Wednesday 18 May 2011

Mud Pies Anyone?


I actually had someone look at this "scene" and ask me if I'm putting in a pond for my ducks. That about sums up the very sad (and very very waterlogged) state of my great garden expansion project. The soil in these parts is not exactly ideal. Long before we purchased this property, it was mined for topsoil in certain areas. Because of the abundance of clay, we had to bring in some garden soil if we had any hopes of sprouting some seeds. Up to it's axles in mud, the dump truck simply could not unload a reasonable distance from the garden site. Over zealous to get this project started, I made a HUGE error and hired a Bobcat to ferry the soil to the site. In retrospect, I should have either waited for things to dry out, or sucked it up big time and pulled out my wheelbarrow (a near impossible feat I realized after just one load). The crawlers on the machine tore up the compacted clay and voila - I've got a huge mess on my hands. Oh experienced gardeners out there - any wise words of wisdom?


On to happier topics....I'm loving this sweet sign that my little chicken boys created. I was impressed with the collaboration that took place on this project. They are getting prepared for Friday, "egg day", as they anxiously await the sound of coins jingling into their piggy banks.


I found myself visiting Value Village this week in an effort to escape the rain and fog. I picked up these sweet retro Pyrex dishes. It's difficult to find plastic-free storage containers in such small sizes so I was pretty pleased with this find. Of course, they bring back warm fuzzy childhood memories so I enjoy using them for that reason alone!


Despite my sink hole problems, I'm celebrating the first sprouts from my garden. These are turnip greens, which I'm trying for the first time this year. I fell in love with them last year as they were a fairly regular offering in our CSA basket from Taproot. They are so tasty lightly steamed with a dab of butter. Yum!

Just a bunch of randomness today - as my mind contemplates that sink hole solution! Instead of fresh garden veggies, I may very well be serving mud pies to the family this summer.

3 comments:

Anastasia Akasha Kaur said...

sweet pyrex score.....i love pyrex too. i was at vv the other day and had to stop myself from buying some of their mixing bowls. i have way too much kitchen stuff as it is. my favorite pyrex pattern that i am collecting is (i forget the name) but they are the same turquoise as the dish you have in your photo but with a man and woman farmers on it with chickens......i love it! if you ever see any let me know! i usually end up buying pieces at antique stores..........good luck with the mud.

Madame Melville said...

I love that pattern! I've never come across it at VV, but you never know. You have to snatch it up if you see it. I have a few pieces of the "friendship pattern" - orangish/yellow with red with birds and flowers. Hard to find as well.

Madame Melville said...

I love that pattern! I've never come across it at VV, but you never know. You have to snatch it up if you see it. I have a few pieces of the "friendship pattern" - orangish/yellow with red with birds and flowers. Hard to find as well.