A Little Garden

"A little garden in which to walk, and immensity in which to dream. At one's feet that which can be cultivated and plucked; overhead that which one can study and meditate upon: some herbs on earth, and all the stars in the sky."

Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

Kitchen Gardens

Finding a restaurant in a tiny little town with a kitchen garden right next door is unusual in these parts. So, when we drove thought a tiny little town recently, and I saw a kitchen garden next to a trendy restaurant on Main Street, I requested we stop so I could take some pictures. Simple and elegant, it featured pots of herbs and a trellis or two for beans to grow on. Rows and clusters of cabbages and garden greens, carrots and radishes, and vines of squash and cucumbers were set in a grassy space. A nearby table, convenient for harvest and cleaning, sat nearby. Right next door was a covered patio with seating for dining alfresco. Colorful table clothes, comfortable chairs, and a bubbling waterfall added to the ambiance --- as did the kitchen garden across the fence. A side door leads to more formal dining options. But, who would want to eat inside when such beauty and serenity greet the guest in this pretty place?

An old adage says that "The kitchen garden is the best of all gardens". The kitchen garden is a home garden where vegetables, herbs, berries, and fruits are grown and used for food. Generally, it is small enough to be cultivated with hand tools and a little elbow grease! Ideally, it is easy accessible from the kitchen or back door of the house for convenience and ease. A well-planned kitchen garden may provide fresh herbs for seasoning dishes for every month of the year. Sage, winter savory, hearty rosemary and parsley can be harvested even in the winter in some locales. Although kitchen gardens for restaurants or gourmet cooks are fashionable, a kitchen garden can be handy for the three-meal-a-day household cook. Using home-grown produce and herbs can add fun, flavor, and nutrition to family meals. Have you planted your kitchen garden? It's not too late!

A Very High Perch

Brandon's break from studies this summer involves filming a movie. He's busy, but enjoying his work and the travel it involves. An email entitled "Hello from Salem" arrived late at night, sending us a message not only from him and of where he was, but of what he was doing. It made my tummy do a bit of a twist as I realized that at that moment he was busy filming from a very high perch! A picture says a thousand words, and I enjoyed this one immensely! Wishing the eldest a happy, creative, and productive summer!

My Wild Garden

Gardens at home should be weeded, tended, and manicured to some extent. At least mine requires that. So, a garden in the mountains is refreshingly simple and fun to enjoy. Native ferns, a shrub oak, lupines, and clovers grow with grasses along the cabin's edge. A bank of wild strawberry plants grow on the east side, thick and wild. Their tiny berries are no larger than my littlest fingernail. A wild rose shrub stands nearby, gracing us with soft, pink roses and then nutrient rich rose hips. Varieties of lavender from the valley below are planted the native plants, seemingly thriving through cold winters and hot summers and surviving elk and deer which nibble most every other plant from home, but don't like the astringent fragrance of lavender. Antlers found on the woodland floor, lava rock, basalt, dead wood, and other found objects are displayed with plants in a reckless and casual manner. Feathers from crows, wild turkeys, and grouse, when found, are stuck into a flower pot, waving to all who enter the front door. Little care and lots of pleasure. God is good.

Too Cute!

Some things are just too cute for words! Featuring Paula's darling grandson. . .such sweetness!

The Little Things. . .

Little details make a special occasion, like weddings, even more delightful. I'm finding that the weddings attended in which the guest is treated with grace and thoughtfulness are the most memorable. Yes, a wedding is for the bride and groom, but in a sense they are hosting a special event that brings many from far and wide, and at great expense for some. Showing care for the guest creates an atmosphere of mutual love and respect. In this case, the little details become great tokens of thoughtfulness. It's the little things, like having a photographer take a photo of each guest as they arrive for a wedding album or having cold tea and lemonade for the guests while they are waiting for wedding photos to be taken before the reception starts, that makes guests feel valued and as though they are an important part of a special day. Tokens don't need to be expensive or large. Something homemade or handmade can express great care in a simple way. I'm appreciating raspberry-rhubarb jam and apple-cinnamon toast topper in their beautifully decorated jars right now, and will open them and enjoy them later in a completely different way. Yum! Each bite will take me back to Andrew's and Annalisa's special day. They absolutely made each guest feel special and valued at their wedding celebration.

Berry of a Cake

Isn't this a beautiful cake? I wanted to share a picture with you, as I think this is a great idea for decorating all kinds of cakes! Raspberries, blueberries, and Marion berries along with a cluster of small, smooth berries on a stem (I don't know what kind they were), arranged strategically on this cake. Placed at corners and in an artful arrangement on the top, this beautiful wedding cake inspires! The same idea can be used to decorate birthday cakes, cupcakes, or cheesecake. Berry sweet!