My Bit of Earth

Food Gardens Galore

Yesterday afternoon we biked around to a four or five spots on the Lawrence Food Garden Tour.

It's so incredible to me what committed people are doing with their food gardens!  

While a few of the stops were what you would expect--i.e. small, backyard family gardens--most were more on the scale of urban farms.  At the place where I photographed these chickens, the proud gardener told me that he and his partner were actively trying to see how much food they could produce on their city lot with the least expense.  He left me with little doubt but that they don't have to buy an outside vegetable all summer.  While that kind of effort is not necessarily for me, it was nonetheless very impressive!

And the chickens....there were two stops that each had flocks of about 10 birds.  Although I was a slacker and didn't take the pictures I should have, I was interested to see just how simple their coop setups were.  I think it will be very doable for us to build our own little coop next spring.  (Any maybe even put it on the food garden tour for next summer!)

First Plantings in a New Bit of Earth

So, the couple we're buying the house from? Nicest people ever.  And the male half of the couple is an avid gardener (which may be a little redundant with my first sentence), and so immediately understood the problem with moving into a house in the middle of June.  (I.e., you can't plant veggies at the old place because you'll be gone before the plants mature, but you can't wait to plant veggies at the new place because, darn-it, then you wouldn't get your first tomato until sometime in August which is just too much of a tragedy to even be contemplated!)  That being the case, he invited us over this week to put some plants in at the new house--yay!

But, um, here's the thing.  Ya know how I've been bitching for years about not having enough space and having to cram plants together and yaddie-yadda?  Well, that's not a problem anymore.  

This is just about half of the new veggie garden space (and the herbs and asparagus are in the completely separate "Druid Circle of Goodness" Herb Garden).  It's basically 4 beds, all of which are about 18' x 4' ish, or a little over double the size of the Burrow Garden.  I actually thought I might have gone a little overboard buying plants at the nursery.  I got NINE tomatoes (yes, that's NINE), three peppers, a squash, a pumpkin, some okra, and an eggplant.  All of those plants barely filled two of the beds, and that was with generous spacing and making room for some lettuce and spinach and peas that were already planted.

It kinda feels like I'm moving onto a plantation.

Standing there looking over it all, I couldn't help but think to myself, "What the heck am I going to fill these other two beds with?"  Given time to think it over however....maybe some corn, and green beans, and garlic--ohhh, a lot of garlic!--and potatoes, oh, and carrots and radishes and Brussels sprouts and....the possibilities!

But, for now--if you can read my scribbley-scrawl--this is what got planted:

A Wonderful Weekend AND ASPARAGUS WEEK!

Do you ever sit down on a Sunday evening and think, "Holygosh, this has been the greatest weekend ever....?"

Friday night started with a walk downtown for friends and sushi and Sylas and Maddy's homemade ice cream.  'Nuff said.

Then yesterday, I went to visit Nice Grandma and Nice Other Relatives.  While I don't want to discount my visit with them--which was quite nice--Wamego (the teensy little town Nice Grandma resides in) is becoming a joy to visit in-and-of-itself.  Not only is there a yarn store and a pottery gallery, but there are three wineries.  And one of them is a winery/photo gallery/law office!  (Truly, I walked in a little dazed--I did not know such a magnificent combination was even conceivable!)

While I was visiting and tasting, Sweet Husband was A) working on jewelry for his upcoming sale (more on that later!) and B) going on the inaugural "Douglas County Scooter Demons" scooter ride. 

By the time we both got home, we had our very first severe weather of the season.  

A common phrase in Kansas this time of year is, "Well, I hate the destruction tornadoes cause, but....did you see the storm last night?"  (That last part in an awestruck and Christmas-morning-excited voice with a blissful smile to accompany it.) 

Truth of the matter is, if you don't get just a little turned on by the electricity in the air...the smell of the wind...the drop in air pressure...that moment the sky turns green...you won't make it in Kansas very long.  And last night was incredible!  Sweet Husband and I had the windows open and the news on, and  oh it was awesome!

Then, last but not least, this morning, we got up early and went to Pendleton's for some asparagus pickin'.

About a month ago, I got this crazy idea that I should have an "Asparagus Week" when my little, spindly, green friends came into season.  Sweet Husband--being the lovely, indulgent man that he is--concurred.  So, without further delay, I'm pleased to announce that this will be ASPARAGUS WEEK at My Bit of Earth.  

That's right folks, we picked FOUR AND A HALF POUNDS of beautiful asparagus this morning, and every night this week I will be cooking it up in some extraordinary fashion, then posting the recipe the next morning.  Our pee will be stinky, but we shall be very well fed!

