Coming Home

I still need to update here about the amazing trip Valerie & I had to the Black Sheep Gathering last week. But for now I feel like I came home to a whole new back yard.

First, our patio and pergola are complete. Yay! It's just begging for patio furniture and some grapevines and other landscaping.

I was showing off our new set up to the neighbor yesterday when we meandered into the garden to find several overripe cucumbers. Honestly! I checked a week ago and there were two little ones. Now there are a ton that will have to go to the chickens!



Here's a view of the East garden this year. It is nightshade central. We have tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplants. Special guests include basil, lettuce, chamomile, coriander, hibiscus, volunteer squash, pole beans and sun flowers and amaranth.


Our west garden has some butternut squash, pumpkins, melons and beans. Oh, also some chives, volunteer potatoes and mums. I have a potential plan to till this in and plant pasture for a couple of Shetland sheep. Still thinking about that. Darn cute, they are!!


I harvested some goodies from the yard today. Looks like we'll be having stuffed zucchini, pickles and cucumber salad this week. I think maybe some grilled eggplant too!


I decided that while I was hanging laundry and messing with the garden that it was time for some yard appreciation. Here is my plant barn with a butterfly bush in the foreground. I aspire to paint the chicken house theses colors too someday.


Our red flame grapes are busting out. I sneaked a taste this morning. They are crisp and tart but feel like they will sweeten up beautifully. This gives me hope for my pergola plans!


My sunnies!!!


Artichokes are delicious and beautiful.


I'm lacto-fermenting these pickles. Cukes, garlic, dill, coriander and grape leaves from the yard. Everything else came from the store. But, hey, it's not like we live in the spice islands. We're doing pretty good considering!



We also have ripe donut peaches!!! These guys are amazing and will all be eaten within days,


And this little plumb was my morning snack. I feel so lucky. It was insanely perfect just off the tree.


Moving to this house has provided so many great experiences and a ton of yard food in addition to great neighborhood kids. It's not perfect and I'm no Martha Stewart ... But it is uniquely Rancho Wilhelm and a happy place at that.

Location:The. Back Yard