Back to Thimbleberries

Surprise! My granddaughter had this shipped to me and what a surprise gift! I didn't know it was available! Just today I took pictures of the 3 cuttings I made last week from the large bushes here and now I shall have a taste!

Product Details

The Copper Country of Upper Michigan is well-known for our beloved thimbleberries that only grow in the woods along the old railroad grades and logging roads of the northern parts of the U.P. Thimbleberry jam has a robust, rich flavor that is a old-time family favorite on toast or muffins. Try it drizzled on top of your favorite baked bars or as a topping on some fresh vanilla ice cream. You'll love it! This Wild Thimbleberry Jam does not have any added Pectin, additives or fillers.

• Brand: UP Foods
• Measurement: 9 ounces (255 grams)
• Country: Sourced in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Made in U.P. of Michigan
  
  

Looking Back 8 Years

When I was able to walk through the woods! 

Topic: Thimbleberries. From old blog.

If you're lucky enough to have these delicious scarlet berries in your area, here is an easy jam recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Thimbleberries
• 2 cups sugar

Preparation:

Do not wash the thimbleberries—pick them over to remove debris and insects. Mix the sugar and berries, then bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Pour into sterilized jars and seal at once. The thimbleberry, unlike other berries, contains a natural pectin.

An excellent native bramble shrub with thornless stems - a treat for berry lovers, but not as much of a treat as the taste! Thimbleberry grows rapidly and forms dense thickets of upright 4-6' stems.The large, downy maple-like leaves are 4-8" across. The tart, red, edible fruits tumble into your hand when ripe. Birds love these berries and often it is a race to see who gets the first taste!

The pink thimbleberry flowers resemble a wild rose. The flowers borne are white or pink and are usually found in clusters of two to six. The thimbleberry fruit is not a true berry but an aggregate fruit. The fruit is larger, flatter, softer and with more seeds than other berries. This soft red berry plant is a species of Rubus genus. This species is botanically known as Rubus parviflorus, and also by many other common names such as western thimbleberry, mountain sorrel, western thimble raspberry, etc. Native to western and northern North America, the berries are used for making jam. This plant is not cultivated widely for its berries as they are soft and prone to damage but they are very sweet. The berries turn from pink to scarlet when fully ripe and are soft, cup-shaped and full of tiny seeds. It is easy to know when to harvest them: when ripe they tumble effortlessly from the branches at the slightest touch. They ripen extremely fast–just a few hours on a sunny day can turn a hard, pink berry red, soft and ready. These grow on the steep bank beside the dirt road. They should be ready for picking soon. 

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Clear Day

After two nearby counties had disastrous damage due to tornadoes last evening, we have a clear day today. It is very windy however and I'm working on a short video to show you at another time. 

The lake entrance sign was being spruced up by a resident volunteer team this morning.

A neighbor has luscious Iris in bloom among her other stunning garden pretties. Mine are hidden in weeds this year.

The poppies are out by the road next door. What color they have!

Thimbleberry blossoms then berries if we can beat the birds!

 And the sky is blue with a hearty cloud too!

 please click on image to view LARGER!

Sundry Shoots

Yes, I was able to find a Monarch Butterfly but it wouldn't stay put for the best shot. Meanwhile, back at the cabin my larvae is gobbling at the leaves in the jar. 

Up in the old rock garden the Mister's geranium is thriving in its pipe pot.

At one end of the garden the Wild Snapdragon (aka Toadflax) haven't bloomed but at the top of the area they have. Pretty yellow fellows!

There is a large group of this plant but I can't seem to identify it. HELP! It gives off a medicinal type aroma when crushed. No flower buds are evident.

And up on the edge of the road the Thimble Berries are beginning to form. The problem is that just as soon as one is mature, the birds eat them and there is no chance of me even plucking a cupful of ripe ones. I was lucky to even see them today!

Chomp, Chatter and Ladybird protect the garden from the local bear.

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