As promised, a photo of my mini-garden. It is confined to planter boxes for the time being, but we have plans to expand into the back lawn.
Hello salad!
That’s the flattering angle of my “garden.” From the other direction, scary. The arugula is just screaming for attention–it’s in the far planter, crowded, insisting on space, and stealing it from the stunted beets and the three sickly soybean plants.
At dinner last night I asked Husband if he thought it was the coolest thing in the world that I can step into the back yard and “pick” our salad just before we eat it. For him, the novelty wore off after the first night. For me, it never gets old. I look at the bright green things in my salad bowl and just marvel at how these used to be tiny seeds. I have loved them. Like a proud parent, I even made phone calls to friends and family when they sprouted.
I’ve been spending so much of my attention on these two planter boxes (and the failed experiments of container lettuce) that I neglected the front and side yards. Now they are SCARY.
Monster Weed
I don’t think this photo can really get my point across. This is only a small cross-section of one-eighth of the tree-sized weed growing in the side yard. It’s–really–big. Well, it was. And it has friends–many friends. And it had these prickly leaves (hence the heavy work gloves…oh, who am I kidding–I’m freaked out about spiders and all kinds of bugs and always wear gloves when I work in the yard).
The gardening stuff gives me something else to think about. This week had a downer (the agent formerly interested in Savage Autumn sent an impersonal r e j e c t i o n letter), and an upper (SA made it into the second round of the ABNA contest). And I’m starting to really think about the next book, which is so much fun, but my brain needs a break sometimes, and it needs to get outside.
Well, the sequel to The Hunger Games awaits. So glad the weekend starts tomorrow!
Beth Hull 
I love the pics! Your mini garden looks so nice! And lovely boxes too (your dad did a great job). I’m totally jealous and want a garden (minus slugs and monster weeds).
One of my twitter friends sent me the 99 foods I must eat in LA before I die, written by LA’s top food critic. I’ve eaten 5 so far. 94 more to go!
You know something is special to you, when the novelty doesn’t wear off! What a joy to revel in God’s creation…imagine how He must feel about us!!!
Off topic, I started Fire. So good! I think I may like this one better than Graceling… maybe it will get the elusive FIVE STARS. Hehe.
it is admirable to enjoy nature and be grateful for God’s creation!
😉
LOVE your planter boxes! I am dying to do that in our backyard, but Hubbs & I are NOT handy that way. Did you guys build them or have them built? I have tried gardening the “old fashioned way” & it practically broke my back because of how much clay is in the soil here, as well as the crop just didn’t taste good. I was very bummed, but it was my first-ever attempt at gardening, so, try & try again!
Yay for being able to have success with something that brings you pleasure & allows you some distraction from book-land. 🙂 I will be asking you questions when it comes time for our garden to start!
Vicki, my dad made those boxes as my Christmas gift last year. If you’re interested in having him build some for you, let me know!
I’m a novice gardener still, but I’ll be happy to talk to you about it anytime.