The Bounty

Green beans, corn, okra, zucchini,

cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers,

yellow squash, jalapeno and green peppers,

collard greens, romaine lettuce and yellow corn.
What do all of these vegetables have in common?

They grow in my brother's urban garden.
Yes, right in his backyard.

My mom and I dropped in for a visit which turned into a harvest fest.
We walked, talked, picked and ate our way through row after row of organic wonder.

Four hours, and several baskets later,
I made my way home with this bounty.

What to do? What to do?

My first thought was to make an arrangement.

Cute, but not too functional.
I had to get serious and look for recipes.
So far I have baked zucchini bread and prepared tomato/cucumber/vinegar salads.

Now I'm looking for yellow squash recipes.
If you have one you love, and would like to send, I'll try it.

Life Lesson From My Yard

It's amazing what two days of heavy rain can do to restore life.

Amazing how brown, brittle grass turns lush and green.

Amazing how leaning flower stems raise themselves tall.
Amazing how wilted leaves develop firmness.
Amazing how droopy fern fronds stand erect.

Amazing how weak buds grow into strong blooms.
All because of rain.
Even when it comes at the 11th hour.


Is there a lesson here?
Where does your rain come from?
Be Restored!

It's My Turn

I always enjoy an afternoon with my daughter.

When she was little, it was my job to introduce her to life's little pleasures.

Now that she is an adult, she introduces me to hers:
a plate of seasalt chocoloate chip cookies...

the beauty of a local vegetable garden.

Moments more precious than gold!