Thursday, July 18, 2013

Reaching the Destination




If you can't make your pie in the same day that you picked your Blackberries....keep them in a cool dry place.  They will be fine for a couple of days and do better than in the fridge.  Don't wash them either, until you are ready to eat them.

I just add some fresh water to the container and kind of stir them with my hand.  The sticks and leaves just kind of float to the top.  Then....into the colander they go to drain.
Here is the filling recipe:
You will see the word "about"  because I am not hardline about anything :)
Feel free to substitute your favorite ingredients!

About 6 cups freshly washed Blackberries
About 1 cup white sugar ( I prefer brown, but white makes better juice)
Gently mix these together and let sit for about 10 min. while you assemble the Pie Crust ingredients.
You can preheat your oven at any time now to about 425 degrees.

The Pie Crust has its own story.......which you will now get to read:
     Many, many years ago I used to cry when I tried to make a pie crust because I could not get it to roll out well and it would fall apart before I got it into the plate.  Makes you NOT want to make pies.  However, I persevered and became a competent pie maker.  Later I discovered that I have an allergy to soy...which seems to be in everything.  Shortening is soy.  I'm not big on lard....so what to do?  I asked my mom and she had a simple oil pie dough recipe that you "mash" into the pan....really easy.
     I had changed the oil that I was using and started using Sunflower Oil.  If you like sunflower nuts, this oil gives a wonderful flavor to your pie crust.  I rearranged some of the other ingredients and here is the recipe for the crust:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oats (oatmeal)
1  tablespoon dark brown sugar (packed and heaping)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sunflower oil
3 Tablespoons milk

Mix it all together with a small spoon...put into your 10" pie plate and press the dough on the bottom and up the sides to make the crust.

Now to finish the filling:
Stir the Blackberries, they should be juicy by now.
Add 3 Tablespoons of Whole Wheat Flour one at a time and gently stir it in.  This will thicken up the berries, so all the juice doesn't leak out into the pie plate.

Spoon the berries into the crust and as soon as your oven is up to temp., pop it in for about 40 minutes or until it smells and looks like it is ready to come out!
We had some peach ice cream....it was delicious!
Bon Appetite!
Enjoy!
 

Sunday, July 14, 2013

The Destination.....Homemade Blackberry Pie

Picking Blackberries is a renewed memory from when I was a teenager.   The pie is one of my own creations in the past month.
The journey is the experience of strolling thru the beautiful countryside in search of the wonderful blackberry.  This is where we're headed today!
This blackberry stand is in a cow pasture at the end of our property.  Some day I will figure out how to get the sound in my video, so that you can hear the birds singing and the breeze blowing.

For those that have never been on a berry hunt....this is how these critters grow.  The berries are perched on STICKER bushes...so beware.  Ahhh! but the stickers are a small price to pay for the flavor of the berry.

Here are some close-ups of these tiny jewels...the little pink and red ones need days of rain and sunshine before they are ready!
 
Sampling the biggest, juiciest berries is not only permitted...but required.
Be sure to take some time while you are sampling to look around for other wonders out here in nature...and listen to birds, frogs, ......
That little blacksnake is more frightened of you than you should be of him...give him a minute and brother snake will be on his way.
When our fingers are stained...when our tongues are black...that is the time to turn back!
 
Tomorrow we will finish the journey with our pie making and baking and best of all....Eating!!!
 
Hope y'all have enjoyed...I have
Thanks for visiting,
Diane

Monday, July 8, 2013

The balance of Intimacy & Anonimity

As I was out picking blackberries this morning, I was treated to the insight of blogging.  I had chosen to share some more of my paintings, but had nothing to say...I usually let the work speak for itself.

I have this incredible need to share....I have this incredible desire to be by myself. 

Welcome to my space while staying in your own comfortable space.
I share...You enjoy....there are no awkward or embarrassing moments.
No need to compliment, or accept compliments.  No comments needed.
I am comfortable in my own place while I share...You are in yours while you enjoy.
Wear the clothes that you like...drink your favorite drink...share with your mates, or don't share at all.
If I don't interest you...don't continue.  I've already filled my desire...I've shared.
I am not sharing as I experience, I'd rather do that alone.  Then share as I saw it, "Thru My Eyes".  Sometimes I can share the sounds of the moment...sometimes I'll add music that I like...Too bad that I cannot share the fragrances or flavors...I'll leave you to fill in for yourself.

These are some of my Loving Portraits.....Please Enjoy!
Thanks for visiting!
 

Friday, July 5, 2013

First Friday Art Walk

This is a way to celebrate with other artists and get our work out to others once a month.  This is a team activity where we promote each other's shops, studios, and artwork.
Please enjoy!!!!!
https://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjI5NDk2OXwyNzI0NzAwODQy/art-walk-weekend-july

Here is one of my pieces included in this "show"



Thanks for stopping by my "studio" this afternoon enjoy the show and have a glass of wine!

Let me introduce you to some of my Art!

These are some pieces that I have had on etsy, and some more that I have made....but not shared.  Of course I won't share them all at once....then you would have nothing to come back for!
If something strikes your fancy....and you really need to have it....leave a comment and we can talk about how to get it to you.....
A few of the pieces have sold, so if you are interested let me know right away.
Have fun...if not for you, turn someone else on to these one of a kind creatures.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Still Getting Comfortable

I get these ideas for posting....then when I sit down in front of my screen, my brain freezes up and I don't know what to say.

Thanks to all that have taken the time to peek at my blog and to those who've liked, a special thanks!

I picked some more blackberries yesterday afternoon...what a treat!  I haven't decided what to bake them into yet, but I had a bowl with a little milk on them for breakfast.  The pie I made is an original recipe and the crust is a special kind.  If you would like the recipe, just ask and I'll post it for you.  I use it all the time and then just change the fillings.

Here are a few pictures of our Spring Garden...I'll post some of the summer one a little later.  We're getting ready to eat our first tomato of the season :)




The broccoli did grow up large enuff to eat. HaHa!
The cauliflower was planted too late and I sacrificed it to the Cabbage Looper Moth larvae.  But I plan to plant it all again for the fall when the bugs aren't too bad.

Time to go...Dan is at the house baking Homemade Bread and we love it best straight from the pan.
Talk to y'all next time!

 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Learning how to Blog!

Here I go...
Hello to all that want to listen.  I'm sharing "stuff with the world" about my life....Mostly with pictures: of my art, other peoples art, nature, food...
How I view the  world Naturally thru My Eyes.
I'll share some links, videos, music for whomever wants to follow.

First is what I made today:

Blackberry Pie from berries fresh picked...with peach icecream for topping.
It was great!
This was pretty painless...let's see what tomorrow brings!