Friday, June 21, 2013

Summer Solstice


I love the solstices and equinoxes -- those quarter year markers of the passage of the sun along our horizon. It's reached the northern end of the journey and is rising out of our sight, behind those trees but soon will be inching back to center stage.

So summer begins -- and the weather has been idyllic -- warm enough to break a sweat if you're pulling weeds or hoeing, or picking raspberries in the sun. But step into the shade and pull  off that sweaty bandana and straw hat and enjoy a cooling breeze.

Picking the wild black raspberries is a fiddly business -- the ripe ones come off easily but they're tiny and it takes a while to fill a bowl. I haven't made a cobbler yet -- I really like them best uncooked.

And there were two ripe figs . . .

Add some freshly whipped, barely sweetened cream and you have a solstice celebration in a bowl!
 
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13 comments:

Ms. A said...

Around here, even the shade doesn't give much respite from the heat, but it sure beats being in the blazing sun.

I remember those cool, summer evenings in Carolina, after a long day of sun. Heavenly.

Martin said...

An unFIGettable dessert, Vicki!

Merisi said...

Gorgeous sights, captured by a master of the camera!
Happy Solstice,
Merisi

Brian Miller said...

mmm i wanna celebrate...i wanna celebrate! smiles...

Barbara Rogers said...

Happy Solstice to you Vicki! My mouth is watering!

Vicki Lane said...

Oh, Martin ...

Carin said...

Those black raspberries are looking wonderful.
Happy Summer Solstice !

Frances said...

Vicki, what fortune to have the possibility of freshly picked wild berries and figs! Your solstice in a bowl sends a beautiful signal that Summer is Officially Here.

I do hope the sky will be clear tonight ... want a good glimpse of that giant full moon. xo

Mel said...

Delightful! We too have wild black raspberries and I have spoiled my children for life with jellies, jams and syrups made from them. We are a few weeks behind you, but I hope to soon be making a purple mess in my kitchen. I love the solstice as well. If the weather holds, there is a bonfire tonight to celebrate.
Enjoy.

Vicki Lane said...

Black raspberries are a delight -- more subtle than red raspberries and nothing at all like blackberries. If you can bear to part with them, a handful or so infused in a bottle of apple cider vinegar makes a lovely pink raspberry vinegar.

Happy solstice, all!

jennyfreckles said...

I don't think we have wild black raspberries - but anything with thick cream will satisfy me!

Darla said...

I would love to live somewhere again where I could go out and pick my own black raspberries...they're my favorite berry, although that could be because they are tied with memories of my grandparents' farm and long walks with Grandma. :-)

Vagabonde said...

You have figs already? Our tree is covered but they are green – the trees around the fig tree are growing and making more shade and my husband does not want to cut any branches… I did not look at the sun today as I was busy getting 50 years old slides for my posts – it’s hard writing memoirs and finding the right photos. As usual I am behind after our trips and catching up – it’s an old refrain.