Walks in His Gardens-Astoria Again!

It has been a nice summer in our gardens; it really has!! I've loved working and being outside for the most part and seeing dreams becoming reality is really satisfying! But as I've said before, I was born with a 'travel bug' which was continuously nurtured by likewise afflicted parents during my childhood and even into adulthood; I just cannot stand to be home very long--no matter how wonderful it is--before the call to explore compels me to get on the road again. And such was the case this last week--

Now since my hubby had to work, I asked my best friend if she would like to go with me and she, being likewise afflicted with the 'bug', said yes and off we went.

Pictured (left to right): Norwegian cardamom-cinnamon roll, powdered sugar topped fattigmann, Finnish prune tart pinwheel and plain fattigmann. Recipes for all these can easily be found on the web.

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We were headed to one of my favorite places on the Oregon coast which I hadn't been to for several years--the port city of Astoria. I was more then eager to see it again; after all it has an awesome Scandinavian bakery--and I was hungry for a Finnish prune pinwheel, fattigmann and other Nordic treats you see above! (If you live in Washington there is a great Nordic bakery in Poulsbo; haven't been there in awhile but last time I went it was good. Of course you can try your hand at some of these treats at home too.)

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I did have some goals in mind (besides food that is!) for our trip and my friend, who wasn't familiar with the area let me take the lead. Our itinerary would include Ft Stevens (just across Young's Bay from Astoria), Astor Column, hunting down some of 'The Goonies (& other movie) filming locations and driving past the numerous Victorian homes that this little 'San Francisco' of the Pacific NW has.

Astor Column, taken on an earlier trip there. It was impossible to not get people in the photos I took on our recent trip:) A history and more info on the column can be found here.

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Although our order of visitation was different, I am going to start with the high point of Astoria (literally the HIGH point) which is Coxcomb Hill, It is here you will find the Astor Column and panoramic views of the surrounding area--a place of beautiful mountains, foothills, waterways and more!

The route there is fairly well marked and once you are on Coxcomb you just follow it to the top (expect a lot of curves and some good views including a peek at the column above as you draw closer.

BTW--as you cross over Young's Bay you can also spot the column on the hill if you are looking for it:)

Beautiful, isn't it? I never get tired of this place and I don't think I am alone in that feeling.It is well worth the short drive up to the top of the hill. I should say that there is, in addition to the column, a gift shop and rest room facilities.

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But there is much more to Astoria then the Astor Column and Hollywood figured that out a long time ago. Astoria has been the site for at least some of several movies including the Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, Short Circuit, Free Willy and Into the Wild among others. Not surprising for as you can see the views are incredible here and at nearby Ft Stevens and the Cannon Beach/Ecola Beach areas.

We set off to track down some film locations...

finding the school used in Kindergarten Cop was no problem (I had been by it many times before) but you'll have to wait for a moment for the photo..

My main goal was Goonie locations though and after a little hunting around (we did have an exact address and partial directions but no map) we were able to locate the Goonie home. I was very excited about that!!

(Sorry but since it is on a private road I am not posting a photo here; however Goonies are allowed to walk up and see it per a sign at the bottom of the hill. If you want to see a photo just do a search for 'Goonie house' and you'll find it). I also found Data's house nearby plus a great view of the river below

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BTW-- I should say before moving on that the bridge in the last photo of the Astor Column area was in the movie Short Circuit.

Here is a photo of the Flavel Museum - a beautiful Victorian and the museum in The Goonies. Eek! I cut off the top part of the tower with the photo border; oh well...

Other areas of the NW with lots of Victorians is Port Townsend and Port Gamble, Washington state. Of course I find Victorians everywhere I go:) I love the style of home and one time was lucky enough to get to sleep in the tower of a home in Portland, Oregon. Apparently my mom lived in one for awhile when she was younger so maybe I come by this love for them naturally.

