When I bought my little house, it had a HUGE garden with 3 large raised beds, 9 fruit trees and a 6 foot electric fence to keep the deer out. I was excited at first, but soon discovered that I would be spending my weekends weeding. And 1/2 of the fruit trees had tent caterpillars and so … gave all of the fencing to my neighbor in return for them removing it.
Most of you know only the side yard where Emmett and I play. I am happy.
But.
I wouldn’t mind growing a bit of my own food. The trick being a balance of time and also a method that allows me to catch sunshine as well as protect all from the deer.
The last years, I have had herbs in containers on the front porch. The deer do not like herbs.
After my past months success with microgreens, I am all gardening confident and so …
I bought this tiered planter on wheels with the idea that I could roll it around and catch the sunshine, but it will live on the front porch and hopefully be deer safe.
Last Sunday, I visited the nursery and bought: kale (top), spinach, basil … which are in the planter. At the moment, I am planning to grow microgreens in the bottom 2 containers.
Oregano, mint and chives are in containers on the other corner.
I speak encouraging words to the fuchsia every day: “Bloom !!!” LOTS and lots of buds that look ready to pop.
When I bought the 2 planters some weeks ago, they were the only 2 that were pink and white vs the dark pink and purple … but Sunday, there was another pink and white …
I bought it and with the benefit of a few more weeks in the greenhouse, it DOES have some blooms – beautiful!!
I also bought two impatiens and a variegated oregano plant for my mini-rock garden that also has succulents…
I have some 5 gallon fabric containers with handles on the way from Amazon. I’m going to try some tomatoes, peppers, maybe even zucchini. I have been reading how to do this in a way that I can move things into the sun through the day. I figure this will be a combination of gardening and a workout … win-win :)
Front porch gardening!! And yes, the new red door, the new red cushions, fresh trim paint … I am very happy with how the front porch looks!
This past week saw our first heat wave … thankfully shortlived, but we did hit 90F (32C) on Thursday. And with long day/short night of nearly Summer Solstice … semi-miserable for me (heat wimp) and Emmett (black, long haired doggo).
But … Emmett LOVES playing in the hose and sprinkler so we subbed that for afternoon long walks and both of us got our exercise and cooled off!
And the fans came out.
Mornings are us … especially when it starts to get hot…
Running through the lupins!
The lupins!
They are blooming all throughout the woods.
But, YIKES … even with last week’s rain, it is a bit scary dry…
On the food front …
Time to harvest the microgreens!
Pea shoots! Incredible … the aroma when cutting is of fresh peas and the shoots taste like fresh peas. I love them!
Pea shoots on the left, broccoli shoots on the right … delicious and crunchy greens for sandwiches and salads this week … home grown :)
Emmett says: “Ok, but now it is time to play outside!”
****EXTRAS!!!
A new favorite youTube channel:
Bob and Brad …. physical therapists. Great info for various issues in short, concise videos. And in something like the above, they demonstrate for beginners … and how to work up to more challenging versions of the exercise. Great resource!!
AND … a new sailing race!
The title is a bit misleading. This particular video … starting at about the 8 minute mark is the finish of a coastal race. The Ocean Race Europe is a series of Leg races (3-5 days) with some coastal day races. It is a COVID adaptation of The Ocean Race (formerly Volvo Ocean Race, formerly Whitbread Ocean Race).
Today’s coastal race, following an exciting Leg 1, was a VERY exciting race with near “photo finish” in both classes. Tomorrow is the start of Leg 2: Cascais, Portugal to Alicante, Spain.
That has been my mantra since I started the financial process which will ultimately lead me to … do I have a choice :)
But, having gone through a week or so of round and round and round and round, early May, and then realizing that I did not have to decide everything and needed to explore options …
When I wake up, I tell myself: this morning, I do not need to decide. What I DO need to do is to enjoy this day, take care of myself and of Emmett: feed us, get us outside, teach and learn and do my work and my chores … and let the rest go. At the current time, all information is in the hands of the bank and I await THEIR decision, their request for more. Meanwhile, I choose to LIVE to the fullest in my little house in the woods with Emmett.
The first round … ok, but not as soft as the sweet potato buns that I have been making.
Still, great flavor, they hold together for a burger or other “sloppy” fixin’s and I will give it another shot and see if a 2nd go turns out different … i.e., was it baker’s error?
A great riff on tiramisu! I saw it on Instagram and oh, my…
So. Using pound cake vs lady fingers, a mix of mascarpone-whipped cream, raspberry jam, fresh raspberries … yes, please!
This is my second version. This was on Memorial Day weekend and I was out of mascarpone so made my own which turned out a bit runny … so combined it with some cream cheese and the resulting texture and flavor was right on with the original mascarpone-whipped cream combo! I also used thawed, frozen raspberries vs fresh. I am sure fresh would be prettier, but flavor-wise … it was good.
Ultimately, it is a mix of creamy, raspberry jammy filling between layers of pound cake which after a stint in the refrigerator becomes a wonderful thing.
And then … I have been growing micro greens and sprouts for fresh greens, but stepped up my game …
Eatin’ good here and taking things one day at a time.
