I mowed the back forty yesterday. Don had asked about the black raspberries so I was in ‘observation mode.’
The milkweed is getting ready to flower.
This wildflower is scattered throughout the back forty. Does anyone know what it is? It has lovely little bell-shaped blossoms.
I watched this determined bee (took many photos) get right inside that blossom.
Until he was completely curled up enjoying that nectar.
There they are. The black raspberries are on the way. I sent this photo to Don. Can you freeze black raspberries? If so, I might freeze some so he can enjoy them when he gets home.
This branch gives you an idea how flower-laden the catalpa is at the moment. I stood right here and put my nose up to the flowers. Oh, so lovely, that scent.
They are here but briefly, so I am running over to the tree as often as I can to get a whiff.
As you know, when I walk toward the shed or the trash can which is right next to the shed, mama robin flies up into the tree and starts cheeping at me and doesn’t stop until I move away. This goes on every day. I assure her that the babies are safe. I’m sure she absolutely loves those days when I don’t have to go in the shed or put a bag in the trash.
Anyway, I figured that since I was mowing and I would have to put the lawnmower away in the shed, I would also take my camera and, while she was cheeping at me anyway, grab a quick picture of the babies in the nest. I didn’t want to be too intrusive, so I quickly lifted one of the vines and pressed the shutter. It’s a bit blurry, but I think you’ll like it.
I count three babies and maybe a fourth, as the body in the foreground looks as if that birdie’s head is tucked out of sight.
What a wise place for a nest! It’s nestled within the climbing hydrangea. You can’t see it at all unless you know where to look. It provides cover for the babies – from predators and from the weather. Smart mama and papa!
Speaking of birds, I’ve got a couple of noisy crows hanging around. I wonder if they’re scaring off some of the birds? I haven’t seen my mourning doves this week and I bet those darned crows are the reason!
Happy Friday.
Is there anything more wonderful than baby birds? Love all of your flowers and I don’t see why you couldn’t freeze the berries. xo Laura
Baby birds make my heart sing. I’m thrilled to have seen them and that mama bird didn’t attack me when I was doing so!
Oh, those nesting babies..how beautiful!
You should be able to freeze your berries. A bit of simple syrup (cooled) added to the fruit in a freezer bag and they will be good to go.
Have a terrific Friday!
Thank you, Sue!
I appreciate your helpful advice!
Freezing berries is simple. Spread out on cookie sheet and pop in the freezer. When frozen to the touch, pop into a freezer container or bag. That way they won’t stick together and you can pull out a handful at a time. I’m currently picking, pitting and freezing sour cherries to turn into jam and pies when I have more time.
You could also make jam with them. That’s what I do with most of my raspberries and blackberries. Making jam is super simple. Check out Marissa’s blog Food in Jars if you’ve never done any canning.
Oh, thanks for the tip, Kim. Can you tell I’m clueless about freezing berries? I think, rather than make jam, I’ll freeze the berries so that Don can eat them individually – since he’ll be missing out on them. This is all, of course, if they ripen before I head out to CA.
Hi Claudia. Your property is so lovely!
Just wanted to add it’s been my experience in freezing berries that the texture of them seems to change.
In my opinion They are a little mushy for lack of a better word.
We use frozen berries in smoothies and jam as someone else said here. And they work great in the morning oatmeal for me.
Hope you have a beautiful day.
I wondered about that because raspberries are fairly fragile and hold so much water. I’ll have to think this over!
I forgot to say that after freezing they will soften because the cellular structure is changed. They can be used in baking or added frozen to a glass of sparkling soda. They are also wonderful mixed into vanilla yogurt with a little granola on top. I also like to mix berries with a little bit of sugar and let sit overnight in the fridge to draw out the juices, which is called maceration. I then slightly crush the berries with a fork, spoon or whatever is handy and add to a pitcher of lemonade. True summer in a glass!
Making jam is easy and great if you have more fruit than space to freeze.. Jam is wonderful because in the middle of a snowy day I can have a taste of summer past which gives me hope for the summer to come! I do small batch canning where I may only make 2-3 jars of jam so it is an easy project that I can do in an hour or less after dinner. If you have a big pot you can make jam, you don’t have to have a canner.
Thank you so much, Kim!
I think I see four baby robins too. I know that I see frozen blackberries in the freezer section when I go to the store so I think you can freeze them. Wanted to tell you your husband has a wonderful speaking voice. Went to youtube to look him up and got to hear him speak a little before he started singing. My husband also has a wonderful speaking voice. I have had someone tell me that my husband’s voice is like chocolate for the ears. That is your husband too.
Voice, I mean. Need to read before I post.
xo
hope this works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcgnIWMb3fc
Thank you, Trina. I’ll check it out!
Thanks! That’s one of the local places in Woodstock. He’s a darned cutie!
What was the video you were watching, Trina? Yes, he has a great voice and I especially love hearing it in the morning. Since he’s been away so long, hearing his voice soothes me!
Chocolate for the ears! Perfect.
What a sweet birdie shot! The red of the shed is a perfect backdrop.