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(Another type of home I really love is the log cabin/home and we saw one of those too on this trip. I will post it when I post the photos of Ft Stevens and the Hammond/Warrenton area. I have stayed in several of these too in both Oregon and Washington )

And here is a picture of the John Jacob Astor School which was a prominent location in Kindergarten Cop. I hate to admit it (true confession here..but I sometimes watch these films just because I love Astoria so much). If you follow this link you can see my earlier post of Astoria with a few more photos (trolley streetcar, waterfront, etc)

One last photo ---for now that is.

This is part of the waterfront--the one along the Columbia River. The trolley goes along this area I believe although I did not see it on this trip.

At Ft Stevens you can see the mouth of the Columbia River; it is considered dangerous to pass over but many ships--large and small do it each day.

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Note: I haven't forgotten about the photos from my trip to the lavender and berry farms. Just needed to check on something first...will post soon and also some incredible photos from southern Oregon/northern California AND the photos from across Young's Bay and part of Lewis & Clark's route along the Columbia River.

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Blessings,

Aimee

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Sorry this post is a bit rambling--

it is late here (well actually it's early, early morning) and I am really tired.

TY for your understanding:)

Update: well it is now afternoon and this still sounds rambling after some changes, but since I have my mind on some other things I am going to leave it. Hope you enjoy the photos:)

We Have Ripe Tomatoes!!

I used to think the red cherry tomato was the sweetest in the world; that is until I tasted the grape tomato...

but that was then and this is now.

My new favorite---

the sungold cherry tomato and I have a feeling it will stay my fav for a long, long time!

Now I knew it was sweet, for my friend sang its glory;

well not literally 'sang', but she did convince me that it was worth buying one!

And maybe it has something to do it with being homegrown...

but YUMMY seems way too indequate a word to describe this morsel of orange, juicy sweetness.

Think candy but SO much better.

Can hardly wait till more ripen:)

Of Birds & Bugs

A beautiful day here in the NW with clear skies and warm, but not too hot, temperatures. Earlier I watered some of the garden, held my baby granddaughter while her mom took care of some things and I'm now inside listening to some very relaxing and, at the same time, uplifting Christian music while I type on a laptop keyboard and scan through recent photos of our garden. Here are a few of them to share with you.

Cilantro & bee.

Yes, with the lovely warmer weather our cilantro has bolted and is on its way to being coriander. Yum, coriander--good for Nordic food!

Robin in the pine.

We have had somewhere between 2-3 bird nests that I know about (probably more) this summer. Often in the day I hear them making melodies.

Did you know that when a bird has a nest and sees a possible threat to their young, that they will try to lure you elsewhere to protect the young in the nest?

One of my favorite insects--the ladybug. Did you hear about the ladybug invasion in one yard in Colorado? Amazing! It looked like a carpet of red on a tree and part of the house. It was beautiful and yet a bit eerie too.

All I can find in our garden is one ladybug on the raspberry but I feel lucky and blessed to have it and I am sure there are more doing the task that God ordained for them to do.

And that is 'the end'.

Wishing you a blessed day!

Blessings always,

Aimee

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Photos:

as above.

A Day Like Any Other?

It was a day like any other.

Ran into town to make a deposit and get some groceries; the checker, finding out I enjoyed gardening, let me look at her garden photos--I LOVE it!

Came home, unloaded groceries and took my usual garden tour.

Checked the kiwi--no fruit, just spent blossoms; so very disappointing after an abundance of blossoms this year held so much promise.

Looked at the fruit trees closest to the house--made a note to hang apple maggot traps next year and possibly do some organic, dormant sprays IF we can do so and not hurt the fish (here fish come first--at least as far as the garden is concerned) Hopefully I will be able to salvage at least part of the pears; the apple and Asian pear trees look better.

Oh my! That Swiss chard is BADLY overgrown...feeling guilty now. Wonder if I can still use it? If not then I guess I will replant as I just bought some seeds for a fall harvest.

Ah! The raspberry is looking better and better everyday. Looks like that BIG one may be pretty close to harvest time. I will have to check on that:)

Figs looking good. Quick picture; the slithery ones like this area.