Flowers Planted and Dirty Feet

Yesterday afternoon I was able to get a little garden tending in.  

I planted some Cinnamon Sunflowers and Cosmos (all from last year's seeds--yay!), and dog proofed them just a bit.  (I've found that if I don't cover new plantings somehow, Moe and Porter will maul them to death.  I let them stay this way until the plants emerge and get a few inches tall, then I'll take the coverings off.)  

I gave my peas a little blue trellis to wind their little tendrils up.  And the radishes and lettuce are coming along too.  (Sigh.  I love Spring veggies.  They're like magic--just sprinkle seeds on dirt, wait for some rain, and off they go!)

And my dirty, dirty feet--the first pair of the season.  ;)

Driving West of Here

Journeyed a just a little bit West--into the Flint Hills basically--this weekend to visit a friend.  

I swear, I don't know how people don't have more wrecks out there.  You'll be driving along, and all of a sudden you'll hit the crest of a hill and everything will open up in front of you--green mixed with gold mixed with black (from the newly burned fields).  As you would imagine, being Kansas, it is flat, but it's a rolling flat, not utterly flat like true Western Kansas.  And it's absolutely beautiful in that huge, lonely, desolate kind of way.  

Makes it hard to pay proper attention to the road.

Pretty Flowers/Ugly Knitting

First, the pretty.  Look what came back!  Despite being encased in ice last weekend, my daffodils weathered through like champs and are now making me very happy!

And, the ugly?  This month's monthly knit-a-long washcloth.  The yarn was kind of pretty in it's ball--very spring looking.  And, I don't think the pattern is inherently yucky either--looking at some of the cloths others have made, the pattern could be very pretty.  But something about the two together is just ugh.  It could easily be mistaken for a 60's sofa doily.  

But, I suppose it will still scrub pots just as well as a pretty cloth would, so whatever....

Spring?

Although we did not get the foot of snow that was predicted, this icy, drizzley stuff....I do not like it.  While I may avoid having to replant all those lovely veggie seeds I put in the ground the other day--most of them have not sprouted up yet--the daffs are toast.

Early Plantings and Movings and Gardening Things

Stopped by the nursery on the way home at the end of last week, and came away with a plant or two.  It's kind of hard planning this year.  I gave up my plot in the community garden--people were clamoring for spots, and I knew that a) I'll have my own place soon and b) I'm not sure I'll have time--but I still gotta plant something, right?  I mean, what would I talk about all summer with no garden?

So, I decided on some early veggies.  I planted seeds for lettuce and radishes and peas, and bought some little broccoli plants--all plunked in pots and the planter at home.  If they grow before we move, great.  If not, I'll leave what I can't take for the new occupants (who are really good friends who enjoy fresh veggies).

I also decided to move the tulips, already popping up as pictured at lower left.  Don't ask me what possessed me--I've probably killed them for good this time--but maybe they'll still bloom...probably...I hope?

Random (Almost) Spring Thoughts on Sleeping

We had to leave town for a little family emergency on Monday (everything's OK, no worries), so blogging and everything else this week has gone all topsy-turvy.

But, briefly....

Does anyone else get all conflicted about their sleeping habits in the Spring?  Some mornings I want to leap up as if I might "hear golden trumpets".  (Props to anyone who knows what that's from.)  But some mornings (like today) when it's just the perfect temperature (cool enough to snuggle under blankets, but not cold), and a yummy smelling breeze is coming in through the window, and there's a bird chirping idyllically outside....mmm, it would have been such a perfect day to stay in bed for awhile!

A Ride and a Camel, but not a Ride on a Camel

Sometimes when it's nice on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, we'll just hop on the scoot and drive somewhere.  Sometimes we start with a destination, sometimes not, sometimes we make it, sometimes not--you know.

From top left and clockwise....Sweet Husband on the scoot (I know, the helmet is a trip, but it keeps his brain safe so I love it)....burning fields (I love the smell this time of year--keep thinking of going on one of these tours, but I haven't made it happen yet for one reason or another)....a possibly pregnant cow....a camel (Yeah, I know a camel!  In the middle of a field--so weird, made the whole drive!).

Look What's Waking Up

Although it's still chilly out, my 'Red Riding Hood' tulips and daffodils are beginning to make their annual appearance.  

I'm a little surprised that they've all come back, actually.  They were swamped by morning glories just about the second they got done blooming last year, and I was afraid they might not have gotten a chance to properly rest and re-fuel.  

