Crown of Blackberries

I had a few blackberries sitting in my fridge that were demanding my attention. I pondered about  what to do with them when I came across an ad from IHOP and I was suddenly craving pancakes. I put them in a pot and muddled them up with sugar, butter, vanilla and a touch of bourbon. Reduced them down and poured them on some homemade buttermilk pancakes. Not only were they delicious to eat but my house smelled incredible for hours. 

           

I love Blackberries. They are comfort food and take me back to long warm summers at my Granny Ina's  house in the back of nowhere West Virginia. Her house was off of a dirt road by a creek and she had chickens. 

                               
                    Country road in Preston County, West Virginia by Grayspace Imigery

She traded eggs for cream and milk with a lady who had a dairy cow who lived a a mile down the road and she was known to make homemade wine from Grapes she grew. 

Legend tells that Blackberries were not so dark in color before the death of Christ. They became that way because of how they were used on Him. You see, the Crown of Thorns that was shoved on to His head were blackberry brambles and the dozens of pricks to His head and face were the result of the tiny sharp thorns of the plant.     
                                                        William C.D. Glaser

When this happened the berries started weeping a deep royal purple/red in honor of the His blood that they had shed. That is how they came to be the color they are. 

This week enjoy Crown of Blackberries. 

Asenath

One April morning in 1732 a little girl was born and her parents named her Asenath. I have never seen this name and found it very unique. I was gifted with an unusual name as well so I took an interest in this distant cousin of mine. Where did the name come from? 

Asenath makes an appearance in the Bible in the book of Genesis. She is Egyptian, the daughter of a pagan priest and  is gifted to Joseph to become his wife by the Pharaoh.  

Whispers surround her story.... tales of Joseph rejecting her because she was Pagan.  Her locking herself in a tower and begging Joseph's GOD to accept her. An Angel coming to her bearing bees which are placed on her lips and she she is stung to remove the false prayers that have spoiled her mouth. Joseph accepts her and they marry ruling Egypt for 48 years. 

Her story is very small but she plays a very important role in the story of Israel. 

This week meet Asenath.

Bonnets of Blue

Springtime in Texas brings Bluebonnets. Millions of them all across the state. On I 35, FM 3009, RM 2627 and in fields, pastures, and gardens everywhere. It is the state flower and any one of the 5 species found in Texas count as the state flower.

People will stop on the side of the road grab their kids,

wives, pets 


and cameras and take family photos, wedding photos, 

engagement photos, baby photos all kinds of photos in clumps and clusters of these beautiful blue flowers.

They were called Bluebonnets because the shape of the blossom 
  resembles the huge bonnets

worn by pioneer women to keep the sun out of their faces.

So this week I am going to show you Bonnets of Blue.
Enjoy!

Tartan Dancing

This past weekend the San Antonio Highland Games were underway. 

Tartan was everywhere. 
People
Booths
Dogs
Athletes
Musicians

                              HIGHLAND DANCERS, 1844. Wood engraving, English, 1844

And, dancers in tartan. We are all familiar with the Scottish Sword Dance and in California I have seen it performed with precision and strength by beautiful kilted men. It is a war dance and is ceremonial demonstrating strength, stamina and agility. All excellent qualities in a warrior. 

Legend tells that in 1573 a group of Scottish mercenaries were brought to the Court of King John III. They performed  the Scottish Sword Dance and upon a signal were to execute the King. The signal never came, the King lived never knowing that a few dance props were actually the weapons that were going to destroy him. 

This week enjoy Tartan Dancing.