Barbed berries?

I saw these crazy things at the market yesterday next to the regular berries

And wondered why on earth these smooth green things could be characterized by a smiley face with prickles.

The strawberries here are the best, most strawberry-y deliciously ripe tasting strawberries I've ever had. Even though they look ugly. It seems we in America do ourselves no favors breeding pretty produce. So, I was willing to go out on a branch (err, limb) to taste this mystery fruit.

Turns out that "Stachel" means barb, prickle or quill. I'm hoping that is representative of the plant these come off of, not the way they taste!  What kind of strange beeren are these?

Anyway, yesterday we went to another Fourth of July party!

 

There was a pie baking contest with incredibly happy judges!

Several little kids ran around screaming with water guns, soaking grown-ups at will.

 Then there was a water balloon toss. Somehow the photographer captured the exact second I was drenched by an incoming balloon.

Shaking off the shower.

Oh well. It's funny that I'm worse at catch than the children on either side. So we went home happy.

Spotted on the way home:
For the curious and impatient pedestrian, a cross walk with a "sand" timer.