For several days, I have picked blackberries...
now, the birds and deer are welcome to what's left.
now, the birds and deer are welcome to what's left.
~
Five days straight...after having morning coffee...
I would cross the field in the early morning dew...
sometimes having to tell a deer to leave...
so I could pick the berries...and while there...
~Virginia MountainMint~...also enjoy smelling the scent of the
honeysuckle vine growing among the briers.
Usually, I easily picked in the open...
down the side of the field...but once I ventured
deeper...after spying berries on the other side...
going through and behind the vines...
to an area I had never been and probably
won't tackle again...
it was a little rough to say the least...
but I found the unreachable berries.
~
It's like a no man land back there...
maybe 15 ft. wide of thick brush...lined on the
left by the berry brambles and on the right
by a barbed wire fence and the woods.
After making my way out...first I heard...
and then I saw a Eastern Towhee...
their song sounds like "Drink your tea!"
While leaving I noticed a new wildflower
growing in the field...I think it's Veronica...
I once "bought" the same for the flower garden...
There are times while leaving the field...
I find the mother and 3 fawns watching me...
I think maybe their routine was disturbed...
for they looked as if to say...
"Now where to?"
Other times while in the field...
I come across more bees of course...
but a few butterflies as well...
~all photos enlarge~This one appears to have eyes on it's wings...
and this one was just perfect in it's
stained glass appearance...
So during all the blackberry picking days...
I still made meals...
between the freezing of all those berries.
I now have 6 large bags in the freezer.
So what dessert did I fix...
Zucchini bread!
Annette had some rather large zucchini and
since she's very busy with the summer reading
program at the library...I baked them...
and we shared the 2 loaves.
Mine did not last very long!
When checking on my tomatoes...
I thought of Eileen at Umma's World...since she
found the same visitor on her tomatoes...
although she most likely doesn't have these...
visiting her tomatoes...they also are known to
steal our peaches.
To remind us how sweet raccoons look...
our grandchildren once gave us this photo...it
hangs in our bathroom as a constant reminder!
But...looks are deceiving sometimes...and
to protect my small garden...
Herhusband surrounded it with a small...
"gentle" electric fence...we had no choice!
So while Herhusband was busy with that...
I was inside baking...because...
and we've already cut the cake...
So while Herhusband was busy with that...
I was inside baking...because...
~
Today is his BIRTHDAY!
~
Today is his BIRTHDAY!
~
and we've already cut the cake...
a triple chocolate cake with choclate icing,
crushed heath bars, and chopped pecans,
with chocolate creme filling inside
drizzled with bittersweet chocolate...
and a cherry on top.
~
...which Herhusband
pronounced the best yet!
The past few days found me without the use of
...so it left me time to clean the house!
Thanks for visiting!
Come again!
The past few days found me without the use of
the computer that holds my photos...it was
"down for maintenance"...
I haven't posted since last Wednesday...
...so it left me time to clean the house!
Thanks for visiting!
Come again!
36 comments:
Your home looks very inviting, Wanda...hint hint. Your yard and porch look very inviting...hint...hint.
Loved all the beautiful sights to see except that gross bug but at least there's only one phot of him!
Did you read my comment at the bottom of your last post? I wrote it today.
So glad you are up and running again!
And I sure need to get out and pick those black raspberries, but I have no raccoons or deer...sad to say, I do have bugs galore. Last year and the year before we had so many ladybugs, but where are they now? Do you have ladybugs?
Was thqt a German chocolate cake that you baked for your hubby?
I already wished Herhusband a very Happy Birthday, but one more time...Happy Birthday...you have a wonderful wife and a wonderful life!!
blessings and hugs,
marcy
Good morning Wanda-
Oh my, I SO enjoyed our walk today and picking the balck berries. The sights and sounds and smells along the way all thrilled me. And your zucchini bread? I could taste it - it looks so yummy.
Happy birthday to your husband - the cake looked scrumptious too. I am going to grab my cane and go look about my garden and brook. My husband called me saying that a new flower has blossomed in the garden. He took a walk around when he left for work and saw it :-)
Love and joy to you and your husband.
Gail
peace.......
Once again, I liked walking with you on your walk. This time, I really felt like I was there-just hearing the birds, I thought I was right beside you! Not only is your property beautiful, but you have a very lovely home!
Happy, Happy Birthday to your Husband. The cake sounds and looks ymmy.
Take care.
Oh that's why it was so quiet here, you have been a very busy girl! Happy birthday to your husband, Wanda.That cake looks like something my hubs would love too, he's such a chocoholic! The zuchinni bread looks delicious as well!
I would love to venture the woods with you, it is such a wonderful place?
I know this isn't a cooking blog, but that cake recipe would be welcomed! To quote Marcy, "Hint, hint!" I don't wish for my computer to break down, but my house COULD use a cleaning. Glad you're back and baking! It was good to go berry-picking with you.
