We do the berry mash

The spring brought a fresh batch of budding berries all over the grove that took up a third of their territory. None of the berries were quite ripe enough or large enough just yet to try to make wine out of–for that she usually waited till the larger, nearly over ripe fruit of the late summer–but these berries still needed to be picked to keep the temptation away from the bears that were emerging from their hibernations. That meant that while she wouldn't be making them into wines that didn't mean she couldn't make them into juices! There were plenty of younger wolves in the pack that shouldn't be getting into the harder drinks just yet, but she imagined they would enjoy having some fresh fruit juice to enjoy.

Today she had one of her youngest daughters at her side, little Ionela seemingly taking an interest in the craft of making things just like she had at her age. Her daughter had been a great help pulling the berries off of the lower branches of the bushes while she plucked the ones from the top and now they made their way back to the kitchen with a basket full of berries. "Before we can smoosh these down into juice we'll have to clean them off first," she told Nellie as she placed the basket down on the floor in front of the fireplace since that was the most open space within the kitchen that would be down on Nellie's level. "Why don't you go ahead and start pulling out any little sticks or leaves that might have snuck in with our berries and I'll go get us a bowl of water and a towel ready," she suggested before turning to go get their supplies.

"Briar Carpathius"