This has been the strangest year in our garden. Not too long ago I was still seeing 1-2 forsythia blossoms and now look at the dogwood. Strange --- and yet beautiful!

Under the kiwi arbor again---checking, checking ---nothing. How about the other side (you know the one I haven't checked). Looking up...what?

Those adorable, fuzzy looking things...that look kind of like baby kiwi are KIWI!!!

WE DO HAVE KIWI!!!

And then, now that I know where to look, I find more....

and as I continue to search I find still more.

Yes, it was a day like any other, except it wasn't

for...

God had yet again given us another blessing;

I just had given up looking for it too soon.

Thank you, God.

Blessings,

Aimee

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Photos:

• Slightly overgrown Swiss Chard-'Bright Lights'
• Raspberries-'Anne' (yea I know I posted one the other day, but I can't help myself! I am just SO captivated by this golden raspberry).
• Fig--Desert King (yes the NW has figs!)
• Dogwod Kousa 'Cherokee' (still showing color in July!)
• Kiwi-this is a fuzzy kiwi; I think we have a Haywood. When you grow this type you have to buy a male and female to have fruit. Kiwi can be grown as far north as beautiful (love it there!) Vancouver Island. You will need one sturdy arbor or trellis to grow these on!

More in the Garden

Well I was hoping to post the wonderful photos of our trip to the land of lavender and berry farms and the best cafe in the world today...but alas I am about to take off on another trip.

I know, I am SO bad! But it is somewhat a mission of mercy too. SO maybe just a little bad.

Anyway between laundry, dishes, etc I am probably not going to get the afore-mentioned photos done this afternoon, so until then more photos of our gardens-but first-a QUESTION. Yes, Aimee is calling upon any of her readers to help her with a QUESTION that desperately NEEDS an answer. HELP--pretty please.

OK now that I have pleaded properly for help, this is the QUESTION---

if you will please kindly refer to the photo above at this time.

No, that was NOT the QUESTION (in fact that really wasn't a question at all but more of a direction and request) HOWEVER the question is pictured above-sort of.

Complicated--yes I know--but I can be one complicated person if I try hard enough.

Let me make this easy---this photo above was taken before the major project of relining the upper pond was done, hence it looks better now except that the colors are really pretty in this shot I think. But back to the matter at hand.

I need HELP on deciding the color stain to use on the above pictured hubby-made bridge. I am thinking a redwood or cedar type stain but would like to know what you think.

Now let me tilt that question slightly in favor of one of those choices. I LOVE red and in fact can't ever get enough of it, but subtle is sometimes good too so ....

please help (and yes this blog happily allows anonymous comments so you can answer safely and securely knowing I will have no idea who you are unless you want me to).

Thanks and now on to the garden.. :)

Tree Cloud Hat. Really. I always like to think that clouds are God's cotton balls in the sky. He shapes them into things only an artist can and I LOVE to watch them--especially in southern Idaho where they look like animals and all kinds of neat things. I guess God does to clouds what some people do to balloons.

A cruel picture of a not quite ripe Sungold tomato.

Cruel because I LOVE fresh tomatoes and I want nothing more then to have one of these babies RIGHT NOW with some fresh lettuce. YUM!

This is why professional bloggers don't use point and shoot digital cameras but I could not resist posting it nevertheless because 1) I am in a one woman fight against perfectionism (mine) and 2) because I was like RIGHT there. And because it is blurry I will even let you know what it is--- a blue dragonfly.

The most of the way finished bamboo bench. Somewhere back in the blog archives there is a before (but it pains me to show you it, so if you really need to see it knock yourself out. But not literally please). The new bamboo, from my siblings Japanese-style garden, will fade from the greenish color in time and after sitting on it for a long time we have decided we are really people who need comfort so a bench pad will be made or purchased. Then we need to decide what to do about the weathered bamboo--maybe a stain or ??? Anyway I LOVE it and think it is great to sit on and watch the fish and clouds go by.

