A Bit of Blackberry Cobbler

Berries are not very prevalent here. Strawberries are the only exception, sitting in plump piles of unnatural size and color due to the chemicals that are pumped in their little bodies. Sometimes I buy the imported frozen blueberries or raspberries that are sold at one singular store for a hefty price. So the other day when I happened upon these fresh, healthy looking blackberries priced like fruit ought to be in China, I had to snatch them up.

 I've never made anything with blackberries before. Pinterest provided some exciting ideas... spritzers, cocktails, pies, cobblers. I went with the cobbler so everyone could enjoy it and enjoy it we did. I'll share the recipe here- it's very simple and I only changed a few minor things which may or may not have made it better. The best part was how well the whipped cream actually whipped up. Usually it's a sad little dribble of barely thickened liquid. But last night, the gods were smiling and it was as firm and fluffy as a pile of cotton- except of course, way tastier.

Easy Blackberry Cobbler

(adapted from this recipe)

4 cups fresh blackberries

1 T. lemon juice

sugar to taste (depending on sweetness/tartness of your berries)

1 or 2 tsp cinnamon

1 large egg

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

6 T. cold butter

whipped cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place blackberries in a lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish; sprinkle with lemon juice, cinnamon, and sugar (if needed). Stir together sugar and flour; cut in butter with pastry cutter. Add egg and stir until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake at 375 for 35 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream.

I'm Back... with a Baby

My, oh my. Quite the hiatus we've had here. Quite the year. It's been slow going and arduous in many ways and I think that has shown itself in almost every area of my life, including the state of this blog. But we are coming around. 

The weather has brightened up, for one. Just when you think you may lose it if there is one more cold, rainy, overcast day... the sun comes out and the air warms up and for a few short months we are enveloped in this little cocoon of loveliness. I won't say it hasn't done wonders for our mental health. It has possibly even made us better parents, spouses, heck- citizens of the world.

Beyond the weather, we added a member to our family! What began as a time of trepidation shortly after our arrival in our new home, as we found out much to our surprise that we were pregnant with our fourth child, has now come full circle and we joyfully and I can even say gratefully and with great delight welcomed our third little man and fourth crazy kid into the world on April 17. He's a dream baby so far. It's like he knew he needed to steal our hearts right from the get-go and he has not wasted any time. We all adore him and he makes it so easy with his chilled manner, gorgeous chubby cheeks and kissable little lips. He took to nursing like a champ, sleeps and wakes and does all that stuff you work so hard to get babies to do with ease. I keep saying, "how long is this going to last?" Love him.

I'm also posting a few birth announcements I had fun playing around with. The Man says I should start a new business... sarcastic birth announcements. I don't know what my problem is.

We have been graciously carried along through so much this year and I am feeling grateful and hopeful that we are rounding the bend a little. There have been a few moments, walking home in the late evening with the leaves rustling slightly in a warm breeze, or in the early hours of a bright new day beginning, when we have looked at each other and said, "we're doing okay... I even feel like I'm starting to like it here..." and that is a good feeling. I look at my four kids and though I'm battling fatigue and the irritation that seems to inevitably come with it... I love them and can't believe that they have really all come through this singular body and entered into our family to stay. It feels complete.