Wednesday, December 30, 2009

dutchman's pipe, so sexy!



I asked dear Dennison at the Audbon House and Tropical Gardens in Key West, Florida what plant in the gardens should not be missed. He took me to a back fence covered in the Dutchman's Pipe. Oh my! What a sexy plant. Please note the heart shaped leaves, the closed flower which appears so male, and the open flower which just screams, "woman!".  All this to attract the pollinator which I have been told is a butterfly. The wee seed of this plant is also in the shape of a heart. I heart it so much. xoxo

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

night blooming stunner


I was out on a moonlit bike ride when i was stopped by the most delicious scent, and found these holy moly glorious characters...

Monday, November 16, 2009

last tomato sandwich of the season, with bacon on the side


my favorite tomato of the the season, Kellogs Breakfast....an heirloom that grows big bulbous fruit that are super meaty and delicious, great for those who like a full coverage on their tomato sandwich. a divine flavor that is equally sweet and tangy!
true love always

okay, so I am really behind on things I want to put on this blog….but the last of the tomato sandwiches must be documented here!
                                                     this pic is from late October

2nd to last tomato sandwich of 2009


-->
with bacon under the double rich tomatoes

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Kudzu, you crazy old fool

Oh kudzu, you’re so naughty, and how I adore thee….
Covering sides of highways, byways and the old railroad

A vision to behold comrads!
A perfume so bold yet innocent, of grape kool-aid, draws you in to discover hidden under those steroidal leaves, the elegant- leguminous- the kudzu flower…
Purple and yellow royalty!

(click to enlarge to get a good look at those flowers)

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Bud can fix anything with a toothpick


Bud is the real farmer at the River Farm, raising cows and hay. He has his own farm next door but likes his cows to taste the sweet grasses of ours. Those mountain cows, mammoth dears, so agile on those steep Appalachian slopes. I admire their grace in the face of gravity.
The rest of us are gardeners, beekeepers, river farmers, bonfire farmers and keen observationists.

Always plant hollyhocks, wherever you may be.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Plant fondling

I highly recommend it.

This first year rigorous beast of a catalpa or paulownia
Has made leaves 2 feet across.
Oh, trash tree of highways, dumps and cities-
Of Monticello and such,
I’ll pet you anytime.

and then a sauce

I don’t even bother getting rid of the seeds or skins... just cook tomatoes up fresh with a wee bit of garlic and olive oil, basil if you like, and life is golden.

today

Thursday, August 20, 2009

hidden treasures america's garden book


i have never found a 4-leaf clover
it pisses me off.
i look and i look.
but in books, they come to me.

i found this edition at a free library
at a coffee shop in richmond, va.
thanks!
which makes me think of dan estabrook
who can see a 4-leaf clover from a mile away.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

when your nails match your tomatoes



oh dang! (please click to enlarge for full effect)
my 9 year old student's nail polish
match the tomatoes we grew and prepared for a class salad!!
A+


quickles!

pick and pickle over coffee
good morning!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

squash portrait (with blossom)

admire the squash
its elegance and enthusiasm
its prolificity
makes me squirm
with glee