I've moved...

I've picked up this little blog and moved to Wordpress. I like it better there- come and see me:

http://clutterlibrarian.wordpress.com/

Garden as Sacred Space

For me- and many- the garden is a sacred place- a place for meditation and ritual. A church, if you like. I know no better way to connect to the Divine that to work in my garden- or just walk in the garden- opening my senses and connecting with all that it around me.

When I am planning a garden space- and I am planning a new area with terrace beds and a sitting area by the barn- I like to think about a few important things:
*How will the space be used? Alone or with people? In the daytime or the evening?
*How much sun does the space get a day?
*What are the energies of the area? Spend time there and listen with both your ears and your heart.
*What do you want from the plants? Fragrance? Flowers? Shade?

It's raining and cool here today, so after a cup of coffee, I'm going out to cut down a few trees. Not something I usually do, but I have decided that a few trees need to go so that the veggie garden gets some much needed sun.

Full summer fun

And, so summer spills over us like water rushing over a waterfall. No slowing it down, so we'll just enjoy the ride! The last several weeks have been full and fun. It's wonderful ( and a bit stressful) to have guests visit- but the panic does produce some of the best cleaning of the year.

I don't have any pictures, but the barn has a new foundation!!!! Now, new-to-us windows are being installed and hubby found some metal lockers to use as storage. A mountain of broken concrete foundation has been used to make terraced garden beds and a sitting area. It's all still in the rough stage, but I can see how it is coming together- very exciting. I am enjoying thinking about this new garden space- dreaming about what we will plant there. Hubby wants some climbing things- roses and wisteria - who knew he was such a romantic?!

Beach trips: it's been a cool summer, but the girls and I get in as many as we can. To step into the Church of the Crashing Waves and breath in the sea air fills me with such energy!

Drawing a picture of Mama:

Sea Star snuggle at low tide:

The Church of the Crashing Waves at very low tide:

We continue to enjoy the bounty brought to us by our CSA Growing Wild Farm. We have been enjoying delicious green beans, young onions, fantastic beats and more. I love beats with blue cheese! I also made a yummy potato and green bean salad a la Julia. I've got to say that I am craving a tomato- a real tomato! Ahhh, tomato and cucumber sandwich......Some day....

The girls and I were greatly amused by this carrot:

Bounty and chaos in the kitchen:

I continue my endeavor to become the Queen of Tarts. It's yummy work. Here are two recent tarts:



Recently a friend recommended Julia Child's book My Life in France. I really enjoyed the book- what a wonderful life she and her husband had! I admired the dedication and work that Julia put into Mastering the Art of French Cooking that I had to buy it. I was pretty intimidated at first, but after making a couple recipes (pastry custard in particular) I have a feeling that this book will become a good friend like it has for some many other people. Cheers, Julia!

And, finally, a poppy for you! Joyous Lammas! Gather ye rosebuds will ye may!

Community Supported Agriculture

Our CSA- or Community Supported Agriculture- is Growing Wild Farm and we love them! Every week they bring us a bounty of beautiful, yummy veggies. Just look at this weeks delivery:





Salad mix, Snow Peas, Red Head Lettuce, Kohlrabi, Cabbage, Green onions, Chioggia Beets, Cherries!

I am very excited to cook those lovely beets and eat them up with some oil and vinegar and some blue cheese! With the cabbage and kohlrabi I plan to make a slaw for our 4th of July celebration. If the cherries do not get gobbled up, they will be added to the fresh fruit tarts I plan to make for my father-in-laws birthday.

I love the surprise and the challenge of the weekly veggies. I also especially love that they deliver the veggies in biodegradable/ compostable bags (something like these )! Why can't everyone use these? Thank you Sheila and Andre for all that you do!

Bouquet fit for a Queen

June brings us such treasures of the garden. I made this bouquet of Dianthus, roses and Honey Suckle. When I brought it in and sat it on the table, I thought, 'Wow! That is so lovely!' Somehow, I managed to surprise myself with flowers.
I'm not a rose person. I mean, I like roses but I always felt that I would not grow them. As it is presently, I have three roses in our yard. The first is a wild rose that has lovely little pink flowers. It smells lovely and showers little rose petals in the paths. The second is a rose bush- also with single pink (brighter pink) flowers. It was given to me by a dear friend. I planted it too close to the fence and the goats almost ate it to death. I moved it and it is happier. The third is a climbing rose that my husband requested- this the the lovely rose in the above pictures. We are training it to climb up the side of our house right beside our bedroom window. So far, so good. I don't worry too much about aphids and black spot. I'm not going to spray them, so they might as well just grow on their own!

June Garden- Come for a walk!

Surprising pleasure

When the sun comes out here- not too often lately- I enjoying hanging the laundry out to dry. Recently I found this darling clothespin holder at a local sewing shop. I love it! It's especially fun when hanging out my favorite vintage tablecloth! When I was growing up, my Mom had one very similar. I bought two so that I could send one to my friend who also loves to hang clothes out. My 4 year old really wants to wear it! :D