Are three fawn kind of rare for one doe? I actually saw a couple of fawn this morning while leaving Donna's house. I took a picture from a distance with my cell phone and it came out. I posted it on powerloveandselfcontrol....Don't worry, I'll never achieve your level of photography skill :)
Somehow the out of focus things always get my attention, hence I must tell you I truly admire the table cloth beneath the berries :D A special mention to your so very inviting couch/sofa . Feel like going plonk on it :) The picture of your field and the sunshine is so calming. Made me feel wonderful ! The stained glass like butterful is magnifient! Makes me marvel at nature open mouthed!
The zucchini bread turned out great! I've yet to taste what it's like, but you are a great cook!
A Very Happy Birthday to your husband! I wish him a long healthy and happy life :) Can I have a bite of that cake please?
The interiors of your home look heavenly! It looks like a five star hotel suite :D
Marcy as always, you made me smile ...You can drop in anytime...I was just on my way to your place though :)
Gail...good luck with your garden, the squirrels were eating our tomatoes, another reason for the fence.
Thank you Anne!...How is the new place you and your husband just moved into?
Jientje...after I finish here...I am returning to "Belgium"...grandsons stayed all night and needed breakfast...had to leave without a comment earlier...
Rebecca...I'll come to your place with the recipe...actually it's a B.C. cake mix...less 2TB. of water, but with 2 extra Tb. oil.
I'm not sure, but we use to see a deer with just one fawn, and one with 2 fawns...so of the three that we always see now, one just might be an adopted orphan.
Every now and then we see a mom with one fawn, and later we'll see 2 separate fawns alone...I just assume they get separated and later find each other!
Stillness...nature surprises me too...last week I came across 6 different turtles on my walks...and the field always has
hundreds of bees...
Happy birthday to your husband! All looks grand and inviting. You have been very busy. You are so blessed - but the best is - you remember to count your blessings and share them.
Hello Wanda, I hardly know where to start! That bread...that CAKE! A feast for the eyes, and I'm sure for the hungry HerHusband, too. Happy Birthday to him! As you know, my 2 youngest Grands had their b-day party this weekend - all went well. We kept A and B until yesterday afternoon so they could have some special time with Grammy and Pop Pop. Today their younger brother (4) came to spend the morning. Now, I'm getting caught up on the computer but NOT on cleaning my house! Yours looks great, though!
Is that Yarrow in the field with the deer? Also, the purple flower looks a lot like my Salvia. My Veronica is pink, but I think maybe some varieties are purple.
The caterpillar photo is awesome. Of course, I love the butterflies, too. Have a great week.
Sending some smiles back to you.
Thanks for the cake recipe - and that is NOT cheating! No wonder it looks so great! I will try it just the way you wrote it out.
Thank you Claudia...you are blessed with many talents which you share!
Barb...the white flowers are Virginia Mountain Mint and the purple has long slender leaves, so I think it's a Veronica, they are of the same family as Salvia I believe...
Rebecca...I hope you enjoy the cake ...I'm going to go cut a slice for myself this very minute!
I'm hungry now! And I'm hoping you'll post the recipes! I didn't read all the comments, did I miss it? I'll come back later and read again!
I love your front porch, and your home is beautiful, all so cozy, and inviting, and a 'real home' feel! I love that!
And your front door looks beautiful too and lets in lots of light, I like that!
Okay, I'll be back later tonight before I go up to bed.
This visit was too short, I didn't get my fill!
Wanda, the whole post is a delight as always!
The berries look scrumptious, the tomatoes so prolific, the bread so yummy, the raccoons so sweet (I’m a sucker for raccoons, garden raiders or not). Your photography even made a hornworm look handsome. We don’t have them yet, but any day now...
The cake looks aMAZing – happy birthday to Herhusband!
Thanks Eileen...you can have any recipe you want...see you later.
Thank you Jain...now the squirrels are taking the green tomatoes home with them...they just flatten out and slide right under the wire!
Wanda, your home and environs are lovely! What a respite! Right now I'm listening to bird song and the pan flute. Ah . . . and now it's "Summertime." the doe with her (and related) fawns are coming through the gate where the pink and white wildflowers bloom. So many blackberries--is there a creek? and the delicious-looking food. we put an electric fence around our tomatoes. We think the deer got them last year. This year we had two woodchucks who were real nibblers: we caught them in Havahart traps and brought them to the edge of some nearby woods. Wanda, thank you!
What can I say....?
I don't know if I would want to stay outside in your heavenly fields with the darling fawns and beautiful wildflowers or in your house brimming with beauty, delicious food aromas and scrumptous meals.....
is this what heaven is like???
Hello Wanda
I love how your post gives us temptations and lovely outdoor strolls and brings the lot together back at your 'hearth'...
What a great green caterpillar - clearly he has been eating well...What will you do?
Happy Days
I'm glad that your computer woes are history....
Another wonderful walk through dreamland for me.
I love the racoons...with their cute little mask faces!!
Do you make fried green tomatoes? You might have posted that already, but I can't remember.
Thank you for a beautiful post.