An astilbe--supposedly amethyst---but I have my doubts about it as it is pink not lavender IMO. This was when a ray of sunlight caught it just right. Us point and shooters LOVE it when that happens:) And it happens a lot if you spend time in the garden!

Now the bad, the really bad! I would offer a prize for guessing who did this but I have mentioned these bad boys in an earlier blog post so feel that wouldn't be too much of a guess. Anyway for those who just plain don't know this is the work of the dreaded gopher guys. Sigh and the worst part is they just found my mini rose bed.

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Blessings from the NW,

Aimee

Or do you have another suggestion for the bridge? We don't want to use paint but otherwise would gladly listen to suggestions. It is in a Japanese-style garden if that makes a difference (I am saying that because so far I have only found natural wood color or red or red and black used on wood bridges in this type of garden).

In the Garden

Variegated sage & lemon thyme

Chervil. I love this plant & I haven't even used any yet.

It reminds me of a beautiful fern.

Cosmos & a bee having a snack.

I absolutely love my cosmos-both the pink and white ones.

Baby carrot tops.

These will be small, roundish Parisian Market carrots when they 'grow up' and were planted after we harvested some lettuce.

Anne raspberries-a golden raspberry.

Since it seems to be doing so well in the wine barrel, I will plant another raspberry plant in their later this year.

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Blessings from my garden to yours,

Aimee

Biblical Habits..

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”

Psalms 1: 2 KJV

“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”

I Timothy 4:15 KJV

“I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”

Psalms 77:11-13 KJV
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Recently my DIL bought me a book to read. It is a combination travel - spiritual - autobiographical book, and an interesting look at other cultures around the world. And I found myself, though I don't agree with the author's conclusions of who God is and how mankind can have a relationship with their Creator, reading it and wondering why many Christians, myself included, don't seem to follow the practice of Biblical meditation, prayer & scripture reading to the extent that King David and other Biblical people did.

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I have to ask myself----if a relationship with God is so very important to me why don't I prioritize spending time with Him? I mean more then just reading a few chapters of the Bible a day and praying. I mean actually spending TIME with God--time to really allow Him to speak to me through His word and prayer. Time when I am QUIET and listening not talking or doing 'to do' lists in my mind.

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It isn't a matter of not having time, I think, for this book relates the hours spent by people in non-Christian, relatively poor countries in prayer and meditation and yet we (I), who have many modern time saving conveniences seem to get caught up in this world and often fill the time saved by these conveniences with things other then God and family. That challenges me to rethink just how important my relationship is with God and also to wonder just how much more joy and peace I would have if I became more like David who was a 'man after God's heart'.

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Just what are my goals anyway for my life here on earth? More importantly I should be asking myself what are God's goals for my life here on this earth?

Something for me to think further on--but also something for me to ACT on for I have the same 24 hours available to me that they do.

And NOW bedtime before I fall asleep with my laptop in my lap...or dangling from my lap:)
Night all & blessings,
Aimee

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Photo:

Cilantro flower.

Breakfast

Recently I made an omelet and it turned out well although the photo isn't that great:(

I sauteed some freshly picked Swiss chard, basil, lemon thyme and Greek oregano in a bit of olive oil for a few minutes. After that I moved this veggie-herb mixture to the side of the skillet, added some egg whites into the pan (as these cooked I flipped the veggie-herb mixture on top of it). I sprinkled some salt and pepper on top (lightly!) and then some shredded Parmesan cheese and a bit of bruschetta (capers, garlic, olives, tomato type--purchased "Sicilian").

Very good, albeit a tiny bit spicy -- but then I LOVE spicy--and easy.

What do you use in your omelets?

Or are you more the cereal type (I love whole grain cereal with dried fruit and yogurt)? When I went to YWAM (Hawaii base) for a week of conferences, years ago, we had hot cooked cereal, a granola type cereal topped with seasonal fruit and I think honey too every day.

