special time of year

our family loves when it is blackberry season. each year we venture out to our favorite picking spot in the whole city. it might seem like a strange location to anyone else, but to our family it is special. we head to the cemetery in royal oak. the kids grandma valerie is there. she died before they were born. she died before i could meet her. the first couple years i know how sad it was for my husband to bring the kids to the grave, i know what he was thinking as the kids ran around and around in the grass, squishing blackberries into their mouths and laughing and playing. i always found it amazing how happy the kids were there visiting and eating blackberries and asking questions. they also got so much joy picking out  the most beautiful flowers to bring with them. our outings were always special, aside from a few tears, it really has been a good place for our family. blackberries are ripe at valeries birthday, the anniversary of her death and also when our flower farm across the street has the most beautiful lilies in bloom. they were her favorite flowers. it makes those berries extra special in our house. today we baked a blackberry cake, the recipe i adapted slightly from smitten kitchen. served with a bit of  lemon yogurt on top.