Toiling

 In the garden, staking, weeding, feeding and harvesting our little plot.

Every year I am so amazed by how a little seed can turn into a plant budding and ripe with fruit. It is kind of special. We have been keen on the Matt's wild cherry tomatoes and the nasturtium plants twisting all around our garden.

 In the kitchen, using up all of the zucchini and gems that the kids pick during play time. 

In the sewing room, drafting, snipping and creating my "perfect" tank top. Sometimes the most simple things take the longest to master. After some trial runs with other tank top patterns I realized that what works for others probably isn't going to pan out for me. Being rather short with a descent set of shoulders, it didn't take long to conclude that I need to veer away from wide straps, snug fit, and racer back styles. I made mine with a nice scoop, shape in the back to keep it in place, and medium width straps that are set apart wide. I like it, and am amazed at the compliments received from something so basic. I guess the lesson is something that fits well doesn't go unnoticed.

Signs of Spring

A recently turned plot all ready to grow some veggies.
A stack of bright and airy pre-washed fabric waiting for kcwc.
A floaty lace top made from remnant pieces from the thrift store.

Calm Before the Storm

Usually you can find me most relaxed when I water my little garden in the morning. It wasn't a big production this year- it started with Cherokee and cherry tomatoes sharing space with venturing cucumber vines, and after I dumped the loose seeds from the bottom of my sowing kit I ended up with some surprise pepper plants, marigolds and a young zucchini.Right now I am listening to the wind gust and pounding rain on the windows, and can't believe the worst of this storm is still hours away. It's a little sad to think that when I go out to water my little garden it will probably be torn up and unrecognizable.
But I am also very thankful to be waiting it out with the family couped up in our little abode, and I hope that everyone is safe and doing much of the same.

As of October 16, 2010

We have taken a family trip to the orchards.
I have cracked open an old Cutie magazine for outer ware inspiration.

The Patch

We have been patiently watching as the green gourds in the backyard transformed into genuine pumpkins. The leaves have all died off from the plant, but we were left with two big orange beauties- perfect for jack-o-lanterning. 

Late Summer Gardening

The pumpkin plant looks like it exploded across my garden. It has twisted and coiled around the perimeter, and we are hoping for a nice harvest. Most of the squash were taken out by borers (my new nemesis) and the cucumbers and lettuces have come and gone, leaving me with some awkward empty spaces. But, the August gems are ready to pick, and in their finest form.
Organic cherries, brandy wines, and orange pears make a temporary centerpiece.

Garden Pickings

It is so affirming to leave the garden with a bucketful of produce...

... and then make it into a fresh and healthy snack...
... while enjoying the scent of mint, dill and sage from a beautiful little bouquet.

Big Producers

While I miss our nice big plot from last year, I have been trying to utilize the dirt in our flower beds. I tried to stick to my plan to really get the most out of every inch of soil, but there may have been a few dropped seeds that sprouted into hearty plants that I didn't have the heart to move.

We acquired a hand me down bakers rack that felt too unsteady for our mud room, so I decided it might be a little bit more stable with its legs a foot deep in soil. It has been perfect for seedlings, and has been great for my beans and cucumbers to climb up.

Earlier in the season I started to clear and sow on the back edge of our lot on an awkward little cinder block structure that was covered in weeds. I planted some squash and tomatoes just to use up seeds from last season.
It has been a gradual project of weeding and tilling and adding seeds, and I feel like it spreads a little more everyday. 
It has also proven to be half garden and half excavation site as I dig up new rocks and random objects, all of which have become part of the border, like this little weight plate.

Hey Zucchini Plants

You look pretty at sunrise and everything... 

...but grow some vegetables, already.

Ready to Radish

We have been patiently waiting to pick radishes, and after examining them for the past week, the kids were thrilled when I let them pull them from the dirt. I have two 4" deep planter boxes with radishes that I planted two weeks apart to make sure we have them continuously growing. 

We brought them in and cleaned them off, cutting off the tops and bottoms. I like to slice them thin on the mandolin and then marinate them in either rice wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar with a splash of soy sauce. It mellows their natural peppery spice, and they become crunchy little flavorful treats. I would have taken after pictures, but as soon as I set down the bowl, the kids devoured them. Also worth trying: Bread & Butter Radishes.

Why I love the backyard

Lettuces grown, and then trimmed right before dinner.

Salad supper composed of fresh berries, greens & a shave of cheese, enjoyed outside on a warm evening. 
Followed by a round of 'bucket monster'.

Eating Local

Our early harvest of berries has been such a wonderful treat- the kids love picking and eating delicious ripe fruits each morning.
Since many of our plants are still seedlings, we have been taking trips to local farms for produce & inspiration with the help of local harvest...
...and my has it been a beautiful tour of New Jersey.

Do you see what I see?

...other than the wind dispersed seeds and crumpled leaves.

The garden calls...

...and it is impossible to ignore. Especially when it looks this perfect outside.

Adventures in Urban Gardening Part Two

And so it begins...
Since the days are getting longer and warmer we have been very, very excited about gardening. Our plot from last year has been dismantled, so this year we are focusing on the flower beds.
There is a good amount of space to work with, so hopefully it will be as successful as last year.

Old vs. New

Old

New
Last growing season I used a former chalk container and a beach bucket to organize our selection of seeds. After a while misplacing packets and accidental knock overs got a little old, and I decided to make them a better home before they found their way to the garden.

noteworthy events for october the fourth

here is a picture of the garden from this afternoon:

danny decided to commence the break down since it has been seasonably cold lately. we had one last harvest, and took away a nice amount of swiss chard, funky carrots, cute beets, more habanero peppers than one family needs, and a whole lot of green tomatoes.
we also had a special guest over for cookie sandwiches. happy birthday lauren and allie!

beating the heat

today was, hands down, one of the hottest days this summer. we spent the majority of it outside or eating popsicles.

we collected veggies from the garden and played in our $3 swimming pool. 
this was, hands down, one of my finest garage sale purchases. 

strawberry hill in august

let's play a little catch up. 

sadly, i turned another year older without an oreo blizzard cake, but, this was overshadowed when i was told to go pick up a new little point-n-shoot camera. thanks again, mom! i will cut to the chase and uphold my end of our agreement...

ori has pretty much mastered hide and seek.

here is phia looking oh-so-chipper about having no a.c. in the living room.

and the garden state is making good on its name. although the lettuces have all bolted and removed, we are picking zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers daily.

in no time i am sure my little camera shy babies will start smiling for the camera again, and everything will be back to normal.

cont. from two previous posts: me whining about having no camera

like i said, when we have no camera i feel like things really get busy. since the camera has been out of commission i have finished three cakes, a cupcake order, and have completed a dozen sewing projects. but since i have no photographic proof, i will probably just post a link to this. and maybe this too.

on the plus side, we have been making quite a few friends in our neighborhood.

with an abundance of strawberry containers and milk cartons around our house, we are finding new ways to package our crops to give away. i am sure when the tomatoes are ready in a couple weeks we will be even more popular.