Thanks, Shanna!
Happy Friday? Yes it is!
The Orange Idiot is coming undone in more ways than one! !
Have a beautiful day:)
Monica
He sure is! I’m watching Twitter and the news feeds!
The babies look almost ready to fledge the nest!!
You can freeze blackberries-wash and dry them well, then place on a parchment/waxed paper lined baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once they are frozen transfer to a baggie or container.
Thanks, Chris.
Your mystery plant is a beard tongue. I grow a different variety call “Huskers Red,” http://houseaboveheckcreek.blogspot.com/2017/05/beard-tongue.html
Our raspberries are ripening now. We don’t have black ones; ours are red and golden. Not enough for freezing, we just grab a few as we walk by.
Thank you, Judy! Or Penstemon – which I’ve heard of. I like that it grows wild around here.
Good morning from CA. I Agree with the dry frozen berries routine. Freeze on a tray and then bag. Eat while partially frozen for a cool summer treat. They do the same thing with grapes. I think your flowers are part of the penstemon family. Take care.
I think they are from that family, as well.
Thanks, Patricia!
I have seen crows take the babies of other birds. Keep your eye on them.
They wouldn’t be able to get into the nest area – it’s too tight for that big of a bird.
I think I told you that we have crows in our neighborhood this year as well. They are so very smart, but I just don’t trust them. I thought they were keeping the birds away this spring. The Orioles now seem to be back in full force, however, eating up the grape jelly ~ but I also haven’t seen the crows for about a week now. Maybe they are tending to some babies ??
Too hot and humid here again. The weather shows that it should break on Sunday and be in the mid to upper 70’s next week!!!!!! That sounds like heaven! Have a good Friday!
I know they are smart and I admire them, but I don’t want them around here! I yell at them every time I see them.
Hi Claudia! I haven’t commented in a while. Pneumonia has a way of doing that to a person.
The baby birds are wonderful! I love seeing new life. We have a family of bunnies that I have been enjoying.
About the berries. I always freeze mine. I first gently rinse them, pat a little dry, and spread out on a baking sheet. Once frozen I take them off of the tray and put them in freezer bags. This way they aren’t frozen in one clump.
I hope you’re feeling better now, Trudy!
Take care of yourself.
Hi Claudia,
I am loving your photos and as a plus, you have named some of my trees and flower bushes in my own yard for me!
I have been under the weather and had the dreaded prep for the colonoscopy the other day and then the real deal yesterday…what fun= NOT at all!
hooray it is over.
Glad that’s over! I’m a bit under the weather today, too.
Two things
Be careful Mama robins have been known to dive bomb and peck- learned that one at age 12
I take the frozen berries and add them to my granola frozen. Pour on the milk and about a minute later the milk is icy cold and the berries have thawed to a perfect consistency. I would use the cookie sheet freeze individually method. Don’t forget you can do this to store berries of all kinds while in season and at a good price.
We have reached detente. They cheep at me, but no dive bombing.
Thanks, Suzan.
Love the baby birds; what a photo!
Claudia, I freeze a lot of stuff. When there’s a good buy on organic bell peppers, I bring them home, wash, dice up and freeze. Again, as everyone has said, lay it all out on cookie sheets (I used waxed paper) with space between each piece so they don’t clump up as they freeze. Put in a baggie after pieces are individually frozen and then you’ve always got bell pepper on hand. I’ve done it with all kinds of things; it’s how Mom taught me! (And I’m not even a cook!) Sometimes I have surplus in the veggie garden, so I had to learn how to do this, like how to freeze squash. Just look in the freezer section of the market; you’ll even see frozen diced onions (can be handy when you’re out of onions in the house). I live on frozen organic berries from the grocery stores. Use them in smoothies. And, yes, wonderful to drop in a few frozen berries to a glass of cold seltzer water; better than soda!
Freezing is a great way to hold on to something when you’ve got too much, enough isn’t being eaten up fast enough, etc.. It’s a way to make time stand still for what you’ve got in the hand that you don’t want to waste. I understand you can even freeze milk. I don’t drink milk and I know you don’t either; just say’in. Back in the day when I’d eat cheese, my husband would sometimes come home from the store with too much cheese and I’d even stick that in the freezer, too. What I’ve noticed with boxed or bagged frozen stuff from the grocery store is, that if you go too past the expiration date, you lose flavor. I had a box of chopped spinach that looked fine but tasted like cardboard.
Thanks so much, Vicki!
Those baby birds are adorable. Have a great week end.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn.
We have a lot of crows all of a sudden! They are so noisy with all their squawking …so loud!!! I wish they would go away, I do think they scare all the other birds.
I feel the same way. If I’m outside and hear them I yell at them to go away!
I love all your photos but the baby birds just has me awwwwing! So sweet. I love fresh berries but not sure I’ve ever had black raspberries, sound amazing. I’m home from my little getaway to the mountains and it was fun. Back to laundry and petting Annie Belle who missed me. Hugs!
They are really delicious. Enjoy your day with Annie Belle.