Endless but Delicious!

  Endless!  Yep, it seems like this chore is endless.  For the past two weeks or so, I have gotten up at daybreak to pick the Boysenberries. The early morn is the chosen time for this task as I merely wish to beat the birds to my berries.  It seems that critters like these about as much or more than I do!  Now, however, it seems like this is an never-ending quest.  For some strange reason the berries just keep making!  I have given berries away to folks, filled my freezer space and eaten far more than I should every day.  All in all, a total of seventeen gallons have been harvested so far this season.  Not that I am complaining, though, as I do indeed like to pick berries.  Contrary to what most folks claim, berry-picking is a relaxing task.  Being in the garden at sunrise gives me time to meditate.  Birds are singing, frogs are chirping and I am picking!

  The Boysenberry is one of those oldtime hand pollinated breeds of berries.  Some say it is a cross between not only the (once believed) blackberry and raspberry but, also, dewberry and loganberry.  When you throw all those together something good just has to happen!  The berries are large and not too very sweet but make the best pies, tarts, scones and jelly!

  With the amount that I have already picked and the amount that are still on the vine, it seems to me that I will have plenty to share with my kids.  Some of these fine berries will be headed to Georgia two weeks from now and the others will be stowed in my daughter's freezer. Tomorrow, I plan to try my hand at making some non-churned Boysenberry ice cream!  Yum! Good things are coming from the garden!