GOOD MORNING IDITABUDS

[fladogfan]

My Dad was from New Jersey and we visited there in the summers. One of my favorite treats was going huckleberry picking with him in the pine woods. So tasty.

[JeanieB]

Blueberries, in the mountains and valleys of western Virginia are mostly cultivated, but there are wild huckleberries in the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. They are tiny, hard to pick, and in areas where there are lots of rattlesnakes and copperheads. My Dad and I used to pick them, and I have occasionally as an adult, but it is a lot of work! It takes a whole lot of walking and picking to get enough for a pie, but they are loaded with flavor and incredibly juicy. Makes my mouth water to think of them.

[Moose]

I've never tried huckleberries. Must remedy that.

Last fall, I welcomed my new neighbors (he a Mainer originally/she a California girl) with hot apple crisp and whipped cream. The following week, I found a tissue paper wrapped jar of Olallieberry jam on my doorstep. Also an untasted (actually, unheard of) berry for me. From California, I'm told. Unusual taste, but good on toast.

[Breeze]

I'n not quite sure what others call huckleberries are the same as what I've always called huckleberries. " Upta camp" ( that's downeast dialect), picking berries is almost blood sport. Maine Wild Blueberries have a silvery bloom on top of the blue. In almost every expanse of blueberry picking, there are slightly taller plants with much darker berries, and all my life they've been called huckleberries. Not a big deal, as they went right into the berry box with their cousins, and by the time they were in pie, cake, muffins, pancakes or jam, no one knew or cared they were any different.

[fladogfan]

I always thought of huckleberries as wild blueberries.
Picked some in Virginia keeping an eye out for bears and snakes.
Found some, years ago here in Florida, was walking my dog Eggs who liked them also. Taught her how to pick the ripe ones. She was very gentle with her picking, left the greens to ripen.

[Moose]

Eggs. Love that name. What's the story behind it?

Nearly all our dogs have been berry pickers. Also very gentle. I loved watching as they wrapped their soft lips around each individual berry and gently pulled it into their mouths. Wild strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries. Each in its season.

[braider]

TSFR... Where are you?

[tanglefoot]

Morning all!

So this look like old times. Aliy leading into Iditarod and martin buser behind.
I inow they arnt the real 1,2 in the race but its nice to see martin doing so well this year

[Moose]

If my memory is correct, this is the first year Martin hasn't been on my TTP list. I felt bad leaving him off. If it turns out it was a mistake, I'll celebrate hugely for him!

[libby the lab]

Braider-TSFR, LUV and I were in chat last night. He is working lots if doubles