Carla, Kathleen, Nancy, Therese, Mindy and Holly
Last Sunday, a few of us met in Mindy's kitchen again for a lovely spring gathering. This time Kathleen our wonderful teacher came along and it was a lovely low key day.
We put together a yummy warming bitters with tinctures of ginger, dandelion, licorice and I've forgotten what else. I always manage to leave my notes behind and will get them this coming week when Mindy and I head up to Edible Landscapes to pick up a few things for our gardens. She is dreaming figs and persimmons ... I am dreaming elderberry, passionflower and kiwi.
But back to last week ... we had a delicious pot luck lunch of sourdough rolls and a variety of salads, then went for a walk through Maymont Park, a lovely spot in Richmond, minutes from Mindy's home. The day had started out cold, gray and wet, but on the drive over, the sun came streaming through the dark clouds and it turned into a beautiful spring day. With temperatures somewhere in the mid 80s, the park was packed with others anxious to get out and enjoy the sunshine, daffodils, tulips and other spring blossoms. We were most interested in seeing what "weeds" might be coming up and found violets, dandelions, cleavers, chickweed and land cress up and ready to begin their healing work. Here, closer to the mountains, these herbs are not as far along as they are in Richmond and on arriving home to temperatures only in the 70's, gives you an idea why that is.
Since that fun day, here at home, I've been busy getting in more veggie seeds and planting young starts of mustard and other greens. I really did in my back on Monday digging out Jerusalem Artichoke tubers from a bed I want to use for beans and cukes. Jerusalem Artichokes are terribly invasive and I must have harvested a good 10 lbs of tubers from just planting a half dozen last year. I hope I got them all. I've planted several in a big pot to try to keep them contained, have given some away and plan on making several meals from the rest. I also got my potatoes planted and in the next post will show you how I've put them in pots, to keep them from taking up so much space in the garden.
Wow, Joan, this picture of us is lovely! It made me smile and brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy to be friends with all of you.
Posted by: Carla | April 20, 2009 at 05:33 PM