Blackberries on Bainbridge

Linus starts preschool next week.  Now that we are back from vacation, I feel a need to cram in every last little bit of fun and cross a few things off my summer to do list.  Growing up, the week of the August 20s meant two things, my Aunt Mary Fran's birthday and the requisite trip to Bainbridge Island to pick blackberries.  I was eager to share the prickly experience with my children.

Dressed in our farmer best, jeans and long sleeved shirts, the kids and I took the ferry over to Bainbridge Island. Linus wore his cowboy hat, just like a real farmer, although I don't think most farmers' hats have a sheriff sticker on them...

I navigated my way across Bainbridge Island by feel to my Aunt Eileen's house.  I haven't driven on the island regularly in 12 years and never really knew street names to begin with.  I got a little confused by all the new housing developments by Fort Ward.  It used to be wetlands and somewhat paved roads, but I managed to eventually find my aunt and uncle's house.  I love it there.  It very old school island with lots of yard, garden, an enormous gnome collection, tons of blackberries.  The whole property just has a great vibe.

After some coffee, my aunt, Eileen, cousin, Emily, the kids, and I headed out across the street to the massive amounts of blackberry bushes.

Eileen preferred to eat the blackberries she picked.

She found it more effective to steal from my bucket and put them in her own.

In addition to devouring massive amounts of blackberries, Eileen kept adding gravel to the buckets.  I am hoping she didn't swallow too many rocks.  Linus discovered that if you jump with an open bucket of blackberries, the berries will scatter all over the ground.  Luckily, he solved his own problem and just picked some more.

Great Grand Eileen (as Linus calls her) and Emily were kind enough to give us the blackberries they picked along side us.  My uncle, Duane, meanwhile picked a large bucket of strawberries from their garden for us.  Done berry picking, we headed to the backyard to eat lunch.  Not surprisingly, Eileen was too full from berries to eat much.

farmer lunch break (thanks Linus for the photo)

playing on the swing set with Uncle Duane (head not shown)

More than picking blackberries, the kids loved playing at my aunt and uncles' house.  There was a real tractor to ride, a dog to play with, a swing set with an incredibly fast slide to play on, a horse made of tires, and a sand box to dig in.  By the time we were ready to leave, those kids were dirty. I enjoyed the adult conversation.   

My aunt is a very talented lady and gifted wood worker.  I am in awe of her abilities, especially since I can't use a screw driver and can barely wield a hammer.  As a parting gift, she loaned the kids two horses she had made Emily when she was young.  The kids are pretty excited.

The kids played hard today and were both asleep by 7:15 pm. The berries are washed.  I put some in the freezer.  I plan to make good use of my mini pie maker.  My aunt also gifted me with a large zucchini.  It will be made into muffins tomorrow.  

I had so much fun.  After a day on Bainbridge with my family, my heart is singing.  Nothing makes me happier than simple days and sharing the best parts of my childhood with my kids.