Berry Patch

We like to graze at our house.  We have raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, pears, and plums in our yard so summer is really just a time of moving from one berry patch to the next.  Right now, it's raspberry season.  I did not grow up with berries in the yard (except for strawberries) and didn't know how great fresh fruit off the vine could be.  The raspberries and blackberries are used in pies, jam, smoothies, and eaten straight up.  The pears and plums are mostly dried.  This year, the raspberries are exceptionally large and juicy, probably owing to our cool, wet summer.  At least there is some reward for that!

 

Granted, the compost bin does not do much for this photo.

 

So many berries!

 Ok, these are just gratuitous shots of my Clematis and hollyhock...