Berries and Cooking!

I am in a 'You-Pick' fruit/vegetable land!  Not that I'm a big fan of fruit...but I do love experimenting in the kitchen.

When I was working at my Dad's church I noticed some blackberries...tons of blackberries.  As I was picking the berries some thoughts came to mind:

1.  Why aren't there animals eating this fruit?

2.  If there is a drought in my state, why are the berries so juicy?

3.  What is the difference between a cobbler, crisps, and crumble?

4.  I can't believe these are free!

So far I have picked around 30 cups of blackberries (some might want to call them black caps/black raspberries)....but I have been told by a local that they are blackberries.

 Found out a 'crisp' is a fruit dessert with oats on top.  The blackberries were so sweet that I added some peaches (from the neighbors tree).

 Put a brown sugar/oat mixture on top.  Next time I would use regular oats....these oats were like little balls...didn't care for them.

Decided to make a 'blackberry cobbler' for the church picnic with the blackberries I picked at the church....How cute is that?

Next time I would use a different recipe...this was too dense for me...I want something more like a cake.

I thought I would try my hand at making hamburgers.  

 Apparently, I was suppose to make them flat and large...not small and fat. 

So, my cooking endeavors need a lot of work.......and the quest continues.

Have to Find a Yard!

It is never a good sign when I feel a need to cut my own hair.  I love the power of cutting things back...but when it ends with a mullet (because I can't see the back of my hair) this can be very dangerous....and expensive to fix.

When I owned my house I found that when I used power tools to cut back plants I was less likely to cut my own hair.....however, I don't have a house anymore!  YIKES!!!!!   I noticed that I was eying those scissors!!!!

Time to find a yard and save my hair!

Perfect.....my dad's church.  Dying plants, overgrown bushes, unwanted trees, lots of weeds, and grass growing in weird places.   Hopefully, I can come up during the week and cut to my hearts delight and people might perceive my work as 'an improvement'!  

I know my 'non-green thumb' has a hard time killing succulents.  So these have been my go-too plant of choice.

 Some bark-dust to add color

And to give the illusion that the entire yard isn't dead.

Airport.

                                           People, Great Food, Lights, and Shopping.  

                                             Airports are a playground for my eyes!

Just Some Pics to Remind Me of Blessings!

A little tennis with my dad.

 Summer is usually a time to regroup, re-energize, take some type of training, and cram in tons of time with family.  But since I am unemployed, it's weird.......How do I balance getting a job and 'summer vacation'?  Don't know if I'll end up answering this....but for future endeavors I want some kind of documentation of how I managed trying to find this balance.

My cousin found a new friend...Ha..Ha..Ha...so cute!

 Rock throwing.....which might have confused him with wanting to hit people's faces......same arm action/different results.

Trying to find Math Apps to help someone I'm tutoring.

A dear, dear, man passed away this summer.  My heart just goes out to this family.  Even though I am happy he is in heaven, I trying not to be upset that he was taken too soon from our lives.  His characteristics of being loving, compassionate, hard working, witty, funny, adventurous, selfless, man after God's own heart, devoted, sympathetic, empathetic, smart, and humble gives me reason to feel blessed to have known him.  

Amongst these times of adventures, sorrows, and activities there is also a balance of test taking, program searching, application filling, interviewing, making connections, and praying.   A lot of praying.


Love me a church picnic on a farm!

A great place to be reminded of God's blessings.

Cats....

There once was an old cat that was used to peace and quiet.  He moved around to different states but was always in a position to get his way and being content with instant gratification.  Across the U.S. was another cat that was playful and active with her young child companions.  She was very attached and protective of her family. 

One day these cats were put in the same house.  For the old grumpy cat he was annoyed by a younger feline that was seeking a playmate, since her's had gone on vacation.

Sabrina wanting to play.....

Jack telling her 'no'.......

Poor Dad....can't get any work done with both cats wanting attention.

Snuggle time with my baby.....

Since he only has the first layer of hair...he likes to snuggle for warmth.

Maybe if Sabrina is persistent enough....Jack will eventually warm up to her.

Sabrina ready to play....waiting for Jack to finish eating.

Trying to give Sabrina some attention...she is so heavy!!!!  Hard to breath!!!!!!  Arms too weak to carry her!!!!!

Some More Kayaking

A beautiful summer day...maybe a little too hot for kayaking in a boat that doesn't have a cup holder.  But a fun activity to get outdoors, spend time with family, and exercise.

 Dad trying to find someone to help us.

 Checking out the right size so he doesn't flip over.

I was nervous about bringing my camera and phone out on the water in case I flipped over, so I don't have any shots of us out on the river.  Dad and I went into a little stream off the main river for a tranquil ride.  It was amazingly peaceful and adventurous at the same time.

Me after the kayaking....not bad

When we were driving home my dad saw a Mexican restaurant that he liked.  So, we stopped in for a bite to eat.  And too my surprise I found.....

YOYO'S!!!!  So excited.  They were pretty good.  I would have preferred more frosting in the middle; like the ones in Dallas.  But at least they weren't stale and didn't have raisins in them.

Our stomachs were full, positive endorphins floating in our brains, and abs exhausted from some good belly laughs!  Success!