The promise of plums like glowing constellations spark the midday sky
Category: Garden Love
Spring Rolls with Japonica and Sushi Rice, Sesame Ginger Marinated Green Beans, Mixed Lettuce and — Sriracha!
I love the transformation that takes place with a round of rice paper when I make spring rolls ~ Whatever you choose to roll up inside, you create this beautiful, translucent, portable delight! Don’t you just love them? Sriracha – the oh-so-spicy Vietnamese hot sauce – makes everything a little bit brighter! A dot here, a…
Mother Earth, We Love You
Slowing down, to savor the miracle of this earth. And, sitting in the garden this morning, silently thanking the spirit of the earth, Pachamama, for sustaining us. May we sustain her, with more grace and intelligence each day.
April Sun, Snowflakes and a Cup of Sweet Rose Tea
Not many words are needed for this spectacular morning on Earth. Just look, and click to enlarge – the sun shown at an angle through the delicate mounds of snow, and in several photos, captured the exquisite singular snowflakes themselves… This next is definitely a photo to enlarge – and the next two after this — please…
Just Before the Rain, or: When I Feel Fragile I Look to the Earth
My body feels fragile today. Human. Delicate. Unsettled. With love, and more than a little gratitude, I look to the earth: She always comforts me. With her intricacies, her breadth. And especially the details. All the glorious details. Though much has changed, since these perennials last sprouted, in my life, my heart – to see them…
A Fervent Planting Day, Spring Altar, and Persian Soup
A wildness is coursing through my veins, bucking winter out of nooks and crannies with a single minded purpose. Get out in that dirt, and start digging. When I did, I immediately unearthed three carrots from last fall – they were crisp, and looked so inviting I came back inside, kicked off my shoes, and ate…
Little Signs, Pachamama and the Smell of Spring
Pachamama, we can only witness — your inspirations welling up green and bright when light stirs you fragrant into spring. Overheard rhetorical question in the tiny Paonia post office this morning, a 55 degree day before another winter storm tonight: “Spring is on it’s way – eventually, right?” And then the rugged questioner turned, gray bearded and smiling,…
Snow Drifts for a Table ….. and Garden Visions
Homemade goat cheese + homemade crackers + hot sun in the snow out the back door = Perfect. So grateful for wonderful food and friends…and early samples before they arrive… I had fun making these: And need to tweak the recipe just a little before I send it out into space to you….alright? The garden…
A Bit of Winter Garden Magic plus Butternut Squash and Feta Stuffed Pasta Shells with “Under the Leaves” Herbs
With mud in view the garden called out to me like a siren this gray February day, snow clouds descending and Mount Lamborn no longer in view. Everything has been covered in white here for weeks, and coming home from a five day trip I smiled, seeing brown leaves and black earth, re-emerging through the melting snow. Once out…
Snowdrops Spotted on February 5th and My Heart Sings
A rush in my heart and a smile on my face – I’m grateful that something so small – has the capacity to bring such joy inside me. I discovered snowdrops blooming on my mid-day walk today. Slipping across the ice, fingers wishing I’d worn gloves. Sweetness.
Don’t Frack the Fork! A Fierce and Tender Love, from Garden to Table
I live in the North Fork Valley of southwestern Colorado, in the small town of Paonia. The North Fork refers to the mighty Gunnison river, which ebbs and flows in varying degrees of tame and wild depending on the season. This community became my home nearly 6 years ago, and I have grown to adore it, land,…
Beet Chips with Kosher Salt and Rosemary
The temperature was -4 early this morning, with a very thin, fine powder of new snow over all. The garden is buried, with my popcorn and cranberry garland from the holidays swinging forlornly from some branches out back. Sweet juncos, a chickadee or two, and flickers will soon be flitting about in spite of the frigid…
Butternut Squash Soup with Leeks, Anaheim Chilies and Dried Italian Plums
Fall. I am finally up for it! I made an autumn wreath from fresh sage and fire thorn berry clusters the other day for my front door. Welcome! After a kinda unsettling bout of digestive funk, I am finally comin’ round, I hope, and having some energy to get back into my work, harvest nearly…
the sweet fall harvests
Each day at this point in the garden season is a treasure. Be-jeweled. I feel it. Looking about this plot of ground, October 4th in the afternoon, I feel the gift big time. It makes poignant, clear sense, to truly be present in the moment these days of twirling, fleeting gold and changing season. And I do my best. Looking for beauty, and…
Pachamama's Beautiful Food 