One of my very favorite summer things to do in the Branson area is picking berries at Persimmon Hill Farms. Persimmon Hill is about an hour from Branson--and worth every single mile!
It's become a yearly tradition in early June to meet my sister and her dear friend Wendy--and all the kids--and to go blueberry picking. (Click here for Wendy's AMAZING blueberry cobbler recipe! Scroll to the bottom...)
That's exactly what we did last Wednesday. It was a PERFECT day to pick! Cool and sunny, and not too crowded.
Here are the youngest 3 ready to get started. Aren't they sweet...as blueberry pie?
Persimmon Hill provides the buckets and rope to tie around your waist...or messenger bag style like Sara Beth.
We started in the blueberry section, but realized there weren't many blueberries left. The mild winter and spring brought the berries extra early this year--and we were about a week past the peak blueberries.
So, we headed over to the blackberries. I had never picked blackberries before, and was happy to find out that they were just as easy to pick as blueberries.
Here's Nathan, showing me his blackberry. But, he did NOT want to eat it, no siree.
So, I ate it. And maybe another one...or fifteen...
When the kids got tired, they just found a shady spot beneath the bushes, and sat a while...and ate a few berries, too!
I really love this next picture. We only see Caroline and her sisters a couple of times a year, but Sara Beth and Caroline picked right up just like they were best buddies!
Right after I took this picture, they assured me I could go on and leave them. Since Sara Beth was 7 and Caroline was 6, Sara Beth could babysit.
Normally, I am rushing around through life, and don't always take time to notice the little things... But, when I took the picture below--of me with a handful of blackberries, I remember thinking how BLESSED I felt in that moment.
Blessed to be enjoying the sun-warmed fruits plucked right off their stems. Blessed to be enjoying the sweet-tasting berries God created for his children to enjoy.
In that moment, I stopped and wondered what other blessings in life do I miss? The amazing things God gives to me--all ready to pluck and enjoy--that either I rush past, or gobble up, without recognizing its generous giver.
But, I am thankful that last Wednesday, I was able to stop for a moment, and thank the Creator of the juicy blackberries and blueberries.
Have you had a moment of quiet gratefulness recently?
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! -Psalm 34:8