Smiles,
Jackie
Once again you have taken us to your 'special' place..thank you. I was just looking at a big bowl of zucchini and wondering what to do with it....now I now!!! Have a wonderful day...
Wanda,
Thanks for asking about the house. I took a little drive by the house and neighborhood again and I had second thoughts. I quess I had buyers remorse. We both took a drive back and decided to cancel the deal. We are still looking.
Hey, hey! No fair! I want the triple chocolate cake recipe too! And your berry cobbler has inspired me this morning...I'm going to go make a peach-berry cobbler with a great recipe I have... You have made me hungry, again! Have a great day...it happens to be my "day off" so I think I'll go play in the kitchen now!
Margaret...there are 3 creeks...all just over the hill in valleys.
Joan...Thank you...I've been to your part of heaven too!
Delwyn...just left your place...I snipped the branch and took him far away!
Jackie...sometimes we have fried gr. tomatoes...Annette is making fried zucchini...I know you visit her!
Janet...your post yesterday was so funny! :)
Anne...I thought your poem reflected regret.
Jacquelyn...I did leave a simple recipe at Rebecca's...it's just a B.C. triple choc. cake mix with additives. :)
What a wonderful, lovely post! I enjoyed your photo-journal of the trip to pick blackberries. Zucchini bread wouldn't last long at my house, either.
A belated Happy Birthday to HerHusband.
I just got one of your recipes off of Rebecca's blog! Thanks!
Maybe I'll try it this weekend if I have time.
And it looks like maybe you have another post (is that cherry or blueberry in that picture?), I'm off to check that out now.
Just love coming here, Wanda. I didn't get a chance to come back last night so thought I'd stop in again now. It's so rotten here again, rain all the rest of the week they say, but at least we had a nice day yesterday. Jayden is watching a Disney movie, I should be cleaning, but here I sit at the computer!
Your home is really nice. Your grounds too, and so is your blog!
I'm doing a fast today so I'm hungry! I'm going to pretend I'm eating a piece of the delicious looking bread, and I'm going to slice myself a big slab of that chocolate cake!
Take care, Wanda.
All the best,
Eileen
Oh, yes, I remember the blackberry post now!
I took that recipe already, I said how much it reminded me of my apple crisp recipe, only this in great for summer!
Okay, I'll probably be haunting your place for awhile, pay no attention.
Stunning photos. Thank you so much for sotpping by my playground and the birthday wish. It's greatly appreciated. Happy late birthday wishes to your husband as well. Aloha :)
Hi Wanda - when you read my post you will see why I have not posted. Taking care of grandson. The cake looks so yummy. I need the receipe...... You take care - I missed you and reading your posts - I'm a bit behind on everything......
Hi Wanda,
Dreaming about the Mountain Lion - well, I've been thinking about it quite a lot, too. Maybe we're on the same wavelength. I saw one once but I was in a car - it ran from the brush at the side of the road and then disappeared again. My friend and I were awestruck! I've also heard the "scream" while hiking many, many years ago. It sent shivers up my spine! Two bloggers who I believe can identify the scat did so - I think a lion has a territory near my house. Mostly, they are so secretive, you would never see one - though they might be spying on you. I don't usually trail run alone anymore - my husband goes with me. I would be very frightened if I saw a lion face to face, but would hold my ground, make myself big, and fight if I had to defend myself. I had a very close encounter with a big male bear about 6 years ago. It was within 6' of me, watched me intently for what seemed like an eternity, then slowly turned and ambled off. My heart was pumping, let me tell you!
I meant nothing negative about the village concept - only that there are many of us individuals following others' blogs that we enjoy very much. We might feel we "know" others by what they communicate. Usually, I must feel a connection of some sort before I can follow too closely. That's me - kind of a loner, I guess.
You are a very kind person, and I hope I haven't said something to inadvertently offend you.
Smiles and only good dreams wished for you!
Happy Birthday to Herhusband! It was so nice to take a walk with you today Wanda...I have missed it, so relaxing and I loved your pictures. Hope herhusband has a wonderful day!!!!
you inspired me...I baked four loaves of Zucchini Bread yesterday ;-) My home smelled so good!!
Thank you for sharing your world with me! I feel as if I've actually been visiting with you. Your hospitality is wonderful.
Hi Wanda: Just got to read your blog entry today. I so enjoyed 'walking' along with you to all the lovely areas of your acreage. The pictures you took made me feel as if I was right beside you. I wish I was there to taste all your yummy looking baked items. Mmmmmm.
Thanks for your comments on my blog entry today. Take care, Mar.
What a wonderful post. I feel positively refreshed. You have lovely property and just love how you leave room for the wildlife.
Thank you for stopping by TNS and commenting.
Belated Happy Birthday to your husband.
O.K. now I want zuccini bread and a piece or two or three of that cake. Thanks Wanda! Hope your husbands birthday was a good one!
Hi Sweetie, Just a note to tell you I am having a wonderful time and missing all of you. See you in just a few more days....Say hello to everyone from me ok, and I do hope all is well in blogland...miss you all....-:) Hugs
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