the garden was a neglected project. still, some carrots grew and the tomato plants have grown more green and healthy than other years - not sure why they’re only ripening now.

so it was buttered carrots for teatime today. woohoo.  oh and the tea was homegrown chamomile - enough for only 1 pot so it was pretty special.

Though parched, our little garden grew while we were away. The Helmer’s fingerlings were by far the best surprise since i assumed the plants were stunted. Jamie was right - regardless of limited space, anyone can grow potatoes.

heirloom tomatoes are coming soon…

i tried hard to enjoy thoroughly and not complain too much about the heat wave last week but it was rather overwhelming and hard to breathe. The weather is quite the opposite now, cool and hinting at Fall. i hope you all will brave the expected rain and get out to support your local farmers at the markets this weekend. i’ll be there. rain or shine.

just a reminder for the local folk about Sunday’s market.

just a wee bit of the lavender that scents the eye pillows;

Our own wee garden is more of an experimental project rather than to sustain us so i’ll be stocking up as usual at the market.

With the little one off his foot i’m finding it easier to keep close to home. I am grateful for the nice weather that we may be outside in the yard and also for Grandma’s almost tireless  involvement and patience in the little one’s creative games. Inspired by u.p.f.’s rock friends, i brought out the sharpies and those two happily doodled and hummed away, decorating, count them, 19 stones;

The jungle fort - certainly it was lacking in wild greenery and hanging monkeys but it was the best i could do to fulfill his mind’s image. After several trips bringing inside things out, the little one and Grandma P spent a good couple of hours in here and it’s been up every day since;

When we moved into this new home in the Fall i was so excited for Spring to see the huge clematis bloom on the deck. As all things green began to grow in the neighborhood, i thought this vine was slow to wake. Turns out the Winter was too cold and indeed those brown leaves were the last of it.  Even on 1 foot the little one loves a big project. Thanks mostly to Grandma P, all that remains are these big dead vines which haven’t fit into the yard trimmings bin yet;

Hanging baskets will fill the space until something else is planted and grown. I’m thinking wisteria. Does anyone know how slow or quickly those grow?;

Garden report - i’ve already eaten through a whole row of radishes. The 2nd seeded are nearly full grown, the 3rd on their way and 4th close behind.  It’s so fun to eat from the yard.

Also from the yard - some pretty weeds to freshen last week’s bouquet;

I love Summer!

We’ve been to Maplewood Farm many times before but this was the first time exploring in such a big group (i don’t know how i managed to take all these photos without others in the back and foreground?). it was pretty fun running into our Waldorf friends left right and center on this fantastic field trip.The goats seemed less nosy than usual and more content to lie their full pregnant bellies in the sun while the wee little lambs huddled with their mamas in the barn. The bunnies were soft as ever though seemingly perturbed by the constant urgings to eat more more more. The chickens and ducks, on the other hand, could eat rather endlessly. it’s a beautiful place, this farm so near to the city, with it’s trails, bridges and duck pond. We enjoyed again.

little greens from our little garden - i dare any weed to just try and take root. we are at the ready, eager really to pull something up from the planted ground.