Luscious Berries

The berries are starting to ripen!
One of the first and the most delicious
are the wild black raspberries.

Let's take a little walk in the garden
where these luscious berries grow. 

It is early morning and the haze
 from our devastating forest fires drift over the pass.

We have had record breaking high temperatures
and it has been very dry.

We stop to visit 'Angel Face,' a floribunda rose
 with a heavenly fragrance
and a lovely lavender hue.

We think of all those displaced by natural disasters,
war, famine, and poverty,
and we say a prayer of mercy and compassion.

'Nearly Wild' blooms nearby,
both along the rose arch in my commemorative garden.

This fragrant rose is also a floribunda and stays short and sweet.

The hydrangea are coming into full bloom now.
This one is very old and started out pink.

Now it has slowly been reverting to delicate shades of lavender and rose.

Both on the same plant which resides in an equally ancient half whiskey barrel.

All are growing in my commemorative garden,
along with my succulent Bird Bath Planter,
which is still growing beautifully after 3 hot summers
 and 2 very wet winters.

The plants sit on a thick bed of gravel, for good drainage,
and I fertilize with tomato fertilizer.

They seem to love it.
(I read that tip in a book on succulent growing)

I did promise you berries, so here they are!
These beautiful and wild black raspberries
decided they liked growing among my roses and herbs
at the base of my deck.

Who was I to argue?

Especially with such delicious offerings! 

Every year I wait with anticipation for these jewels of nature.

Delicate and sweet they are perfect to sprinkle
over Greek yogurt with a little cinnamon or nutmeg.

Whole grain crackers are a perfect accompaniment.

Have a bite!
Oh, such sweet delight!

A little cream for your tea?

This pretty little blown glass creamer was my Dear Mother's.

Every Sunday after church, when I was a child,
we went out for donuts, hot chocolate, and the Sunday paper.
We would eat the donuts overlooking a nearby lake in the center of town.

Then we would drive to my Mother's favorite shop
where my Father would buy her a little treasure.

This creamer was one such treasure.

When my Father wanted to 'move West' to follow his dreams,
my Mother left all that she knew to go with him.

She left her parents, 6 sisters,
1 brother, their families,
 and all their friends for the unknown.

This little creamer was always kept on her kitchen window sill
to capture the light and remind her of the life she left behind.

Now it is mine and the memories live on.

Now it is my little treasure. 

Another treasure that I found in a thrift store is this wonderfully illustrated book.

Filled with information about growing,
harvesting and cooking with all types of berries,
 cultivated and wild, and illustrated by the author,
 it is a lovely book.

Blue Stellar Jay feathers gathered in the garden, mark the pages.

I call this 'Still Life with Fuchsia' :)
The tiny blue bottle (which was also my Mother's)
 is embossed with 'Bromoseltzer -
 Emerson Drug Co. - Baltimore, MD'

My blue dishes are a combination of modern (Ballard Designs),
and vintage (Bauer, Franciscan Ware).

I have been collecting blue pottery for years.

But all good things must come to an end.....

Thank you for sharing the harvest with me!

Sweet, simple gatherings shared with Dear Friends.

I am sorry if I haven't been around to visit as often lately.

I am surrounded in clouds of chiffon and lace,

sewing for the wedding.

But whenever I need a little break,
a little inspiration,
a sweet friend,

I will stop over for a visit.

xxoo

'If instead of a gem, or even a flower,
we should cast the gift of rich thought
into the heart of a friend,
that would be giving as the angels give.'
- George MacDonald -

'If a man could mount to Heaven
 and survey the mighty universe,
his admiration of its beauties
would be much diminished unless
he had someone to share in his pleasure.'
- Cicero -