Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Front Porch


A beautiful Saturday morning to just sit on our front porch with our old and very slow laptop and write this post.  The door and windows are open, and it's cool enough that even the air conditioning doesn't have to be on.  The sky is clear and there's hardly a cloud in the sky.  In the yard the Mother rabbit watches over her family.  We didn't see her at all yesterday and we were a little concerned that something had happened to her--Am I the only one that worries about wildlife in the yard?  In an effort to keep the rabbits safe, we're not allowing the dogs into that part of the yard--But all of our worrying about her yesterday was for nothing because we finally saw her late in the evening.  

Across the road I can hear the voices of the farmer and his sons and the mooing of cows as they move cattle into the pasture nearest to us.  Apparently the cows are not happy about the change.  The dogs really enjoy being on the front porch with me, watching and listening.  I'm glad that Sam has chosen to come out here with us.  A friend of mine who also has senior Goldens has insisted that Sam be put on more herbs--She swears that's what is keeping her 16+  year old going.  She is so convinced of it that she purchased them and had them delivered to us.  Thinking that Sam and I have nothing to lose, I started giving them to him.  I'm not sure what they all are, but I suppose that time will tell if they are effective or not. 
Today on my agenda is to look up blackberry recipes.  We've picked the last of them, and I have more than a gallon in the freezer and 4 quarts sitting on the counter and two more in the fridge.  There are so many and I'm worried they may go to waste.  This morning I've already baked 'blackberry bread' but would like to find something a bit more interesting to do with them. (Any thoughts?)  However at this moment the front porch is interesting enough and right now I'm not worrying about anything.
Enjoy your Saturday!

40 comments:

  1. You have already baked blackberry bread???

    Show off!

    ;-)

    I hope the morning is a good indicator of what a wonderful weekend it will be. Hug the critters for me!

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  2. i'd be baking lots more cobblers (and freezing them, too).

    i love the photo of 3 billy goats gruff. :)

    and good luck, sweet sam!

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  3. I'm glad rabbit mom came back. I'd worried about the babies too. The cows have come back to the field next door to us as well. They give it such a nice country feel. I can imagine that your house will smell heavenly for the rest of the weekend with all those blackberries. Good luck with the herbs, you have nothing to lose, I don't think. I kept Angel's disease at bay for many years with homeopathic remedies.

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  4. What a lovely place to sit, the dogs obviously love it too - Oh, that bread does look yummy, sure I can smell it...oh if only, lol.

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  5. Yah, I even worried about the corn snake...

    I hope the herbs help Sam.

    Cute picture of "watching".

    Muffins, pancakes, syrup, and of course cobbler.

    Enjoy your day!

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  6. Oh I do hope the herbs work for dear Sam! The picture of the three dogs looking through the deck rails is priceless. Beautiful shots of the bunny and deer.

    Your blackberry bread looks wonderful! Have you ever tried freezer jam with it?

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  7. Hi Kim, I think freezing them is the perfect solution-other than cobblers and bread so that come winter you will have plenty available to using. I'd be blending them and putting them in ice trays as well.
    What a wonderful & thoughtful friend to buy the meds for Sam; praying they work and you have a long time left with him. Your pups look so cute on the porch-especially Todd. He looks as long as your others. Love the bunny and the deer.
    Sending love your way today.
    Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

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  8. I am so glad that you are enjoying your day. I am very happy to know that Sam is feeling better and doing well. Hopefully the herbs will work and let him live a while longer. Your blackberry bread look delicious.
    TFS. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Ana

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  9. Once in a great while we hear a neighbor's voice too... but it's rare. We are more apt to hear their lawn mowers.

    Sweet photo of the deer!

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  10. Rabbits are welcome here as long as they live to our rules - grin. No eating my garden and no digging too many tunnels as the animals can fall when walking past their hole.
    Love to know what herbs your friend recommends for the dogs!

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  11. Happy Belated Birthday!! YOu're bread looks amazing, wish you were my neighbor :) Love the 3 amigos watching the world, just gotta love them. Praying for Sam and his new "meds" Enjoy the rest of your day.
    My girlz and I are off to find frogs--what better thing to do on a warm summer day.

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  12. A friend of mine was just talking about making Blackberry Crumble, which makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Of course, fresh blackberries are great in yogurt and on ice cream, too...

    I love our front porch, too! We have the world's two stupidest rabbits in our yard, though, and I really wish they'd just relocate. Morgan is going to lose her nut over them!

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  13. Blackberry Wine?? Blackberry brandy?? A little of either of these in the bottom of a glass, with ice and some bubbles (7-mup or plain seltzer is hard to beat on a hot Southern evening. Do you have a food dehydrator? Would be good to dry some.

    Cheers,
    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  14. Kim,
    You paint such a wonderful picture, I wish we could be there drinking coffee and seeing what you are seeing and hearing.
    We are some of those that worry about wildlife in our yard, this year the bunnies got smart and made their nest out front, so our yard is bunny free.
    Both bunnies and ground squirrels do pass through our yard, the ground squirrel lives there and so they keep things interesting for Hamish & Sophie.


