A night in the garden

After giving a good feeding to the blossoming plants with Neptune's Harvest, I lit the candles in the garden. I started a small fire in the outdoor pit, and sat back to enjoy our labors. I took a deep breath and enjoyed the approaching dusk. The candles twinkled in the trees, the birds made their way back to their nests. The creeping cats began their nightly wanderings. The neighborhood took on it's evening shift, hushed tones drifted from the darkening houses. Night overcame us. The deep violet night embraced us with cool arms, I held the hand of my love and tried to remember this feeling. I tried to forget the heaviness of my heart, the loss of my students and friends. As I write, a cool breeze just kissed my face. Before my children's paternal grandfather crossed the threshold, I asked him to let us agree on a sign. A way to be sure I didn't miss his help. We decided on a light breeze, a kiss of wind. As I typed my sadness, a sweet breeze entered the open window. A smile crept across my lips, a silent song rang in my heart. A night in the garden is as helpful as a day in the garden...

Mother's Day in the garden

We spread a sweet table under the shade of the Mulberry Tree. A feast was prepared, a feast fit for a table of mothers. Women who love children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters, mothers, and puppies all gathered.

The table was set with vintage linens. Recycled bottles held small bouquets of mint, jasmine, purple pansies and miniature red roses from the garden. A fire roared to ward off the chill of the morning.

The feast was served. Creme Brulee French Toast, Apple Smoked Bacon, Scrambled Eggs with Swiss Chard, Dill, Oregano, Thyme and Parmesan Cheese; the eggs were from my sister's chicken ranch and all but the cheese was from the garden. Enamel bowls were piled high with blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries and strawberries with fresh mint. There was also a bowl of Mulberries, gathered earlier in the morning. To top the berries, a bowl of Creme Fraiche flavored with Vanilla Beans, Coconut and Organic Agave Nectar was set upon the table. Fresh Melon from the Farmer's Market was sliced and topped with Raw Almonds.  There were fresh biscuits piled high in a vintage cast iron bundt pan, served with Strawberry-Rhubarb jam and organic butter. Small pitchers were filled with fresh Mulberry Syrup and Maple Syrup. There was organic cream and raw honey to sweeten the Fresh Mint Tea and Creamy Caramel Rooibos. An old Fiesta Ware pitcher, thrifted at a HALF OFF sale at the local thrift store(love half off sales) held Sweet Mango Lassi made with Organic Yogurt, Organic Turbinado Sugar and Rose Water. I also whipped up a small batch of Haupia for my mother and aunty as a reminder of their days as girls, growing up in Hawaii. There was a pitcher of fresh mint water and green bottles of San Pellegrino dotted the table.

The morning was cool, but my heart was filled to be surrounded by women I love, and who love me. The sun began to peak out as the meal winded down, our bellies satisfied. The garden danced in the background, happy to be part of the celebration. As people finished eating, we switched seats, here and there, to visit with those across the table. My mother had to be shooed out of the kitchen several times by my daughter. When we finally made it into the house when the sun grew too strong, the kitchen had been cleaned by my love. 

A Happy Mother's Day it was, surrounded by happy hearts that have grown from the love and loving of children and family. May the love of this day steel your souls in the arduous day by day happenings, the ones that challenge us and scare us, that fill our hearts so, that we feel they may burst. 

I Made A Skirt

I have had this bit of vintage fabric for some time. I have been musing and dreaming of a new incarnation. While reading this post from SouleMama, I realized I could whip a skirt in just an hour. It took 45 minutes. It has that homemade look, but it is lovely and I like it! I just laid down a skirt I like and cut around it. Everything came from the thrift store, eyelet, lace and fabric. 

Mulberry Tree

I saved this Mulberry tree. It hangs over from our neighbor's yard, it has large light green leaves and airy branches. In early spring, new red berries hang from it's new leaves. Now, each day, large purple mulberries drop to the ground all day long.

