Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Blackberry Monday

I made it up to see My Boy yesterday. It had been a week since I'd last seen him. I haven't gone that long since last winter! I felt like a neglectful mother. He seemed happy to see me (it was feeding time) and ate carrots and let me catch him on the first try. Other than fuzzier hair and a slightly rubbed out tail, he looked the same. I brushed off the dried mud and then took him up to the arena. We did a lot of circling at the trot. He moved out fairly well and I could tell the weather change had him feeling the Autumn frisk. The arena was a bit slick from the recent downpour or I would have turned him loose and free longed him.

Afterwards, I let him graze. He was content to munch on the late summer grass in the fading afternoon sun. Then I fed him his supplement and hay and said goodnight.

Before I left the Painted Creek, I checked on those blackberries I've been eyeing all summer. To my surprise many of them had ripened. I fetched a Tupperware and began to pick. Let me tell you, it was a risky business. I tried to avoid disturbing spider webs, and got bit and grabbed by giant thorns several times (luckily I wore long sleeves.) Goodness, many of the berries were so plump and ripe they fell into my fingers at the suggestion of a touch. A lot of the berries are still red or green, so there is promise of more to come. I have cousins visiting this Labor Day weekend, and I am hoping to throw together a pie. I say "throw together" because I will be mixing the berry filling but pouring it into a pre-made pie crust. Despite many pie-making talents that run in the family, this pony girl will not be making a crust from scratch. Or should I try?

21 comments:

  1. go store bought on the crust! Glad you got to see your boy. Now an update on your canter work please

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  2. I buy the store bought only because when I attempt pastry, I end up with cardboard. I am actually a fairly decent cook. In the past I had trouble with rice, bread and pastry. I have mastered bread and rice (moved on to risotto) but pastry still alludes me! My friend swears that it is simple to make in a food processer but Tenderflake never fails me. I give it an egg wash and sprinkle sugar on it to make it extra crispy and it looks homemade!

    My gelding was feeling the cool weather this evening too!

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  3. 20 Meter~ you've read my mind! I intend to talk about canter work in my next post. ;)

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  4. I have never been able to make a good pie crust. So I always go store bought. Got tired of ruining my pies with bad crusts, so gave up.
    Those berries look scrumptious. They would never make it to the pie stage around Meg and I.

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  5. Are you really making me a blackberry pie? That is one of my favorites! We will need to get icecream :)

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  6. Ooh! Blackberry pie, YUM! I'm with the majority on this one; I don't fool with pie crusts anymore. Last time? 5 tries later I was headed for Betty Crocker in the freezer aisle at midnight. I'll stick with brownies & cake where I have a prayer of success.

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  7. Store bought crusts are good and work well - don't worry about using one...

    I used to use them all the time until my Mom stayed with me for a few days. I wouldn't take her out shopping until she taught me how to make grandma's pie crust! lol I had watched my mom and grandma make pies throughout my childhood, but couldn't get it right. So we spent the afternoon and made a dozen or so crusts (that I put in the freezer). I have the hang of it now.

    Can't wait to hear about your canter work!!

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  8. Girl either way! I do it both! Buy store bought and make homemade! The secret I have found with homemade crusts is: drumroll please! LOL! Any way, is that when you get it made up, divide into 2 crusts and place in plastic wrap and put into frig for about 30 mintues or so and the crust will be easier to handle and not get sticky. Blackberry pie, yum-O! Those berries are so huge we would call them dewberries here! And I agree with BECG I would have probably eaten them all before I got home!!
    Glad to see My Boy!!

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  9. I used to pick blackberries from horse back...

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  10. Hi Pony Girl!
    The only pie crust I have ever made was a graham cracker one, not a pastry one. I can say a graham cracker crust is pretty easy and delicious. I just follow the instructions on the graham cracker crumbs box. Never tried pastry though. Another great use of berries are cobblers where you basically pour a simple flour mixture over the berries and bake. Foodtv.com is great for recipies.
    Your Boy sure looks cute grazing. Have a wonderful weekend, Pony Girl.

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  11. I use the premade crusts and frankly they are yummy. I grew up w/blackberry cobbler but I don't like it anymore, can't stand the little seeds. But my hubby loves it!

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  12. I always buy pre made pie crusts, it's just so much easier and I love to bake. Don't worry, we won't tell!

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  13. haha...I have to disagree with everyone and tell you to MAKE the pie crust. It is really easy. The trick is just to use ice water...that helps it be less sticky when you roll it out...homemade tastes so yummy! You can really taste the difference.

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  14. I say the store bought crust! LOL, You hand picked the berries! That must acount for something!

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  15. Mmmmm, those blackberries look yummy. I'm with you re: the store bought pie crust. For the amount of work involved in making homemade pie crust, there just isn't enough of a difference to make it worth while.

    I really should get out there and check our local berry bushes. It just seems wrong not to take advantage of produce that's just free for the taking. Especially when the same product is so expensive in the stores.

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  16. I feel your pain on not seeing your horse, when I (finally) get to see mine tomorrow it will be just over two weeks! :(

    As for the pie, go with the store bought and then there are no worries about it not turning out and the berries being wasted.

    By the way, I've never had blackberries :o What are they like?

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  17. Hi there again, thanks for the info re: the chinks. I'll check out the website. Your boy is adorable! And those berries do look delish - they are just coming on around here too - if I want any, I'll have to be quick because our horses gobble them up as fast as they ripen!! As for the crust; I was always intimidated by pie crust until I discovered 2 secrets to "perfect every time". 1) Use ice water and 2) Use a pastry cutter (that way the dough stays cold and doesn't get warmed up by your hands). No comparison - definitely worth the trouble to go homemade! Go ahead - you can do it!! BTW, I can't figure out how to sign in with my name - will give it another go. Wish me luck

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  18. I used to make my own pie crust. Honestly, store bought tastes just as good. Sometimes even better! Hee!

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  19. In regards to pie crust, I have done both, but I am usually short on time and opt for the store bought version.

    The blackberries are definitely yummy right now :)

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  20. Oh goodness, you all have me feeling inspired to make my own crust, and yet so intimidated! Okay, I think I will do store bought this time. Because I have been as busy as a super busy bee at work and I want this weekend with my family to be more relaxing and about eating the pie rather than making it. One question about store bought pie crusts: do you buy the dough pre-made and roll it out into a pie pan? Or can you buy one that is already in the pie pan? Know what I mean? At this point, I might just be purchasing a Sara Lee blackberry pie! ;)

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  21. I am glad you had gotten up to see MyBoy. I can't image how you must feel about not seeing your horse on a daily basis.
    I love the interaction of feeding them every morning and nite and rubbing on them all the time.

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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