    Sheila & Bob

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  15. I would so dearly like a slice of blackberry bread - it sounds yummy! What herbs did your neighbor suggest?

    Sam

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  16. What a peasceful post. My Vickie was enthralled all the way through and she doens't usually get excited about bread making.

    What a lovely way to start the day.

    Bert

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  17. Blackberry wine or liquer sounds nice or maybe jam? What lovely wildlife you have outside your home (and inside too!) Monty Dog says hello and would like to report that he has been given his favourite treat this evening - pigs ears. Lily xxx

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  18. Blackberry bread, yum! I'm glad the mother rabbit turned up and that you had such relaxing morning :o)

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  19. Perhaps you could do jam! Glad you got to sit and enjoy what nature gives us, Kim!...:)JP

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  20. Yum to that bread and your very peaceful surroundings.

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  21. You could have a go at making this one, it looks nice: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12971/blackberry-and-coconut-squares

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  22. Oh my gosh that blackberry bread looks devine...........Post the recipe! Molly and Isla send thier love to poor old Sam xx

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  23. What a lovely post, I really enjoyed reading your observations from your porch. I'm glad Mummy bunny returned. I hope the extra herbs help sweet Sam.

    xx

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  24. We love the wild life, too. BUT we think that rabbit would love a game of catch-me-if-you-can with Todd.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  25. Saw this on Paula Deen this morning. 10-minute blackberry cream pie. Mix quart of blackberries with 4 TBSP blackberry jam. Mash the berries and jam and pour into graham cracker pie crust. Top with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Haven't tried it but is surely is quick. I LOVE blackberry bread and blackberry syrup for pancakes but cobbler is still my favorite.

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  26. Hi Kim
    Thank you for talking to us from your front porch! We can smell the fragrance of those black berries! We smell the bread.
    Some of our friends from long ago used to keep the black berry juice, and then made it into punch- but no idea how to do that. Freezing them is a great idea.
    Once a doe left her fawn in our yard for like 8 hours and we were so worried that she was not coming back- but she did. So yes, we worry too.
    So glad the mama bunny came back!
    Your deer is so beautiful. For some reason she looks bigger than our deer.
    It was so nice of that lady to send you the herbs for Sam. We hope they help.
    Its a little breezy right now as I sit here with the windows open, and its not dark yet. But it makes us think of all of you at Golden Pines as we listen to the chirping of the songs all the birds are singing,
    love
    tweedles

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  27. All three dogs are so beautiful as they stand looking out in the yard. We love that photo
    love
    tweedles

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  28. I love the porch sitting picture. That is a wonderful way to spend a day.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  29. Loved this post, Kim. One of my favorite spots in the entire world is my front porch!

    I'd love to have your recipe for blackberry bread. Sounds delicious!

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  30. First, I have to say how much I adore the picture of Todd, Charlie and the Golden watching through the porch slats.

    Then I have to say, I'd be in that kitchen boiling berries and making blackberry preserves - you are so lucky to have so many.

    Have a great day.

    xo
    Lynn

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  31. It sounds like the perfect Saturday. I'm glad to hear that the Momma bunny showed up. whew! I sure hope that those herbs help Sam, how nice of your friend to have them sent right to you!
    What about some blackberry jam? Easy peasy, just fruit and sugar!

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  32. I love the feeling of peace in your post. Your animals all around you, familiar sounds, a mama bunny... it sounds wonderful. I hope that the rest of your day was peaceful too.

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  33. I have never made blackberry bread. It looks like it would be good!

    You are not the only one who worries. There was a little 3 inch Carolina Box Turtle in the driveway this morning. I picked it up and took it to the side of the yard, in the shade of the fence, where it could hopefully get to the ditch safely.

    Have a wonderful day! :o)

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  34. Kim... I saw your bread pictures and I swear I could smell them. My goodness do they look delicious. The dogs looking out across the yard, can't help but smile at that.

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  35. Looks like a great day for some blackberry goodness.
    would be nice if I did not hear my neighbors!

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  36. You are not alone Kim... we are always worrying about our outdoor friends.. bird nests, rabbits, even spiders (as long as they stay outside). no snakes though- !
    I love any picture you post with the dogs on the porch! I envy your peace and quiet there... Hope you're having a good weekend!

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  37. Sounds like a wonderful Saturday! Glad to hear that Sam was able to enjoy it too.

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  38. My rabbits are back as well ... enjoying the clover in my back yard during the morning hour. That blackberry bread looks delicious ... I love blackberries ... often I have them for lunch with some almond milk poured over them. Hope your week is off to a great start Kim!

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  39. I would just make jam with the blackberries, I love making jam.

    Kim, I am a firm believer in the herbs and natural remedies. I know they will help Sam. :-)

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  40. I am thinking your front porch would be a beautiful place to spend a sunny Sunday!! :)
    xo Catherine

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!