BEfore a Berry Hunt I appease the GODS of Abundance and wear the blood of my pursuit to ensure a fruitful harvest. 

I finally picked those wild elderberries we have growing every which way out here and made some lovely elderberry jam on  Tuesday.  It takes a lot of elderberries to make a pint of jam, but my efforts and sacred berry picking rituals, allowed me to find enough berries for 4.5 pints of the magical stuff.  Oh yes, it is divine.  Made the way I make all my other jams, with low sugar, Green Tea, powdered Vit C and a few drops of Stevia to boost the sweet.  Sorry, I haven't a smidge to spare, these little lovely jars are staying right here with me.  BUT!!!  If you stop over for a visit I will indeed share...if only to see your face go YUM and to hear you boast of it's utter deliciousness.

Elderberries are so good for you too and full of many health BEnefits, particularly for the immune system.  Elderberries are the main ingredient in Sambucol a European cold remedy that will cure all your ills, well... colds and flu anyway.  So the next time I get to feeling a little run down, I won't need to swig from the Sambucol bottle, instead I'll spread some jam on a biscuit and watch the bugs skidaddle!

My next exotic jam pursuit is going to be hot pepper, crabapple jam.  I have heaps of crabapples out here and never thought they would offer any food BEnefit, until this past winter, when a little, old lady on the phone gave me inspiration and instructions for making the most delightful little spreads.  I could have talked to her for hours but the boss you know, she frowned on long, drawn out conversations with customers so...

My raspberries are crazy productive right now too and they must BE picked everyday so as not to lose any of those delicate lovelies.  Some of the raspberries are eaten on the spot, others turn into pie, others find their way into a blender with ice and lemonade, others I give away, and the rest get frozen to BEcome jam on another day.  GOD is abundant with my raspberry patch so...come pick from my bushes and ENJOY!

BE WELL.

I painted my body in henna too and danced in the sun amongst the flowers.

My field of flowers is in in full bloom now too and whenever I look out my south windows this is what I see....it makes me want to dance.