22 Cups of Blackberries!

This morning, my Momma, Mary and I drove out to a wonderful little spot on the beach in Ocean Springs to pick blackberries.  They were everywhere, and the scenery was beautiful!  

The shear number of ripe berries, brought out the OCD in me and I found my self unable to stop.  

When I got home, I had to figure out what to do with all of them.  I had some ideas when I headed out to the patch. 

The first thing I wanted to make was a Shrub.  I am growing a fascination with old fashioned drinks, and shrubs are definitely one of the staples.  Shrubs are a drinking vinegar/syrup, usually flavored with fruit and aromatics.  You mix them with soda or still water and booze if you so desire.  They sounded right up my alley. I will post this recipe after it is completed, that will be in about 2 weeks.  Until then, here is a picture of 8 cups of blackberries smashed with 4 cups of sugar!  This mixture will be sitting in my pantry for the next 2 weeks.  I will add some more stuff tomorrow... but... for now.... just sugar and berries. 

One of my favorite things to eat is home made black berry preserves.  My usual recipe for preserves is 3 cups of berries, 1.5 cups of sugar, and zest and juice from one lemon.  Boil for a while, pour into sterilized jars, and process for 10 min.   Some times I add things to my mixture, to spice it up..

I made 2 batches:
To the first batch,  I added a teaspoon of cinnamon, half teaspoon of nutmeg, and half teaspoon of black pepper
To the second, I added 4 bay leaves while it was boiling.  

I cannot wait to put these on toast!