Char's Gardening"As the Garden Grows, so does the Gardener"

It seems as though right around the same time I began my hiatus from blogging I won a contest I had entered at Greenish Thumb.  My prize was “edible” by Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian.   I must admit this is a book I would not have picked out for myself, but that’s the great part of winning things.  I have enjoyed reading this book more than I could have imagined.  The book is a collection of short stories about farmers, food artisans, retailers, chefs, and organizations who are just ordinary people making a difference in their communities.   If the cold months have you down, this book will inspire you.

The weather here lately had been anything but fall like.  But, after a short rain this morning the cool northern wind is blowing in.  Along with the cool wind comes a sense of joy.  As I was walking around my garden, I was reminded how most times it’s the little things that bring the most joy.

Like my garden rebounding, when I had all but given up on it, after the deer ate it down to nubs.

The funky looking weed with the little lanterns.  (I have no idea what it is called.)

The free pinestraw I salvaged from the side of the road before the garbage men came by to collect it.  And, of course, Kahlo, who with a little bribery posed very nicely for me.

My chinese mustard, that has grown from seeds, I exchanged with gardening in the boroughs of nyc.  (I’m always up for seed exchanges, love them.)

What are some of the little things that bring you joy?

“Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits, Take care of your garden And keep out the weeds, Fill it with sunshine Kind words and kind deeds”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow