Caleb pushes the girls. (Photo by Cadence Purdy.)

Millie left with a few in her bucket and a belly brimful.

When we got home, I looked up from my berry-tasks to find Millie doing this. When questioned, she told me she was making berry juice. While picking berries, she told my sister what she intended to make with her berries, and she and Debbie made a deal-- half of one of Debbie's pies for half of Millie's juice.

It looked like this and tasted heavenly.

I Did Not Forget

(I simply neglected to remember.)

Leah, for you, a pesto recipe.

Dani, for you, a salsa recipe.

And for you pickle-lovers, I edited the pickle recipe to include the mustard seed that I add to the jars.

For these three and more, go build your belly.

Good Things.

This morning:
The husky breathing of a satisfied baby
curled against me with her belly filled warm.

This afternoon:
Two girls who giggled so loud while blowing bubbles outside that I unwittingly grinned in the midst of grumpy-mama-bear chores.

Tonight:
A husband-friend who sleeps soundly on the couch to keep me company.
An open window as I stand guard at the kitchen stove.
The even regularity of rainsound.
The feel of fitful breezes.
Canning juicy peaches at midnight.
Sticky sweetness running from my fingers to my elbows.
Slurp.

After Debbie's birthday party (a month ago: these are outdated snaps, too), I took 8 of the tuzzins down to the horse pasture crick.

Her desire overcoming trepidation, Cassie approaches Princess, who's known to be a bit of a snit.

Millie resting halfway there.

Huckleberry runs ahead.

Dakota is all boy. He stalked through these brambles in a most manly fashion after determining that the blackberries weren't yet ripe.