A few more fruit that did not fit in Go, Go, Grapes: gooseberries and black raspberries. It included red raspberries. But here are black raspberries. They grow wild here but are also raised commercially. They are NOT blackberries. They are the same shape as red raspberries and sometimes have a slightly bitter aftertaste. Wild animals around here seem to prefer them over red raspberries. So does my husband Jeff…hmm….

Gooseberries. An uncommon and rather tart fruit Beautiful!Black raspberries!

Alas, so sorry, cranberries! We could not fit you into Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant which is coming out May 22. Go ahead and be sour. We love your sourness. Tart is art, we say! Here are a few consolation photos of how you looked when we photographed you in hopes of including you in the book.

These are from the Hovenkamp’s booth at South Bend Farmer’s Market. They are Michigan cranberries. (Sorry, New Jersey, we went closer to home for ours.) We live 7 miles from Michigan. Cranberries are also grown extensively in Wisconsin.

Look for a cranberry muffin recipe soon. How much do we love cranberries? Well, we served cranberry (and blueberry) muffins at our wedding reception oh so many years ago.

Cranberry farming in Michigan

www.centennialcranberry.com A historic farm in Michigan

I picked up a copy of a magazine called Chop Chop “The fun cooking magazine for families” at a local New Balance shoe store. I have to say the magazine looks great. High quality content. It would be a great place to go after reading Rah, Rah, Radishes: a Vegetable Chant and the upcoming Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant. So kids’ veggie and fruit enthusiasm can move into the kitchen. Here’s Chop Chop magazine’s site:  http://www.chopchopmag.org/

Saw this post on INK and it might be useful to those of you needing gardening books. Apparently, there’s an award list created by the American Horticultural Society.

Erika Thulin Dawes, Ed.D of Lesley University wrote about some terrific extension ideas for Rah, Rah, Radishes: A Vegetable Chant over at  The Classroom Bookshelf . Lots of helpful links, too. HUGELY useful information.

Jeff and I just returned from a 4,600 mile roadtrip to research at desert sites (White Sands, Painted Desert, Meteor Crater). I gave two programs at the spectacular Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden. I also spoke at a conference for early childhood teachers coordinated by Jennifer Haggart of the Early Childhood Consortium of the Omaha Area. 

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Kirkus Reviews sure knows how to ask quality questions to get a person talking and reflecting. Read the Rah Rah Radishes interview here.  There’s also a fun little California connection for the book made by a writer out in Salinas. His article is “‘Vegetable Chant’ showcases Central Coast’s chief product.”  Meanwhile, after a fun South Bend Farmer’s Market signing last Sat, I’m completing final shots for Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant, 2012.

I’ve been busy admiring greens, the structures of leeks, and other veggies at South Bend Farmer’s Market. Beets are one of the most productive crops because both the greens and roots can be used.

When I got into a pickle with needing some fruit photos for the upcoming fruit chant book (Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant, 2012) , a gardening friend directed me to Shelton’s Farmer’s Market near Niles, MI, and they welcomed me heartily.  I hadn’t visited in years. What surprised me is how much produce they had. They had all the traditional Midwestern fresh veggies and fruits, but also lots of specialty items for the Hispanic community and other communities, as well. Lots of Mexican fruits and vegetable specialties.  Plus many other intriguing gourmet items. I’ve never seen black radish! I was able to buy a whole case of cactus fruit here for one of the shots in the new fruit book. Thanks, Shelton’s!