Eating in Nature: Do's and Don'ts

I will state right away

that I am not a pro at knowing

all the 'foods' of the wild;

however, there are some basics that

I think it would be wise to know

even if you were just traveling.

Last weekend, Mr. LB went

motorcycling with a friend.

I went along, dropped him off, then

went into town to get some groceries.

I returned way before they were back

so I began to get my camera and walk around.

I found a bush full of beautiful rose-hips

so I went back to the pick-up and got

a cup so I could pick some.

DO

As I was picking,

there were several people who

asked what kind of berries they were.

One fella even said, after I had answered him,

"Are they edible?"

I told him they were.

I didn't think rose-hips were anything weird,

but evidently a lot of folks

don't even know what they are.

And just for your knowledge,

you are supposed to wait until after the

first frost to pick them.

So I decided to show just a couple

very common things.

DO

Elderberries can be eaten just as they are

or made into such things as:

jelly, syrup, or of course wine.

They are a little seedy if you eat them just plain,

but the juice is very flavorful.

DON'T

I only know these as coyote berries.

Do Not eat these!

They are poisonous.

Blackberries are common; however, 

there are two kinds around here.

The ones with the big fat leaves are good.

The ones with the skinny pointy leaves are bitter.
The berries look the same, 
but the flavor is reeeealllly different.

These aren't uncommon things,
but I sure get the questions
when I am picking them.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Oh My Garland, Christmastime

Okay, I know this is mean.  You can sing the title of the post to the tune of Clementine.  See, now it's going to be stuck in your head all day.  

I have been busy working on goodies for the one and only show I am doing this year.  A little hometown bazaar in Athena, Oregon, December 8th.

  

I have been making several types of garland.  The raggedy one looks so comforting on the tree or in greenery.  

The pine cones add a bit of a rustic or natural look. 

 And then there is the rose hip garland.  I just love it.  I have considered keeping it (so selfish I know.)  I probably won't, but it is my favorite.  Rose hips dry up so neat that next year, even though they will have a little different look, they will still be beautiful.

I am taking the week between Thanksgiving and December first as a week of peace.  I mean in the house.  I have all the autumn decor back in the totes and put away, and I'm not bringing out the Christmas decor until next weekend.  I have moved furniture and cleaned in preparation for a tree and all the fixins, but I am just enjoying the clean.

Don't worry, I will have three trees in the house by Christmas.  I will show you those in due time. 

More to come,

Until next time

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

PS. In case you were wondering, I have 256 of the 396 Cathedral Window blocks ironed and secured with a little bead which will embellish the corners where each of those 396 blocks meet.