• Friday-What'sUP August 9 - 10:49 am

Even though the growing season here in the U.P. is shorter, we still get a nice looking crop of fruits by the time fall rolls around. Donna MacIntosh snapped some shots of a few of those tasty treats as they make their way to ripening, along with some that you should avoid.
Apples UP North are growing plumper and starting to take on a rosy hue, promising a nice crunch at the moment you get to bite into it... but it's not to that point yet.

The next photo shows a good crop of blackberries on their way to becoming pie or maybe some homemade jam. They're no where near ready for picking as of now, but they're definitely taking shape and growing bigger this time of year. It won't be long before they start gaining color and are ready to be plucked off the vine.

Donna's last picture isn't something delectable to eat, but still grows quite well all over the U.P. in the woods, the mushroom. Unless you're skilled at identifying them, it's best to just leave these growths right where they are, because many of them are poisonous to humans. They often adorn the forest floors, adding color, along with interesting shapes and forms. It looks like some critter decided to take a taste of that bright colored yellowish one. I hope it didn't give him a tummy-ache. :->

Nice pictures, but with the cool summer it sure is taking a lot longer for these fruit to be ripe!

Yesterday as Edie and I walked with the dogs down by the dunes, we noticed lots of thimbleberries. But when we went to pick them, they were as hard as a rock! Not only the cold temps this summer, but the lack of moisture at the right time has really affected the quality of the berries this year.

By the way, if you watch our "Day in History" feature, you know we're taking a brief summer break, mainly to catch up on paperwork with a federal broadband grant application. We will send an email alert when the feature resumes, if you request it. So far, the overwhelming number of requests have been from men - which comes as a surprise, because most of the feedback we receive on "Day in History" is from the ladies.

Ummm, the apples bring back sweet memories of our back yard apple trees and my mom making applesauce or pies. Sure do miss that!

The thimbleberries are at their prime in the Bessemer/Black River Harbor area. We picked a good mess there end of last week, Glenda is putting up some wonderful preserves!

We were hiking in Copper Harbor 2 weeks ago and many of the blueberries were ready. Thimbleberries were still white then, my daughter tried to will them ripe but that didn't work out so good for her. Almost saw a 15 year old throw herself on the ground in a fit. She really wanted some thimbleberries and now she's back in Virginia where its too hot and no fresh berries.

Nothing like fruit growing on a tree or a bush.

Nice pictures! We've been seeing lots of berries while we're here. Picking blueberries is fun except for the sore back. Today Mr. Deb is out picking thimbleberries. I stayed home with my mom. Only a couple of days left here. But we're hoping to be back for the Labor Day weekend.

Makes sense that Donna MacIntosh would be taking pictures of apples. J

Is Donna MacIntosh's Grandma named Smith?

Now that second photo does away with the old saying "blackberries are red when they're green", hmmmmmm :) About the Michigan apples....when we lived there and later vacationed in Charlevoix, we always looked forward to the Apple Festival. I love the aroma of apples in autumn!

My dad has already picked fifty quarts of blueberries. He was very
worried that the season was going to be dismal, but though the
season is a might late, the berries are plentiful (in some places) and
yummy.

I'm hoping to get out thimbleberry-ing this weekend, but so far I haven't seen a lot of really ripe, soft ones. I sure hope they're out there!

No..Gram's name wasn't Smith!

BUT...she always told me that banner crops of wild berries and apples meant BIG winter! I mentioned that to my coworker, who's brother in law is a logger, and he said they've not seen a wasp's nest this summer...cause they are building them high! That means a big winter too!

And these apples were blossoms not all that long ago!
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There are a couple of apple trees by us. I am going to pick a few for a pie or two or to can.

Charlie must be busy?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. DEB

Actually, it is Mrs. Deb's special day. Mr is the end of the month...

Who ever is having a birthday, enjoy the heck out of it. ;O)

Going on 10:00 pm. Hope all is ok. Charlie's getting down to crunch time.