Blackberries

We are lucky to have several blackberry patches around our neighborhood that aren't on private property. So now that the berries are ripe, we make sure to take several "pit stops" during our walks to snatch a few. Surprisingly, Abby loves the blackberries - whole, with seeds, fresh off the vine. Remember, this is the girl that is very texture sensitive, will hardly touch finger foods (except cheerios), regularly chokes and occasionally vomits when I try to leave a few chunks in her purees. But she practically swallows the blackberries whole with no problem at all! Go figure. In fact, I couldn't keep up with her - every time I turned around she'd open her mouth, ready for me to pop another in. =)

A couple days ago my mom and two younger nephews were over and I talked them into going on a walk and picking blackberries with me. We didn't spend a lot of time, but we did get two bowlfuls. Kevin and I made some fresh blackberry syrup for our pancakes the next morning. Yum! I'm hoping to make a pie today. I love blackberries! And since they're free, I love them even more! ;o)

Note: Don't you love my new jogging stroller? I was sooooo blessed to be given this stroller from a friend from high school (thanks, Steph!). I'd been holding out for one, hoping to find the "deal of a century," but never did. Since things are pretty tight around here, I decided that getting a jogging stroller just wasn't a necessity and I pretty much gave up...until one friend put me in contact with an old friend who didn't want hers. And this jogging stroller was brand-new, still in the box! What a blessing! It is great to be able to go out jogging with Abby when I want to and to go walking over "rough terrain" without any troubles. Abby seems to like it too. I'm so happy with my new jogger!