There’s something timeless about picking raspberries in the warmth of the afternoon sun. The bushes are full, their branches bending under the weight of ripe, red berries. As you reach into the tangle of leaves, the soft fruit releases effortlessly, a sure sign they’re ready. The scent of summer lingers in the air-sweet, earthy, and familiar.
There’s no rushing this task. Each berry is gently plucked, some finding their way into a basket, others eaten on the spot, still warm from the sun. The rhythm is soothing, hands working while the mind slows down. Birds call in the distance, bees hum nearby, and the world feels quieter here.
By the time the basket is full, fingers are stained deep red, a mark of time well spent. These berries will soon be turned into jam, baked into pies, or simply enjoyed by the handful. But for now, the simple act of gathering them is enough and is a reminder that the best things in life take time, patience, and a little bit of sunshine.
Tucked along Beaver Valley Road in Horsefly, BC, our cabin has been in our family for over 20 years—a quiet place where the trees sway in the wind, and birdsong fills the mornings. It’s where we grow some of the fruits and vegetables for The Blackberry Basket—berries ripening in the summer sun and vegetables nurtured by the seasons.
Days here are simple, early mornings in the garden, afternoons spent tending the land, and evenings watching the light fade behind the hills. The land shapes what we grow, and in turn, we bring a little piece of this valley back to the stand. When you pick up fresh produce from The Blackberry Basket, you’re taking home something grown with care in a place that has been loved for generations.
March 2025 Bucket List
- Go for a walk and catalog the first signs of spring
- Feed the birds with homemade seed treats
- Brew a cup of herbal tea
- Make beeswax candles
- Paint a spring landscape
- Make a playlist for cozy slow mornings
- Read a book in candlelight
- Write a hand written letter to a friend
- De-clutter a room in your home
- Write a spring themed short story or poem
