The Joys of Having a Garden

Delicious strawberries!

This morning I was padding around The Fortune Cookie trying to decide what I wanted for breakfast. Honestly, it was slim pickins in my cupboards as I have not gone grocery shopping in awhile.  Most of my produce on hand was vegetables of one sort or another, and zucchini or squash for breakfast was not really doing it for me. What I did have on hand was some oatmeal, which I love.  While staring at the oatmeal I was thinking it would be good with berries or fruit.  I had just finished all of my fresh fruit when I remembered the strawberries in the garden were ripening at an awesome pace.

I happily skipped out to the garden and harvested a handful of strawberries.  I rinsed the strawberries and set them on my cutting board. I prepared the oatmeal and put it in the pot with the right amount of water.  Meanwhile, I diced the strawberries and then threw the tops of them into my composting toilet. After the oatmeal was done cooking, I tossed the strawberries into it with some organic sugar and had a delicious breakfast.

The following day, I had decided to make a sandwich and was lamenting the fact that I did not have any lettuce.  I remembered that the lettuce was at the harvesting stage in the garden.  So again, I ran outside and picked some lettuce and added it to my fabulous sandwich.

I really have to give Eowyn the credit for the garden, as she is out there every day tending it. I’ve spotted her out there a few times looking happy as a lark amidst the growing vegetables in a cute sun hat.  She manages to make it all look so easy. She recently has been claiming, “I’ll make you a gardener yet!” I have to admit that there is a level of happiness and accomplishment that comes with harvesting your own food.  Even if it is a handful of strawberries or a small bit of lettuce. I even feel a bit proud of the few things I helped plant (come on beets!).   It’s delicious, fresh and easier than just buying something at the store. Not to mention I did not have to pay a bundle for it.

I cancelled my CSA box last week because the garden is kicking into gear so fast. We will be plucking food from the garden in greater quantities in the upcoming weeks and months. Eowyn has been canning at record numbers (so many scrumptious things!), stay tuned to her blog to find out what she is making, and get some fabulous recipes.

The other thing I am really excited about is really sort of goofy.  However, I will own up to it. I have an adorable planter out of the same bricks as the new fire pit was made out of that Kass set up in front of my house.  He even filled it with dirt.  It’s connected to one of my pier blocks that my house is balanced on.  I planted my first seeds at the end of spring. I chose a wildflower mix.  The seeds were a couple years old, so I really was not expecting a whole lot out of them.  However, this month they started growing like crazy. The first flower of the set bloomed a day ago, it was a poppy.  I am really excited to see what else pops up.  I will update you with some pictures once the rest start filling in.

~Kera