Summer's Ending

Today is beautiful and warm with 80's predicted for the next few days. September in Oregon is the most beautiful month, followed by a close 2nd of October. My garden is winding down, but I am surprised at how many flowers I still have.

The sunflowers are amazing. This is a beautiful burnt sienna variety.


I planted this about a month ago. It was in a quart size pot and now it's about 3 times the size. I love it and can not find the tag with the name. Does anyone know what it is?


This one was a surprise. It was a bulb I planted last fall, but I don't remember planting it or what the name is. Any help here?


My tomato's are going like gangbusters. I am having to can and freeze or we will look like two round red globes ourselves. Here is the before (bushel of tomatos) and after (a yummy roasted tomato sauce for freezing). Now we will have the flavor of summer on a cold January night. Can't wait!




I am currently reading Animal, Vegetable, Mircale by Barbara Kingsolver. It's become a source of inspiration to me. I really do want to live on a farm someday (Mr. K calls me Farmer Sam). I'll leave you with a bit of info from it. Organic produce shows significantly higher levels of antioxidants than conventional produce. These antioxidants protect us against disease, cell aging and tumor growth. Spending extra money on organic produce buys these extra nutrients, with added environmental benefits for the next generation.


So, grow your own victory garden or support your local organic grower.


See you, Sammy

Blog Beginnings

I finally broke down and decided to begin a blog......partly because I recently helped my husband put together a blog for his artwork and it got me thinking.....hmmmm, I could start one for me about things I love.......so here I am. I think it will be a mix of gardening....cooking.....reading...... ruminating about things in my head and my heart.......among other things. I'll start with the easy stuff.

First to my garden, which is a very special part of my sanctuary. To appreciate the fullness of it you have to see before and after pictures.

"Before" when we moved in 2 1/2 years ago......phfft!

"During" the process of landscaping.....getting better.

And this August - a garden o' plenty!

Beauty of flowers....

Love it Love it Love it.....

Me and My Corn Patch...

Before this I was never a dig in the dirt kind of girl, but something changed over the last few years. Working in my garden came at a time in my life where I needed space and time for my head and heart to heal. I needed good physical work and lots of time for my heart to work out some complicated things. It was a powerful healing exercise and still is today. More often than not, when I'm struggling with something, you will find me wandering in my garden working myself out. I also have discovered that I LOVE growing my own vegetables and flowers. I love the feeling of being able to feed my little family and bring beautiful color and life to our home. (Willie and Ginger especially appreciate the fresh lettuce and parsley).

Well, more on this later.

Sammy