Salmonberry Blossoms

Last year, the berry picking here was abysmal. Actually, I think the die-hard pickers maybe did ok, those who have secret spots–I was told when I first moved here that some folks will take picking locations to their graves. But most of us amateurs didn’t get much. I had no more than a quart of salmonberries, and I had no idea why. It had been a beautiful summer. This week, I started noticing salmonberry blossoms for the first time. They seem to be everywhere. I have never picked in my back yard, but there’s a small field of them down by the lakeside where I took these pictures. Last year, we were traveling for much of May and June and I missed the berry blossom season. I can’t tell whether the seeming abundance of blossoms portends a good berry year or not. I have heard a few folks commenting optimistically, so I’m hopeful.

Salmonberry Blossoms

Could it actually be spring here? It’s a long time coming. We spent most of the day at the little league ball field. Selma and Jay are both playing for the first time and enjoying it. It seems like everyone in town filters through the ball field on a Saturday and there’s a “snack shack” with the typical ballpark fare (minus the beer). Now, it’s 6:20 and Selma’s still out riding her bike, and James has started up the lawn mower. That must make it official.

Last night, my friend Chelsea came over and photographed my new shawl which will be part of a soon-to-be released book from Stitch Cooperative, I think it will also be sold as a single pattern. The shawl is called Persuasion. It’s crocheted from lace-weight alpaca and it offered surprising warmth in the chilly evening despite the openwork of the pattern. I think it will get a lot of wear this year. Anyway, here’s a sneak peek:

Sneak Peek - Persuasion

Finally, congratulations to Linda Lindley, she’s the winner of Melissa Leapman’s Color Knitting the Easy Way. Linda, your book will be in the mail soon!

Salmonberries and other signs of spring