Berry Delicious

The boys and I finally got out to do some berry picking. We took a long drive (okay, under thirty minutes, but it felt longer) out to the country, to Long Branch Environmental Education Center in Sandy Mush, NC. I have to say, as much as we loved it when we got there, driving there was a little stressful. This is what happens when you leave Asheville: the view is fabulous; the roads are curvy and then little people in the back are complaining about their tummies. You're driving along, looking for your turn, and oh, there's a road! But it has no road sign. Was I supposed to turn there? This happens several times until you do find your road, and get where you need to go and all's well. Deep breath, enjoy nature.

So, the berries. Long Branch had blueberries, blackberries, and a few raspberries. We met my friend Maggie and her two boys and, after a visit to the compost toilet (hmmm), we got to work. We picked some of each. The boys liked it for about ten minutes, getting very excited and shouting to me every time they found a ripe blueberry; then they ran off to explore. They'd come back every once in awhile to check in and eat berries. Maggie reminded them, "For every berry you pick, one has to go in the bucket." Hard rule to follow, but they did their best. Picking berries gets kind of addictive. You think you're done, but then spot another branch with a few more, and then another and so on.

I didn't overdo it though, and brought home a pint each of blueberries and raspberries (which were a bit scarce, I think they were early ones) mixed with blackberries. Now, to find delicious ways to serve them.