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| The spoils of our labor. |
Today was a day of harvest. Laney, Liam, Shesh, and I went to check on our organic vegetable garden after lunch and were pleasantly surprised to find so much to pick from our plants. We found that we had loads of snow peas, green beans, and blackberries to be picked. Our very first summer squash was ready to be plucked from its vine.
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| The first summer squash from our vines. Laney promised to try a bite of it (steamed and with butter and parmesan cheese of course) |
Laney also found a few strawberries to pick, as well as some mint plants (not sure what to make for her with mint!?!) She also harvested some oranges from the orchard so we can squeeze her some juice in the morning.
Our corn stalks are about 2 feet tall, the pumpkin vines are spreading and have small green buds that promise to grow into nice orange beauties, and our tomato plants have gone crazy! Seriously, I am going to start searching the internet for instructions on how to can homemade tomato sauce.
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| Liam snagged a blackberry from the basket and began an impromptu epicurean adventure with berries. |
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| Still deciding if he likes that blackberry. |
There is something so peaceful and rewarding about kneeling in the dirt and harvesting produce. At one time in my life I was not a lover of gardening. Now that my kids can play in our yard, I have really enjoyed transforming it into a peaceful idyllic "secret garden" of sorts. Spending time outdoors with the kids is very relaxing and special to me. The love of gardening is an amazing gift to give your children. Laney loves picking snails off the bushes, digging holes for plants, pulling weeds, and watering. She begs to go outside daily to use the hose in our backyard. I am hoping that growing her own vegetables will help her want to eat them. Right now she seems to shun anything green that crosses her plate. I can't wait until tomorrow when we put our aprons on and cook up something yummy with our well-deserved treats!
