We went blackberry picking a few days ago with some friends. Fischer had his own bucket, but I don't think any ever made it into it. Fischer grew bored pretty fast with picking them off of the bushes. It didn't take long for him and his friend Camas to find Denise's bucket which sat so invitingly with already picked berries in it. They feasted for a little while before the evidence of dripping juice running down their chin gave them away. We all came home with scratches all over our arms and legs from battling those thorny bushes. Even little Amelia had scratches on her feet from being worn in the front pack while I was picking. It was all worth it though. Those berries were so delicious. Fischer and I made a blackberry peach pie and some jam. Absolutely scrumptious!
Amelia is cruising all over the house now. Fischer is having a lot of fun with her now that she is more interactive. She just gets the biggest kick out of her big brother.
We went for our yearly ride to go and pick plums and pears. The plum and pear trees were heavy with fruit. It was a good year for harvesting. The plums were a beautiful deep purple and they seemed sweeter than ever. Fischer and Claire played in the grass, while plum juice dripped from their chins. Amelia was in the backpack hanging out trying to grab the pears and plums off the trees. Today was the last of the warm days, temperatures in the upper 80's. A cool front is supposed to be coming through tonight. At least then I won't feel so bad about being in the house to can and dry all the fruit. 
