Getting the Hang Of It!

I have not been able to write as regularly here as I would like.  We have been amazingly busy implementing new strategies at work, and then took a quick weekend trip for a family gathering over the Fourth holiday.

We have been very fortunate this year.  Our garden is flourishing above and beyond years' past and today we put out our third farm bag of the season!  Last year our first bag came out the middle of July!  I love to be able to look back year to year at photos.  The above photo is our garden as of July 15th last year.  The top photo was our garden this afternoon.

Most of the individual pictures and details of the farm bags along with recipe ideas are being shared over on our Aisling SmallHolding facebook page, but to summarize:  our farm bags in the early part of this season have consisted of lots of salad greens, green onions, kohlrabi, bok choi, green garlic, garlic scapes, radishes, beets, dill, thyme, lavender, sugar snap peas, and a few baby carrots.  Our tomato plants have already set tons of tomatoes, some are just beginning to blush with color.  We harvested our first few eggplant this week, the chickpeas look to be getting close, and it seems we will have a bumper crop of raspberries.  It is so rewarding to walk through this years plot and just breathe.  We seem to be getting the hang of this thing!

A Nudge

As suddenly as our 7 inches of snow fell on Monday the temperatures rose to 40 degrees yesterday with hopes of the same for today.  We haven't seen temperatures like these since late fall. Then, it felt crisp and cool and had the promise of holidays, hot apple cider, and enjoying the indoors.  In contrast, after what is proving to be one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record and certainly since we moved here 13 years ago, we are more than ready to spend more time outside.  It was a joy simply walking up our long winding drive with the trash cans in tow.  Funny the simple pleasures; the black top shining through for the first time in months, walking outside with only a light sweater.  I found myself breathing deeper, relaxing and basking in the sun.   Though it seems the thaw will only be about two days before we are plunged back into sloppy winter storm conditions followed again by cold temperatures, it reminds me of how truly lucky we are to be able to experience the seasons with all of their ups and downs.  They only make us that more appreciative.  This thaw comes at a perfect time giving me that boost, a little reminder of the blooms ahead, and nudges me gently forward through the final months of winter.

White Smoke

One minute we have rain, the next light snow.  Each time I feel a flow of spring like writing, we get a dusting, and this morning does not seem to be an exception to that.  Yesterday afternoon there was that ethereal feel in the air.  As I was running errands it was predominantly blue sky overhead while snowing intermittent sparkling flakes.  It seemed to show the struggle of seasons, and left me wondering which one would win out the day.

The garden has been on our minds as we inventory seeds, make lists, and peek in our cold frames to find the hardiest of hardy still plugging along.  A few months ago I joined the planning committee for the Eco-Justice Center (check it out!)  It is a wonderful organization and we have attended events there for years.  As EJC continues to spread its wings, based on their mission of Community, Contemplation, Creativity, and Cultivation, it seemed to be a natural extension of our homestead goals to become a part of this group.  Next week there will be an equinox celebration complete with a blessing of the seeds.  Somehow this feels perfect as we celebrate both the birth of the new season and our fifteenth wedding anniversary, as the snow dissipates into the white smoke announcing spring.

Oasis

As February meanders into March, my eyes ache a little for some green.  I so love each season for what it has to offer us.  Today, I have the best of both worlds.  I am watching a few light flurries settle onto a new blanket of snow, while enjoying Sidney's new cactus plant, its own little oasis.