Black Raspberries and Memory Lane

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but I have a hard time finding nice black raspberries around here.  A handful of customers ask me for that flavor and I reply "Sorry. They are so hard to find and when you do, they are so expensive." 
Well the local paper had an advertisement for them the other evening, so I placed a call and  my order. Ten whole pints!  LOL Yes, pricey but I thought "one time deal", I will go ahead and make the purchase. 

View from today.

So today after my errands in town, I began my journey to find the Hilltop Black Raspberry Farm. It was a nice morning for a drive and I let my mind enjoy the somewhat new territory I was traveling. Familiar in the way of it was still near my hometowns, but different as I had not been on certain parts of the roads I was driving. As I turned down road after road, my final turn was onto a small gravel road/lane.  Signs posted told me I was going the correct way. Uneasy on the size of the lane, all I could think was "I hope I don't meet a milk truck or a fast moving mail carrier" because the road was literally the size of a lane.

My ten pints of black raspberries.

But once I made it up the "washboard" hill, there it was!  A beautiful fruit and vegetable farm.  All the produce fields were nicely fenced and laid with black weed cloth.  The only thing you saw were the beautiful plants reaching for the sun. Once, I parked the car, a nice lady was walking out of the berry patch with her baskets full.  Now, you can't get any fresher berries than that! We spoke of the breeze, the sun and the beautiful berries! 
Once home I brought in the groceries and put them away.  Then the fun!!
I washed my berries. Made jam and processed 15 jelly jars. Yes, not much but when making jam or jelly, you usually don't get a whole lot.
But the BEST part of the whole day?  Saving that one bowl of berries for me.  Adding a touch of sugar. Smiling and tearing up the entire time thinking of my childhood on the farm.  My Uncle Cozy would go berry picking but he would never tell me. He always wanted to surprise me and if he didn't find any, then I wouldn't be disappointed. 
Today, with that first bite of fresh black raspberries and sugar, I saw him walking over the hills in the pasture field with the old berry buckets, one in each hand.   Just as fresh was the memory as if I was standing in my grandparents kitchen, looking out the window at him.  I couldn't wait to have my grandma wash them for us.  So many of us on the farm, and of course you had to share, one bowl was all we would enjoy.  I remember seeing my grandpa pour our fresh cows milk over his and thinking that was a waste!  LOL 
Oh my the years have come and gone but that memory...that first taste of those berries today, with a touch of sugar...took me back to my childhood. I sat in my chair and enjoyed every single one of them and felt the love of my family, in the middle of June, in the farmhouse almost 40 years ago.


My berries today.

And the money I paid for those berries? Yes, I would pay again tomorrow for that same feeling I felt today.

Busy Busy Busy

Remember that line from Frosty the Snowman?  The magician had to get working on good deeds for Santa to bring him gifts.  He was going to be "busy, busy, busy."  Well, that is how it feels around here. I think I have a schedule and it flies out the door everyday! 

I really do try my best but when someone calls with a good price on produce, or you have to run to town for a child pick up or a loaf of bread, how can a "work" schedule be realistic when you work at home and are the wife, mother, cook, cleaner, etc.

This past week was enjoyable.  The weather, after the rain on Wednesday, has been nice and sunny with very low humidity. Very enjoyable!  Speaking of Wednesday, that was the opening day of the Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market in Dover, Ohio.  VERY VERY nice!  I was amazed at the beautiful produce, delicious looking baked goods and the friendly people. I can't wait to try some of the pizza cooked in a wood burning outdoor oven, fresh made on site doughnuts and etc. I will be there every Wednesday thru October. Stop out and see me and the other wonderful vendors there. 

Remember when you buy local, organic, small business--you are helping us provide for our family not helping some 'fatcat' get a 20 million dollar bonus!  So shop local!  It's so good!

Until next time my friends!