Deck Steps

My good carpenter friend came back to finesse my deck by adding broad steps on the south and west sides last week. Here's a view of the finished deck from the garden, and a sweet shot of Tom teaching my grand-daughter to handle a hammer.

First Corn, Pepper, and Tomato!

Finally the beginning of the end for the major vegetables. There are pumpkins and zucchini basking in the garden, growing bigger (can't keep up with the zucs now!) every moment. I wasn't sure I would have any tomatoes since the deer kept nibbling away at them, and also the carrot tops have mostly been bitten off (I found an exemption for the one in the photo, hidden under some squash leaves). I've done my chores (fed and watered the cats and the chickens; surveyed and picked the veggies in the photo) and I just think I'm gonna have that ear of corn for breakfast now! Steamed within it's own leaves (I wrap 'em tight and secure with a rubber band: simple) then smeared with a little butter & sprinkled with sea salt. Yum!

Morning Light and Chicken Conversation

August

Bindi and Shorty here on a deck chair: Shorty went home with a nice human family last week; Bindi is still hanging around with her Mama in my garden. Fun to have a kitten around ...

Concord grapes. I make juice to freeze, and enough jelly for Christmas presents for family, using my Mom's recipe.

Basil. From any angle, it makes great pesto! I've tried alternatives, but nothing is as good to my taste as the classic, using pine nuts, good olive oil, garlic, a little salt, and parmesan cheese.


Onions hanging to dry...

Grand-daughter: now a big sister!