Sunday, August 31, 2008

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/

Monday, August 18, 2008

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.


Thursday, August 7, 2008

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!



Thursday, July 3, 2008

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!

Monday, June 30, 2008

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!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

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