We helped Anna from Hand's Full Farm pick 37 pounds of blackberries and then quickly turned it into jam with the help and guidance of my wonderful 80-year old neighbor, Beula. So much summer goodness in little half pint jars and the color is absolutely gorgeous.
We harvested a few artichokes and steamed for dinner. Note to self: rinse these really well next time, as dead ants aren't the cutest things to eat when you get down to the heart of the artichoke.
The pink Naked Ladies have bloomed early this year, perhaps because of all the rain we had earlier in the year. They are such ugly above-ground bulbs, but quickly rise up and bloom into these leafless, fragrant pink blossoms.
Queen Anne's Lace is everywhere and I don't think there is a lovelier weed in all of West Sonoma County. Valley Ford-Freestone Road is loaded on both sides with this tall, elegant weed.
I am reading this wonderful little book called Settled in the Wild by Susan Hand Shetterly and it inspired me to pick fern fronds and place single stems around the house. Simple and natural. They have perfect patterns on the back of their fronds and we have placed paper over them and lightly rubbed crayons over their texture. Lovely little bits of paper.
I didn't plant any of the items that I'm listing here, as they are mostly volunteers or previously planted by someone else. However, summer is definitely the time to hunt and gather - whether it's beauty, food or inspiration.
What are you hunting and gathering?
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