Berries!

I am so lucky to live in the Pacific North West and have access to the best berries I have ever eaten! We are right in the middle of an awesome blackberry season! Last year right when they ripened temperatures rose to over 100 degrees for a week killing them all off which was a bummer. I don't grow black berries because we don't want a yard full of black berries but luckily i work next to an abandoned lot full of them! This year I am saving up berries to make a black berry wheat beer called Berry Garcia (named after Jerry of course). The recipe calls for 8 lbs! I didn't realize just how many berries that would be! I currently have 3 lbs saved and that already fills up a gallon freezer bag! Plus I wanted to save some for the winter. I have so much more picking to do! I haven't even made a cobbler yet! Ahh at least they are free! I can't imagine buying as many berries ! Forging is good!

Nommy Dinner from the garden

A lovely salad with goods from the garden, including beet cakes, carrots, radish, lettuce, and scallions.

Before they hit the salad - The purple carrots are so pretty.

A proper carrot always crosses her legs.

Summer Time.

I have been busier than I thought this summer. It is so nice to have a yard that we can easily access. Our first apartment had a small backyard but you had to go a long distance just to use it... making it more of a hassle than enjoyable. Our second apartment had a small outdoor area but it was always filled with so many bugs. At our house now the deck is amazing. We sit outside and read often. I have coffee there on the weekends. I actually wish I was hanging out there right now.

I am surprised of how little work I do with the garden and how productive it has been. To be honest I get a bit lazy with long term projects. I did the planting with lots of coaxing from the husband. I weed way less than I should but luckily plants just want to grow! The tomatos are taller than me.. which makes them the biggest tomatoes I have ever grown (this is my third year growing them.) I harvested over twenty cucumbers the other day and there are so many more to pick! Lettuce is doing great, we eat beets all the time. The pepper plant just started getting babies and the lima beans are flowering! I am very pleased. We are already thinking about expanding the garden next year. I should probably get some fall seeds and start them soon! I'll probably put it off though.

Our first Egg! Thanks Helen!

Alice doesn't care so much.

"Yes, I know, I found it," says Joe.

Check it out I am so excited!

Meet the new chicks.

This is Camilla

and here is Esther