It was such a GREAT way to start the day! Believe me somehow papaya, pineapple and other tropical fruit tastes SO much better when you are there:)

Other favs of mine are Aebleskivers, Dutch baby pancakes (AKA German pancakes) & Swedish pancakes.

Oh -- I am getting so hungry just thinking about breakfast foods. I had better stop and get to bed. I think my body puts on weight just thinking about food.

Sunday Blessings,

Aimee

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Note: you could, of course use whole eggs and add milk if desired. And yes--I know the 'pancake turner' is really a Nordic cheese slicer but it works great in a pinch:) I should say that I tore both the veggie and herbs into small pieces before cooking them. For those who may not know--Swiss chard tastes similar to spinach.

Of Gooseberries

Today I spent a LOT of quality time removing the tips and tails from what was left of our garden's gooseberries. It was interesting...and a bit maddening. Actually it was a lot maddening but worth it...

Now, for those of you who've eaten a gooseberry before you'll understand why someone would be willing to spend hours and hours to preserve these delightful, totally yummy berries--for the rest of you let me tell you about my almost poetic love for them in hopes that you, too, will try some.

How do I love thee oh lovely berry of green? Let me count the ways.

1) You taste a bit like a lemon when you aren't totally ripe and I -- am the original lemon lover. For those of you who like their fruit sweeter, every recipe I have seen calls for sugar so you'll be happy too.
2) When you ripen totally you're a bit like a kiwi, sort of like the gold kiwis I bought last month. Yummy and sweeter then before.

3) You're a pretty little berry--all nice and green (actually I understand some of you come in red too) with a totally cool round design. So cute!!!
4) I am told that you make the best pies and other desserts. I will soon know that for sure, for tomorrow -- if it isn't HOT again -- will be baking day around here:)
5) Preparing you for preservation takes a LOT of time and patience, and I need to practice the latter (actually picking you takes a lot of time and patience too--and a watchful eye for thorns.)

Have any of you ever tried gooseberries and what did you think of them?

Blessings from the land of gooseberries,
Aimee
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Link:

Gooseberry info (wikipedia)

Recipe--still hunting around for a good one so no link yet:)

Photos:
Gooseberries, before the tips and tails were removed. I read that you can do this with either a knife or your fingers, I used the latter and it worked well for me.

Gooseberries, after the tips and tails were removed.

Gooseberries in quart freezer bags (about 3 cups per bag). Dry packed without sugar.

Tidbits

Pressing Need
My hubby loves perfectly shaped, uniformly sized beef patties and is able to make them with nothing more then his hands and some wax paper. Alas, his wife does not seem to be gifted in this area and requires assistance...enter the wonderful invention known as the hamburger press. Now I'm quite familiar with this kitchen tool, having grown up in a home where my mother had a beautiful wooden one and I know it works well, but still I

put off buying one until I was no longer able to get ready-made, USA grown beef patties locally. So now I am the 'proud' owner of a hamburger press (although mine is plastic) and I've been busy happily making patties for my hubby and I.

On the list of delectable items made (and to be made) with this new toy -- I mean tool -- are plain and stuffed beef patties (blue cheese, sauteed mushrooms, fresh herbs, marinated dried tomatoes, etc), buffalo patties and maybe fish and veggie patties.

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Herbs, herbs and more herbs

Recently I read about using fresh herbs to make herb sugar, honey or syrup and herb vinegar. I want to try this so I bought some cute little glass jars with lids and will use them to make such delectable sounding items as lavender sugar (I have some culinary lavender I brought home from a trip to a lavender farm) and lemon verbena or/and lemon balm sugar---just because I am such a lemon aficionado. I will be experimenting some with raw sugar as I do not like the granulated white sugar called for in the recipe.
For the herbal vinegar I will be trying the Mediterranean herbs: basil, Greek oregano, lemon thyme, etc. These too will be made in glass containers -- but I may look around a bit for just the right kind. I also am interested in freezing herbs (supposed to have a fresher taste then drying them). Right now my herb garden is going crazy so I will have lots to use--well all the herbs are doing well except two: the lemon basil which is alive but not thriving and the pineapple sage which broke. Sigh.
The last things I want to do with this year’s herb crop (other then use them in everyday cooking, salads and iced teas) is make a lavender wreath (I am SO into lavender this year as any visitor to my home can tell now)…and maybe a dried herbal wreath. We will see…I still need to finish the Garden for My Son (aka the Japanese-style garden; more about that in a minute)

