Blackberry Dumplings

Another request by my neice, Kathy Clark. Also, one of my son Mark's favorites. I have no written recipe for these. I just learned to make these from watching my mother make them.

4 to 5 cups of blackberries
1 cup sugar
Put in large pan and add 1/4 cup water. Turn on burner on low and let come to a full boil. Usually the berries and sugar will make enough juice, but if it doesn't, you may need to add a cup of water. Let boil for a few minutes.
To make dumplings:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup Crisco
1/4 cup water
Pinch of salt.
Cut shortening into flour with a fork or pastry blender. Add water and mix well. With a little flour on a doughboard or your kitchen counter top, roll pie crust into a circle or rectangle about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into strips about 1 inch by 2 inches. Drop pieces one at a time into boiling berries; give a stir, cover with a lid, and let cook about 20 minutes. Check periodically to see that they do not stick to bottom of pan. If it seems to be getting a little dry, you may need to add a little hot water. It all depends on the juiciness of the berries. You can not believe how good these are with a little home made vanilla ice cream on them while they are hot. They are also very good with half and half on them.