Oh, hello there.

Yes, I have been away.  Yes, summer has been good to us.  Yes, we are enjoying every last drop.  I am however, missing all of you.  If you are still reading and visiting this lonely little space...well then bless you!  It is my intention to get back to writing in a more regular way- starting today.

The garden is in full bloom and the veggies are rolling in. It hasn't exactly been a bumper crop year in our back yard, but none the less, we are taking what we can get.  We have been fighting a little bit of blossom-end rot, some VERY bitter cucumbers, and those nasty squash bugs.  

Yesterday I caught the neighbor kids plucking cherry tomatoes in secret.  I had to laugh, not only is there more than enough to go around, but let them steal VEGETABLES...and eat them!!!

The sunflowers made their debut last week.  Oooohing and Ahhhhing ensued as we remembered just how magnificent they are.

The above ground boxes have worked well.  Next year, I plan to really try and amend the soil better.  We brought in topsoil for the boxes this year and I have the feeling it just wasn't very nutrient rich.

The other improvement that simply (or not so simply says my husband) must happen next year is: irrigation.  Watering with a hose day and night is a big task and one that doesn't lend itself very well to summer getaways and travel.  Some of my plants have indeed suffered because I haven't been the most consistent water girl.

I love the squash and corn patch. The girls call it "the jungle" and it is a favorite hiding place for Sophie The Cat. 

I never regret all the hard work that goes into our summer gardens.  It always turns out to be more than just a patch of dirt where food grows. 

    

It is a place where we invest ourselves, of sowing and reaping.  I love the way it fosters anticipation and helps us to find joy in simple things. Our garden is a shady little oasis of green that has kept our hands busy and our mouths happy all summer long.