Berry Picking with Donna

We were invited to pick wild black caps and raspberries on property owned by our neighbor’s dad, not too far from where we live.   Our friend, Donna arrived to pick us up in the Rhino ATV and away we went.  We picked berries on two separate days and managed to keep the mosquitos at bay with bug dope and clothing that kept us protected from quite a few of the thorns that surrounded the delicious fruit.  They were not huge in size so we really needed to pick like crazy to get the berry quantity that we did.  A fun time was had by all, including the 4-legged ones that accompanied us.

(l-r: Jeff getting in there with his bucket; Donna deep in a patch o berries; Kay’s selfie with her “treasures”)

(l-r: Jeff spritzing on the bug dope; Donna happy to have found some blackcaps; all-around having a good time!)

(l-r: Bourbon riding in the front; the Gator that got us there; Baily posing for the camera)

Once we got home on our first day of picking, we flash froze a good portion of the berries and then used Donna’s vacuum sealer machine to prepare some bags for the freezer.

Kay saved enough mixed berries to make a pint of jam which we proceeded to try out on some whole grain toast.  DELICIOUS.

Our stained fingers from all of the picking, and Kay and Donna enjoying some relaxing time on our front porch.  Most of the berries were small – and we made sure to taste a few along the way – and sweet so not too much sugar was used when Kay made her jam.  Our second day of picking with Donna yielded enough berries for 2 more pints of jam plus a few bags for the freezer to enjoy on our breakfast cereal.
We’re not done yet as Day 3 for blackcaps is coming up this Saturday.  We won’t forget the bug spray either!
Keeping it real ~ Kay & Jeff