this is the apple tree that produces the largest amounts of apples in the summer, with its branches hanging full, all of the way to the ground.  As I was photographing this beauty, I couldn't help but noticing the sweet aroma that the blooms were giving off, reminding me of sweet, sweet honeysuckle. The honey bees and yellow jackets were in love with it just as much as I was--there were bunches and bunches of them, at least one on every other bloom, just a pollinating away, creating a pleasant buzzzz and hmmmmm.  Hopefully this is a great sign of what the future holds for this tree.  Last year, with the apples from this tree, I made my bubbly summer apple triple crust cobbler, fried apples, and homemade apple sauce.  But the options are endless I guess, so we'll just have to see what the future holds...

Blackberries & Raspberries.

This year I branched out (ha ha) a little bit and planted Thornless blackberries and Brandywine raspberries, neither of which have I planted before.  Growing up we had plenty of wild blackberries, which won't compare to the nice juicy ones that planted ones can produce.  These are somewhat of an experiment, and I am willing to accept the challenge!

Brandywine Raspberry

Thornless Blackberry

Well, that's all folks!  Stay tuned for more updates, and maybe some even recipes when these tasty treats are ready to come off the vines!

Spring Is In the Air, & Everywhere!

Spring is (almost) here!  I say that lightly, because here in North Carolina, it has been a very mild winter, allowing for an early Spring, and I could not be happier!  The trees are budding...and you know what that means?!?!  It means the fruits of our trees and plants will be here very soon!

So, during the first week of March, I ventured out of the cupboard and looked for the first signs of Spring.  To my surprise, I found my lilies popping above ground.  My outside cat, Amber, was rolling in the warm sun, watching the birds.  And last but certainly not least, I found the cherry, peach, and crabapple trees with tiny innocent little blooms!  What a nice surprise!  Guess it's time to start cleaning out the flower beds!   

Delights from My Garden--Part 2

As the summer continues, my cupboard continues to fill with lots of tasty things, some with a childhood memory attached, and others left open to start new beginnings.  I will begin with the grapes.

"I heard it through the grapevine.."

Their twisty, curly vines wrap around the man- built frame, supporting tiny bunches of premature grapes; accompanied by the sweet smell and honeysuckle.  The grapes are a new and exciting venture for me, I can't wait to see how these tiny bundles of joy grow!

Honeysuckle contains a sweet, edible nectar. 

 Next up are the famous wild blackberries.  To me, summer just isn't summer without them.  I spent many summers picking blackberries in the dark until my fingertips turned purple...now that's love!

Looks like the critters enjoy them too!

I enjoy eating them just as they are, right off the vine, or, rinsed and chilled (if they make it back to the house). But, my all-time favorite would still have to be homemade blackberry cobbler (right out of the oven), topped with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.  Summertime lovin'...lovin in the summertime!

The blackberry "bush"

Blackberries...Take Me Back To The Good 'ol Days

Sitting here eating blackberries...soft yet crunchy, sweet yet tart...takes me directly back to my childhood. I vividly remember picking wild blackberries in the edge of the woods on a hot, humid summer night. Most of the time it was a treat after a long day of hauling corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, squash, potatoes and butter beans to the house from Gingi's garden. The sound of tree frogs and crickets in the background, the setting sun (if it wasn't already dark), sweat dripping down from Gingi's sweat band ,and the smell of honeysuckle. There was nothing better than sticking your already dirty hand into a prickly bush, and finding that big fat juicy berry. The end result...purple stained fingertips and seeds in your teeth...yummy, yummy, yummy, I got love in my tummy!


I will also never forget the red bike tire tracks I received while picking blackberries...;)