Paper and Cloth

It's a Pity

Our attempt to grow avocado plants from pits has failed. Hmm… I’m so confused. I remember this being a no-brainer project — water, pits, toothpicks and grow. I am truly disappointed. Any ideas where I could have gone wrong?

From Seed to Seedling

Our seeds have sprouted. The seedlings were lovingly and carefully attended to daily —watered at least once a day, thinned, transplanted, hardened off, planted in our garden and watered again. The garden is quickly taking shape and looking up.

Starting Seeds

Spring is around the corner and we have grand plans for our garden, or shall we call it a mini farm? Yes, a mini farm might be more appropriate at the rate Frank is starting seeds. I would imagine hundreds of seeds have been planted thus far. Although currently indoor, the garden is well under way and I suspect that we will have our hands full for our second season.

Garden Goods and Preparations

Our garden keeps on giving — I am in utter amazement. We are still reaping large heads of broccoli, thick scallions, numerous peppers, spinach, a variety of tomatoes, although they are now rare, and the largest swiss chard leaves I have ever seen. There are still green bean stragglers and I even ate a raspberry this afternoon.

Besides eating from our garden we are also preparing for next spring. The latest addition is this raised cedar bed made by another resident gardener. It measures 6 feet by 11 feet. Not bad for a first go. I knew he could do it!

Fall Metamorphosis

Our first gardening season continues to be amazing — much more bountiful and rewarding than we imagined. We have crops that continue to provide (broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, swiss chard, spinach and scallions), a place to dig or mow for hours on end, and the latest find — two black swallowtail caterpillars that have since turned into chrysalises, seemingly prepared for the cooler temperatures that lie ahead.

Naked Tomatoes

Tomato, Tomatoe? Wasn’t it acceptable at some point in time to spell tomato with an e? Regardless, these are our tomatoes. We have bountiful tomato plants that keep on giving despite the erratic watering they receive and our hiatus from gardening while on vacation. The heirloom variety are thriving in their gnarly patch — stakes now offer little support under their heavy weight. They are splitting at the seams and it’s a race to pick and eat these ripe tomatoes before the fruit flies do.

We’ve picked, eaten, blanched, peeled and seeded, made sandwiches, salads and soups as well as froze these big guys for later use. I feel like we’ve done it all except make tomato sauce… maybe that's the task for the next tomato harvest. For now though, I'm happy eating creamy tomato soup and tomato, basil, spinach and mozzarella sandwiches.

On the right are the blanched and skinless tomatoes being prepped for soup. Aka… naked tomatoes.

Garden Notes

We’re here in mid summer and my gusto for garden care has waned. I attribute the lack of attention to the heat. By the time we are fed, dressed and ready to go in the morning, the summer heat has set in. By late afternoon, we are ready to play in the bay. After dinner, we (a.k.a. me) are beat and ready for bed. In between it's too hot!

We're happy our garden continues to bloom despite its lack of attention! We have picked the last of our beets and broccoli. Squash and zucchini remain prolific. Peppers and tomatoes are just ripening. And, my favorite garden specimens thus far are our zinnias and dahlias.

I do love our garden... must visit soon!

Good Friday

Good it was, Indeed. It was…

…a breezy morning spent in the garden picking peas, spinach, swiss chard, green beans and lettuce.

…time spent in the kitchen preparing lunch with our very own garden fresh veggies.

…eating our lunch in a leisurely manner.

…building a gnome house out of twigs, catmint, crepe myrtle branches, grass and rocks.

…quietly sitting waiting for gnomes to arrive interspersed with discussion of where gnomes live. In case you were wondering, they live underground so they are safe from moose, camels and wolves.

…my little one waking up from a 2 and ½ hour nap and greeting us with huge, toothless smiles — so happy to see us.

…nursing this delightful baby beneath the shade of the crepe myrtle while trying glimpse the elusive gnomes.

…a walk to town and stopping at our local knitting store to say thank you and goodbye — it closed on Saturday (not so good) — and to also show off the super duper soaker shorts that were knit with yarn bought from this store. What a nice goodbye and sharing of thoughts. We will miss you.

…a cherry, apricot and peach (first of the season) snack on the back deck — breezy, breezy, beautiful day.

…a visit from my sister and watching her play on the green, green grass with my eldest, baby on hip. Finally, we talked about her and all the exciting changes that are taking place in her life.

…eating dinner outside and watching my three year old actually eat a cheese dog (gross, I know).

…snuggling my three year old to bed and then nursing my 8 month old off to tender sleep.

It was a good Friday. Indeed.

Spring Training

I think I was meant to garden. I love, love, LOVE it. I feel at home back in our garden checking the vegetable growth, weeding, watering and thinking about what more we want to add. The latest addition you ask? Handmade, bamboo trellising. I love their wonky personalities and the height they add to the garden. The peas and cucumbers now have vertical trellises to climb while the zucchini, squash and green beans will navigate teepee trellises. Grow tall!

June

I love this time of year. It’s the beginning of berry season, which means strawberries, strawberries and more strawberries. Usually we take a short walk to buy our berries, but this year our strawberries are super local — they come from our very own garden! These sun-warmed strawberries go right into our bellies without ever leaving the garden gate.

Also in June… Father’s Day. This Father’s Day was hectic, but lovely. This three layer strawberry shortcake was a nice way to end the day.