Garden Harvest

With September comes fall, one of my favorite seasons and a garden harvest! The cool crisp air, crunchy leaves, home made garden vegetable soup maybe pie? Heart warming or belly warming?

We grew some squash (zucchini and acorn squash). I really wanted Butternut Squash for Jack but wasn't able to find any so we did without. We steamed a few for dinner and used some for zucchini bread/cake which was appreciated by family, friends and Anthony's co-workers. Some was gifted with recipes and hopes that we could inspire others to start a family garden of their own. Watermelon, and cantaloupe also grew, but didn't have a long enough grow period.


We had heaps and oodles of peas, bowls full and a second crop to boot! Our green peas would crunch on first bite, some had a sweet freshness others were tempered by a grassy note. Jack would hand peas (and beans) over the fence to the "girl next door". Could it be love at first bite?

Beans, Beans, Beans... gotta grow some beans!! They were perfect when steamed, added to a soup or eaten alone.





I called Anthony on his work cell one afternoon and was directed to speak to his boss. Our conversation went a little like this: "Alvina, we haven't had any baking lately, why not?" A: " Tell you what Ron, I'll send some with Anthony as soon as you give him a raise." Ron laughs, "Actually, I just gave everyone a raise, I'll enjoy your baking tomorrow." So I pulled some carrots and made carrot cake, seems like a good way to celebrate a raise doesn't it?

We also were able to grow a bunch of other goodies including Swiss chard, broccoli, radish, tomatoes, celery, romaine/green lettuce, onions, green onions, garlic, and strawberries. Our rhubarb (thanks for thinning yours and gifting to us Jen)will need a couple more years before we are able to enjoy it's yummy-ness, and the raspberry bush will take some time too. Our city garden was massive this year and we hope that it will continue to be therapeutic, a source of good healthily food and pride.

My nephews visited for the weekend from out of town and helped harvest the garden. Nolan especially enjoyed the zucchini and Leland went nuts for potatoes... he filled his pant pockets with them until his pants were literally falling off!

We pickled some beets which we will savor on Thanksgiving, and for good measure we pickled some eggs because you have to have pickled eggs when you enjoy a few drinks; and well Anthony plans on drinking.

A great garden harvest warms hearts, and bellies and I think we have done just that!