I remember that it was the first day of Summer, just a few days ago.
We picked herbs and made a pizza.
I sat out back watching the sky turn while it cooked.
We made mint cocktails and watched a movie.
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Fall.
Tomorrow is the first day of Fall.
I remember that it was the first day of Summer, just a few days ago.
We picked herbs and made a pizza.
I sat out back watching the sky turn while it cooked.
We made mint cocktails and watched a movie.
I remember that it was the first day of Summer, just a few days ago.
We picked herbs and made a pizza.
I sat out back watching the sky turn while it cooked.
We made mint cocktails and watched a movie.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
The garden in March
Brian is gone which means I am tasked with caring for his beautiful garden. While gardening was something we first envisioned us both embracing together, side-by-side, reality just didn't work out that way. I don't seem to have quite the patience for it, and actually, I'm OK with that. Many a night he groans as he heads out to water, and many a night he regretfully tells me he forgot to. But mostly he faithfully trudges out and I am happy enough not to join.
Sunday afternoons find him tending to the garden on hands and knees, but I'm much happier in the kitchen with no agenda but recipes in front of me. We have made peace with the fact that mainly it's his garden. I just get to enjoy the fruits of his labor, like turning peppers into jelly or tomatoes into sauce. I think I have the better end of the deal.
The creamy blossoms of spring have shown themselves for the first time on our two-year-old orange tree. Someday I look forward to juicing all of my own citrus and not only the leftovers from the neighbors, although they are very generous to pick them all and give them over to me!
Our garden is not as "landscaped" as those you find in magazines, but of a more spontaneous quality. Our kale, for example, is wild and overflowing, but full and healthy. And oh, so giving!
Even the cilantro, which has mostly gone to seed, is happy to offer its charming, delicate flowers and I am just as happy to admire them. Not at all regretful that its turning indicates a natural bitterness, because it's doing what it does, which is to live and then not, and that never ending cycle of ending but returning seems just right. There was plenty of cilantro to go around this time and they'll be plenty more at the next. In the meantime, why cut them off? The plant is too lovely to take it so seriously. I suppose that's why I'm not the one in charge of it!
Sunday afternoons find him tending to the garden on hands and knees, but I'm much happier in the kitchen with no agenda but recipes in front of me. We have made peace with the fact that mainly it's his garden. I just get to enjoy the fruits of his labor, like turning peppers into jelly or tomatoes into sauce. I think I have the better end of the deal.
The creamy blossoms of spring have shown themselves for the first time on our two-year-old orange tree. Someday I look forward to juicing all of my own citrus and not only the leftovers from the neighbors, although they are very generous to pick them all and give them over to me!
Our garden is not as "landscaped" as those you find in magazines, but of a more spontaneous quality. Our kale, for example, is wild and overflowing, but full and healthy. And oh, so giving!
Even the cilantro, which has mostly gone to seed, is happy to offer its charming, delicate flowers and I am just as happy to admire them. Not at all regretful that its turning indicates a natural bitterness, because it's doing what it does, which is to live and then not, and that never ending cycle of ending but returning seems just right. There was plenty of cilantro to go around this time and they'll be plenty more at the next. In the meantime, why cut them off? The plant is too lovely to take it so seriously. I suppose that's why I'm not the one in charge of it!
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Desert Spring
Finally the morning has broken. The blue bird has sung.
I am not a winter girl, so January and February are difficult for me. I struggle to think positively, feel motivated, or even emotionally hopefully. When spring comes, I feel like myself again. This is why living in a place with long, dark seasons is not good for me.
This is why we call the desert home.
In late February, here in Arizona, spring has sprung. I celebrated by baking Vanilla Orange Scones with the last of the season's winter citrus, and seeding wildflowers and marigolds as Brian planted the next crop of vegetables for summer harvest. Mostly I enjoy my job so much more than his because it only involves a bit of throwing around and surface raking. I cross my fingers all is well and water them every now and then. I love that wildflowers aren't fussy, like me.
 |
| The apple tree is blooming! |
This is why we call the desert home.
In late February, here in Arizona, spring has sprung. I celebrated by baking Vanilla Orange Scones with the last of the season's winter citrus, and seeding wildflowers and marigolds as Brian planted the next crop of vegetables for summer harvest. Mostly I enjoy my job so much more than his because it only involves a bit of throwing around and surface raking. I cross my fingers all is well and water them every now and then. I love that wildflowers aren't fussy, like me.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Operation Pepper Rescue
This year we cut off as many peppers as we could in a late night, last ditch effort at salvaging our innocent crop. Here's what we ended up with.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Wildflowers from the garden
Three steps to an easy, environmentally friendly, sweet bouquet.
1. Mason jar or milk jar
2. Freshly picked wildflowers from the backyard garden in a variety of colors
3. Ribbon tied in a bow
Present with a card and a hug!
1. Mason jar or milk jar
2. Freshly picked wildflowers from the backyard garden in a variety of colors
3. Ribbon tied in a bow
Present with a card and a hug!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Morning Harvest
The zucchini and crooked neck squash continue to produce on almost a daily basis.
More to pick tomorrow...
And still more to come after that.
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