Leeks

Fresh from the garden... right into venison stew.

The Magic Bush

There is one spot where Miss Madeleine has been able to stand unsupported on her own two feet: the magic bush. Usually she has a bit of a Dumbo complex because while she really should be able to stand, she just doesn't believe in herself enough to do it spontaneously.

Enter the magic bush on Thurman Street. It's interesting enough to spend time investigating, but not strong enough to support her. She she can pat it. And poke it. And meanwhile she can stand.

Update: There is also a magic lavender bush in front of our house. Now we can just go outside for standing practice.

Update #2: Uh-oh, Maddy is no longer interested in bushes. And therefore.... she no longer can stand on her own!

Smiling Swinger

Learning to use a Spoon

Free Fertilizer!

Amazing. One day I'm discovering that via some anonymous benefactor the farm now has a lawn mower. The next, we've got a power tiller, with a full tank of gas. The next day what shows up, but case after case after case of fertilizer boxes! Never mind that this fertilizer is "Palm and Hibiscus Food"--since it's normally $7.99 a box and is now free, this farmer isn't going to be a choosy begger.....

4 Years of Anticipation...

Finally, my Portland Experience is complete: Voodoo's Maple-Glazed Bacon Donut!

It may be darkly lit. It may be 2am. It may be one of the few donuts on the menu with a G-rated name. And while I thought the Tang donut I had last time was pretty good, mmmm, this one sure does live up to the hype. I've long been a fan of maple+bacon, but maple+bacon+donut is indeed a trifecta perfecta!

Tomato Forest

Here we are and it's May already. Summer is sneaking up on us, today's hailstorm notwithstanding. I'd like to have tomatoes out in the garden by the 4th week of the month, so it is nice to see that these starts are coming along.

Some are "early varieties" with an estimated 55 days to fruiting but a few of these plants are a little confused and keep trying to flower prematurely, so bud trimming has become a daily event.

Today I did the third and final transplant, these now being the biggest pots I can fit indoors, and it was an opportunity to trim back some lower leaves and plant the starts up to their necks in soil to encourage development of a more robust root bundle.

BBQ ribs--yum!!

1 Year Old!

Madeleine's First Birthday Party. Momma made yummy chocolate cake, and Maddy finished all of her piece, and some ice cream too!

Farm Update

Here we are, April 15th and multiple crops in the ground. Front left foreground: onions, and garlic beyond that. In the distance is Romaine, and in a row along the right are two types of sugar peas.