5AM, yesterday morning, I got up, put on some hiking boots, a pair of jeans and a hunting coat to go wrangle the briars of some blackberries! Many of my friends and relatives were a little freaked out by my decision to go at this time. I have discovered that when my father-in-law says he's going to do something at a certain time, if you want to participate, you need to be there at that time. The illustrator got up at 5AM Monday morning to help him cut up a tree. When in Rome...
I went to a cow pasture at the illustrator's uncles place. These are some views on our way there...
The storms were coming, but we thought since we were up we would see how many we could get...
It was crazy watching the sky go from a bright morning sky to a sheet of clouds...
It felt like the Wizard of Oz! It was beautiful and very creepy!
Luckily, I got to these right before the storm hit. I had to hold the berries to take a picture because the wind was blowing like crazy! We filled a couple of buckets about 1/3 full. Between the two of us there is enough to make a pie or so my father-in-law thought until I got my breakfast...
These won't last long with me around. I love fresh berries on my oats! We are going to go back for more since we found a good patch of them. There are also tons of little ones about to mature.
A little about blackberries and your health...
Blackberries are rich in antioxidants that help repair cell damage. They also aid in the prevention of heart disease, cancer and stroke (all of which run in my family). Their leaves can be used for teas to treat diarrhea, as well as inflammation of the throat and mouth. Blackberries are rich in vitamin A and C too! Besides, they're darn tasty!
Do you like blackberries? The illustrator loves them, but hates the seeds. The seeds don't bother me though. I just love them! I see a cobbler in my future!
Labels: about me, breads, breakfast, cakes, gluten free, quick breads |
Wow look at those clouds. That's what we had here, but thankfully after I was already at work safely inside. I like the flavor of blackberries, just not the seeds.