I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth....

Made some pickles from out abundant cucumbers..Yummmmm
I used this recipe. Happy harvesting.

Somewheres in this universe there’s a place that you can call home....

I love gardening.
And, somehow I forget over the winter how much I love it. I think that is a good thing, because I get to re-experience the joys every year. I learn something new each season, grow something different, try new ways. I do not have a large garden at all, but rather have my "flower" beds planted with yummy veggies. The eating part is scrumptious (tonight's dinner included homegrown carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes), not to mention the other obvious benefits of saving money and "eating local."

But I also love how gardening is such common ground amongst folks. It makes for such pleasant conversation. You can ask anyone who has even one tomato plant about it in the summer, and their eyes light up. Gardening conversation spans political affiliations, nationalities, income level, religious views, and age. It is a great common denominator. I can ask anyone about what they are growing and learn something or just bask in their description of something they have grown to love and to know as if in a deep intimate relationship.

I also get a kick out of the sharing part of gardening. In my neighborhood, we hand cucumbers over fences, leave squash and peppers on each other's doors, and water when we go out of town. There is a elderly Laotian couple that baby their garden with umbrellas and constant tending and grow beans that I have never seen before and peppers that make you sweat when you look at them. The lady speaks no English, but we've swapped veggies, and she'll gladly take our grass clippings if she sees us out. The above grapes were dangling in our yard from another neighbor and he invited us to pick as many as we can handle. What comraderie amongst neighbors!

I also get so excited to grow something new. Here is my first watermelon. Isn't it precious? We only have the one, but the vine that we grew from seed, transplanted, loved on, watered, talked to, babied, has sprouted and has several flowers. I have found great recipes that involve the mint (harvested today and drying) and watermelon together. Yum!

And, lastly, I stand in awe that things grow that we can eat and that this binds us a human race. I can't wait to make pickles and salsa, and ask you about your garden, and hand you a tomato. I am grateful that even if you have been a gardener for decades, you can appreciate my oohs and aahs for my first watermelon and tiny carrots.
All pictures and thoughts captured today from the garden.

People carry roses Make promises by the hours...

From the yard: mint, mums, and marigolds taller than the children..

Sunflowers and roses..

And a couple of gladiolas..

I can see the day coming when even your home garden Is gonna be against the law...

Every year I get braver around my tiny garden area and plant a little more. It brings me such joy! Above, my most abundant crop, marigolds!

Broccoli and new to the plot, cucumbers.

Couple of maters...

And, my absolute favorite, snow peas! These are so yummy and crisp.

Carrots!

An onion, that, by the way I had no idea would bloom so beautifully..

A bloomed marigold and corn, heirloom from the mobi Indians..

When the roses fade....

My roses bloomed

I can see the day coming when even your home garden

We planted peppers, tomatoes, marigolds, cucumbers, basil, and cilantro today. I didn't snap any photos because, well, it still looks like dirt, but trust me, we spent all morning outside, then walked down to a friends house to pal around. The longer I live in my neighborhood, the more I love it. Here's what I'm taking to a pot luck at the park tomorrow evening with friends:

Cucumber Alfalfa Wraps:
Mix goat cheese and avocado in the food processor. Spread on tortillas (you could make your own, but I'm not going to tomorrow.) Fill tortillas with the following "salsa" made with: cucumber, red onion, dill, and sprouts. You could add lime. Cool and enjoy. A summer hit at our home. What could I change to make it more yummy? Ideas?

I ran right outside...

Our outside table and the lettuce patch

Let me walk down the highway with my brother in peace

This week, we participated with Bridge Builders at the Nashville Peace and Justice Center in planting seeds. The sprouts will be sold at a Mother's Day Parade. Proceeds from the sale will be used to buy more seeds to send to Haiti. Can you guess the lessons I was able to incorporate with this activity?

See the craters and the canyons where the waterfalls run

This week in a gray cloud of winter blahs, we went to the Opryland Hotel to revel in horticulture. Ollie was also transfixed by architecture. We loved seeing our friends and the energy of all of the life around us WAS rejuvenating.

Look closely above. That is a woodpecker in our tree out front.

Lollipop plant

Camilla

Orchids

Heeeeee-hawwwww

Bird of paradise..

And plenty of time for quiet contemplation by man made waterfalls..

Father, who turneth the rivers and streams.

For dinner this evening, I made these babies into a delicious sauce. They came from my garden. I also used zucchini, peppers, and basil from the CSA, and fresh rosemary from my friend Jennifer's. Ollie and I did a little country study about France today, so we had to make a baguette, too. His favorite, and involves only yeast, flour, water, salt , and olive oil, but does require plenty of kneading, punching, and sprinkling.

Plus, look at desert! Yummy, they remind me of my childhood.

Tuesday we went to a great class on the creek where we found: Darters, Chubs, Mosquito fish, and craw fish. Did you know that Otters live on the Stones River!?? I would pee my pants if I saw an otter in the wild around here, but the teacher swore it was so..

This is one of the first field trips I've organized for strangers, but it went really well, and we can't wait to do it again.

She left here last early spring, is livin' there, I hear

I often think that the "New Year" would be better celebrated in the Spring, when nature itself is renewed. It is unrealistic to really start jogging or eating local in January anyway. As we shrug off the cold, grey weather and start to notice buds, dogwoods, and irises, we also make plans for summer and spring. I have read a couple of great books lately that have inspired and encouraged me to make positive changes in our health and daily routine. We already do pretty well, but I found a few resources that I am excited about:

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (the MUST read for Rutherford County this Spring)
The Omnivore's Dilemma

Avalon Acres (Our co-op)
Hatcher Farms (Our local Dairy)

A great organization:
Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee

As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden

Help in the yard from these bozos is always a treat.

I know that I haven't been posting much, so let me catch you up:
Eli has had a "highly contagious virus" which resulted in mucho vomit and poop. Again.
Evan is sick with something different, but which consists of very flu like symptoms,

and me, well, I found a new recipe for homemade granola bars, have been making lots of homemade bread, and planting: lettuce, radishes, banana peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, parsley, one watermelon, eggplant, and broccoli. I hope they grow! My aunt Cindy started them for me and sent them. I've only ever grown tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and a few forgiving herbs, so I am thrilled to expand my operation.

Next on the horizon, wild yeast?? Can I do that?

Kids are strange when you're a stranger..

Okay, two quick things:

1) It is getting to cold to compost and my little hold container under the sink gets so very full before I feel like traipsing back to the way, way back of my less than an acre back yard. It's called sacrifice people..

2) Eli woke up at 3:48 this weekend screaming and throwing a 2 year old fit because he wanted a donut. Hmm.... Okay.... Nope no donuts in the house, can't help you bud, so please for the love of everyone in this house Go.back.to.sleep... He kicked and carried on for about an hour, but I guess he probably just tired of the moaning. He was inconsolable. I think he MAY have had 3 donuts his entire life, so who knows..

Dad, maters, b-ball, naked gardening, and rockin' out, Ole!