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January 20, 2011

At Hand

Last night, a friend stopped by unexpectedly while we were cooking dinner. He was able to stay and eat with us, and I was reminded how much I enjoy my backyard vegetable garden.

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While we were showing our friend around the yard, the spinach looked so perfect, I decided we needed to add a salad to the menu. The ingredients were simple, just what I had on hand: feta cheese, 5 cherry tomatoes, 4 fancy olives and onion. It was delicious.

Winter Gardens
Growing up, my dad had vegetable gardens at every house we lived at, but picking produce was a little bit of a chore, a dedicated activity.

Unlike our current garden, which is seven steps from the back door, my childhood gardens were 100 or more feet away. That doesn't sound far, and it wasn't. But when produce is right at your hands, when you see it every time you walk outside, it's so much easier to incorporate it into your everyday meals. There's no need to get a pail and flashlight when you're cooking at dusk. The porch light shines enough light to see what you're doing, and if you can't hold all the veggies in your hands, it's only a few steps from the kitchen back to the beds for more.

As I grow as a gardener, I'm starting to wish I had a little bit more space, but honestly, what I have now is just right.

4 comments:

  1. Your spinach does look perfect! I too find myself wishing for more space but honestly, I think I could use the space I have more efficiently...maybe 2012's project?!

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  2. Cat I agree. If I plan a little better and avoid planting a whole six packs of transplants just because they came in a pack (not because I need six cabbages), I'll have more than enough space.

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  3. I love your blog! Just stumbled across it. My back yard is in need of help. Hopefully I can pick up some ideas from you. Great job Abbey! - Ellen

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  4. Thanks Ellen. I've been blogging about my yard for a little less than a year and I've really enjoyed it. Austin has an active garden/landscape blog community and since San Antonio's growing conditions are so similar, I get a lot of good information by following their adventures online. A few of the blogs I enjoy the most are in my blog roll, and I just added your blog. I could always use easy veggie recipes.
    I'm curious to know exactly what landed you on my page. I'm guessing it was some sort of a referral link since I been very disappointed at my SEO results, yet I haven't cared enough to investigate and improve them.
    I'm glad to have you as a follower.

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