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Harvest
We’ve enjoyed a couple days of the Red Fire lettuce (good with feta, onions, olives, tomatoes, etc). I also want to try a more fruity themed one with nuts, dried cranberries, etc). My Swiss chard still has not been harvested and is HUGE. Now I don’t say this with pride at all but rather as a sad confession that this should have been done a long, long time ago. The Bright Lights chard makes a beautiful ornamental but I hate to waste it; will try for today.

Of Goose and Blueberries
I am SO into my garden's berries and have been enjoying both of these for awhile (yes I love raw, non sweetened gooseberries--after all I sucked on fresh lemon slices during my childhood) but yesterday we picked almost all of the gooseberries and the ripe blueberries (blueberries will continue to ripen throughout this month). Plans for the berries: The gooseberries will be made into a tart (alnd I'll freeze some for later use); the blueberries never make it past my other son and my mouths. Have I said ---I LOVE berries!

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Of Cherries
Harvested most of the sweet ones but waited too long before freezing them and they taste--well for lack of other terms--a bit fermented; I may discard them....sigh...meanwhile I am eating some remaining fresh ones. Our pie cherries should be ready now and those will be pitted and frozen promptly!

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Of Being a REAL Pacific 'Northwesterner'
You know you’re a real 'Northwesterner'. or on your way to being one when you truly, deeply miss a good day’s rain. I SO love blue skies but I am super sensitive to heat, having had heat exhaustion before and the fields and forests are drying up earlier then usual which isn't a good thing because of the fire danger in the NW. Still I am nowhere near wanting autumn or winter-like weather yet but you can ask me again in August and you might get a different answer:)

The sunsets though with this period of sunshine have been amazing! Just about every evening I find myself drawn away from whatever is going on around me and transfixed by the color and awesome display in the western sky! Beautiful seems to inadequate a word to describe this world that God created!

Garden Update:
We now have a bridge (one my hubby made years ago for his mom) and

the upper pond has been drained and relined (after my sweet and loving hubby spent a LONG time transferring all the upper pond frogs to the lower pond and moving as many of the mosquito fish as possible to temporary quarters),

Additionally,
plants and trees have been pruned,

the raised beds weeded and some compost/potting soil added,

the rock wall has been rebuilt in the apple/blue bed,

bamboo bench repaired

and much, much more.

Due to Life Rule #399,000,000 (always expect the unexpected)

and my inability to work much in heat I, thankfully, had lots of help.

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In Other News

Hubby on vacation--I so LOVE this time of the year :)

He has been spending his 'free time' building a new deck and repairing water damage at his mom's house and doing tons of stuff around here. I really can hardly wait till he retires--I miss him when he's at work. It is nice to see him more then just in the evenings! I really LOVE that man!

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Recently I made a trip to one of the lavender farms in the NW (both the area around Sequim in WA and some areas in OR are known for their lavender). The views were amazing and so was the fragrance of the flowers blooming at that point! On the same trip we also picked some raspberries and tayberries and ate an amazing lunch at a cafe in that area. Photos will be forthcoming when I get a chance.

GOT TO GO---hubby is swimming in the pond and that means PHOTO OP:)

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Wishing you all a safe and blessed July 4th!

Pray for our Armed Forces!

Blessings, Aimee

"The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace." Psalms 29:11 KJV

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Photos:

A bunch of freshly picked lavender.