Shows what I know, eh?

Small Textures

We were are the LOLA Valentine's show at our favorite local nursery (wonderful little sale, by the way, I could have bought something at every booth!) when I wandered over to the plants (imagine that!) and found a shelf of orchids.  

Which made me think of this week's Shutter Sisters Superhero Photo Challenge--to get a shot of something abstract, as in:

"Do you remember Highlights magazine from when you were a kid? I remember poring through it at the dentist's office or the eye doctor, always flipping as quickly as I could to the back section where the photography was. There was always a page full of photographs of things that were taken so close is was hard to decipher what the object was anymore- a tennis ball, a waffle, someone's skin. The game of course was to guess what each thing was."

So, I pulled my camera out of my purse (what you don't carry a camera with you at all times?) and started clicking.  I was a little disappointed that I couldn't zoom this in a bit more so that you'd really have to guess to tell what it was, but, eh, it's still gorgeous, so whatever!

And don't you just want to run you fingers over all the textures--the little bumps and hairs and ribs and smooth spots and veins?  Yes, yes, I think we all do!

Love Thursday: Plant Porn

I know I will just buy my seeds (to the extent that I even try to grow plants from seed) from my local nursery.

I know that in the event they don't have what I need I could simply order seeds online.  

I know that it's wasteful and frivolous and downright tree-murdering of me not to tell them to stop sending you.

But I just can't pull the trigger on our relationship, Seed Savers Exchange Catalog.  Because when you come in the mail, and I run my hands over your bright and glossy cover....when I open you up to discover gorgeous shots of 18 different varieties of cucumber...mysterious things like dinosaur gourds...miraculous things like sunflowers...and tomatoes...I just can't help myself.  I have to peruse you over and over and over again....

(For more Love Thursday fun, check out Chookooloonks.)

Moe Speaks: Fourth Birthday

Today, I am four.  I think Mom is maybe a little sad about this--me entering middle age and all--but I'm completely down with it.  I don't mind being older so much, and birthdays always mean fun!

This year my "present" was a nice, long afternoon walk at Clinton Lake.  (We celebrated last weekend.)  We don't usually go out hiking very much during "mud season", but Mom said we'd make an exception. 

(Note from Mom: I think we still have mud pasted to the kitchen floor from the aftermath!)

First, we walked all the way to the top of a big hill that looks over the lake. 

 

Then I chased my ball down hill towards the lake shore.

Mom played around for awhile taking pictures on the beach, but the lake was frozen, so no swimming!  I did get to sniff around a little before we headed for home though.

And then, as if the walk wasn't enough, I got to take a shower all by myself to wash off my mud!  

What a great birthday I had!

Snow Walkin'

Moe cannot go for a walk in winter weather without getting snow-beard.

I cannot go for a walk in winter weather without my spotty new galoshes.  They're so much better than wet feet.  I can't believe I didn't get a pair years ago.

Lemons!!!

Despite what might seem like an inhospitable time of year for it, it's once again time for May Dreams Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.  Follow the link to see what's blooming this month all over the world.

This month, I am ever-so-proud to announce, I've got lemons!!!

Yes, my little "Meyer" lemon tree--a Christmas gift from Sweet Husband way back in 2004--has finally produced it's first fruit.  They've taken about four months to finally turn yellow, but I think they're finally done.  Now...what to use them for? 

Poinsettia Paradise

One of my favorite December field trips?  A quick detour to my favorite greenhouse to soak in some fresh (non-freezing) air, and walk through their rows and rows of poinsettias waiting for Christmas homes.  Of course, one of those Christmas homes always ends up being my home!

Wishing You All Had Sniffable Internet

My Annual Paperwhite Pep Talk

OK, I know I post about this every year, but really, they're so easy--if you enjoy fresh flowers there's really no reason not to plant a few paperwhites.

For those who haven't heard my schpeel, just get a few bulbs (your local garden center will have them, or you can get little kits at a big box store), a small pot, and some rocks.  Add the rocks to your pot, nestle in the paperwhite bulbs, and put in just enough water to barely touch the bottom of the bulbs.  Place in a sunny spot, keep the water topped up, and *wahlah* in 4-6 weeks you'll have beautiful, sweet smelling flowers.

(Cross-posted at BlogHer.)

Inviting Autumn In

1. A leaf garland--just a short one.

2. A few crocheted acorns.  (The search for the caps was maddening--the squirrels in my neighborhood have been through!)

3. Some bittersweet and a baby pun'kin.  (Very pretty, but poisonous to pups so this one is way above the high terrier line.)