Earliblue & either Blueray or Bluecrop blueberries from our garden. Note: we have bad birds here! Bad but very entertaining:)
Two of four frogs rescued in the BIG pond relining project. I know, it's blurry--but I am working on getting over my perfectionism! It helps when I post the imperfect, ya know:)

Hubby on vacation!

In the Garden--For my little friend..

Hey there little friend!

I am Kevin Koi. Welcome to our garden again. I would show you around this time but I'm practicing my swimming right now so feel free to look around. You know the path; just stay on it and you'll be fine. Have fun and come see us again for dinner sometime! You did a GREAT job of feeding me and my family! We were really happy to see you!

This is Sammy's spiderweb. He is sunbathing right now so you probably shouldn't disturb him too much but it is OK to look at his web. There are a lot of spiders in the garden and they do hard work so Sammy deserves a little time in the sun! Your grandma really doesn't like them too much but I think she would like this web. What do you think?

Do you know what these are? Nope, they're not flowers, although they are very colorful like blossoms. They are seed pods; you can ask your grandmother what that means if you don't already know. Aren't they pretty?

Look below the other maple and you will see the baby ferns that were planted today. They are itsy bitsy and your grandma calls them steppable ferns. I think they are very cute; what do you think? I can hardly wait to see them growing all over under the tree; that will be very nice!

Hope you had a good time visiting! Maybe when you come again, you can eat some cherries or blueberries. What is your favorite fruit?

Talk to you later & thanks again for feeding me and my family!

Love, Kevin Koi and the other Koiettes.

Harvest in the NW

Looselead lettuce "Red Fire". As it matures the leaves become-in places-more reddish in tone. This is the 'second growth' of this plant; we had already harvested some off it earlier. EASY to grow; ours was grown in wine barrel halves (see earlier post if interested).

Sweet cherries. You do not want to know how we picked them --- but I just have to tell you anyway. Let me start off by telling you that our cherry is a 4 way supposedly semi-dwarf tree (I am hysterically laughing as I write the word dwarf). Talk about mislabeling --- the tree either has to be a standard or this is the tallest semi-dwarf fruit tree I've ever seen; the rest of our dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees are much smaller in comparison. OK and now to the harvesting of said tree---my hubby took a hoe and pulled on the lower branches and I stood on a ladder and picked them. After we filled a bowl full there are still PLENTY left for high flying birds -- of which are yard has been filled with lately.

For those who may be wondering. A 4 way (hope that is the right word) has 4 different kinds of cherries grafted onto one tree. Ours has Rainier, Bing (I think), and 2 others.We also have a pie cherry that is close to being able to harvest. It's a Montmorency.

Blueberries. Earliblue variety. The first to ripen each year for us; but these are off the one we just planted not too long ago--our other one of this variety is not ready to be picked yet. I cannot say enough good things about blueberries but I have a feeling this year the birds might give me a little competition for ours. Maybe--but they don't know I LOVE my blueberries a little on the tart side so ... we will see:)

More then ready to be harvested--at least in part-is the Swiss chard 'Bright Lights'. I say "in part" because per what I have read you can harvest the outer leaves and the chard will continue to grow more and more until frost. That sounds like a good deal to me for the cost of one plant.

Also I've been using our cilantro and basil for awhile now--may I say YUM again!! It is so great to have fresh herbs; I am really enjoying it! This year it's my goal to make herbal sugar with the lemon verbena and lemon balm, herbal vinegar with the Italian herbs and freeze some of my fav herbs so I will have some to use when winter's rain has made summer just a sweet memory!

What are you harvesting?

Blessings, Aimee

Forgot to mention the yummy gooseberry I are today freshly picked right from one of our bushes. YUM!!! Just like the lemons I used to suck on as a kid (now don't go calling me sourpuss!)

Bird song

One of the sweetest songs in the world was written by God many years ago. May His songs & His grace be with you this day & always.

Blessings,

Aimee

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"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." Psalms 28:7 KJV

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Photo: One of 'our' bird visitors today.