The neighbors put in a new concrete driveway and were afraid the berries would discolor their $20,000 driveway. I was aghast. "You can't tear down the Mulberry Tree. Mulberry Trees are sacred!" I felt like the Lorax, and not for the first time in my life. Resident tree hugger at your service. I continued, "Did you know that in Ancient China, you could be put TO DEATH for attempting to sneak a Mulberry tree out of the country? So dear was the silk trade." I prayed to the tree's being, yes, yes I did. I prayed. The neighbors left the tree. Hallelujah! 

So now each morning I collect the precious fruit. I have stretched out a blanket to collect the fruit. I have my children bend down and collect them, as my back is still unable to do that kind of work. I just have a deeper appreciation for these berries this year. In years past, we would eat one now and then, or pick a few off the branches or from the ground. However, in celebration of the tree's life, we are in full Mulberry Harvest. We try to get every last juicy berry from shrub and garden bed.

This morning, the wild parrots that fill our skies, were chatting happily and feasting mightily on the berries hanging from the highest branches. Thank you dear birds, for helping with the harvest. Thank you for attracting the neighborhood cats, for they keep the rodents at bay.

I plan on making something marvelous for Mother's Day. My mother and her sister will be here, as well as my eldest sister and a few friends. We will set an elegant table in the garden, with fresh mint tea, creme brulee french toast, fruit and something with Mulberries. Blessings on your day!

Basil Buddha

I found this lovely Buddha at a store in Kailua named Bali Boo. My cousin purchased a beautiful stone mermaid fountain she calls "Esmeralda." I found this sweet Buddha upon a dusty shelf. I had to bring him home, he was even half off! 

I placed him in the basil pot and since then, have been lovingly referring to him as Basil Buddha. He meditates in quiet fashion, watching over the garden, a peaceful look upon his face. Now, I am not sure if there truly is an incarnation of the Buddha that involves basil, but there is one here, in this garden.

The other day I walked outside to find this precious sight. Three lady bugs atop Basil Buddha's topknot. So sweet. The lady bugs have since flown away, hopefully feasting on aphids upon one of the tomato plants! Yet, Basil Buddha remains, meditating deeply on the glories of growing one's own food and living for the simple pleasures of life. Watching the clothes blow upon the line, listening to the radish plump deep in the soil and tending the growing basil, thank you, Basil Buddha, for all you do.

Mint Tea

The mint patch is exploding! There is spearmint, peppermint, pineapple mint and chocolate mint. We have been enjoying fresh mint tea every day.

I just grab a handful of assorted mint from the patch, four or five large sprigs. I wash them outside so any critters stay outside. I tie the sprigs together with a bit of twine and hang them in a pitcher. I pour boiling water over the mint and let steep for a long while. While the water is still hot, I mix in a bit of raw honey. You could skip this step, but raw honey has many healing properties and it gives the tea a full taste.

We drink it iced, as it has been warm here in Southern California. It is also great hot. I usually take the pitcher outside so I can refill my glass as I enjoy the garden. Try it, it soothes the tummy and tastes delicious! Blessing on your day...

Ahh...

I ate our first raspberry this morning. It was sweet and delicious. I felt guilty not sharing it with the family, but it was one raspberry, just one. If I left it, a bird would have eaten it. Not that I begrudge the birds a bit of the garden. I always plant enough for them AND for us. But this little berry, it was so lovely hiding behind the now wild, green leaves.

My youngest is suffering from a terrible case of tonsillitis. I brewed a strong tea from oregano leaves from the herb garden. He was a trooper. It is tough stuff. Oregano is a great antiseptic and can knock nasty bacteria right out of you. He was able to take it by the spoonful, I just kept telling him to look at it as medicine, not tea. He is so miserable, he conceded. I love that we have these plants at the ready, that we trust them and acknowledge their power. I will take him to the doctor, just to be sure. However, we will continue with the oregano and echinacea tea and sea salt and sage gargle. In the meantime, I feel so lucky to be able to be caring for my boy-man. He will be 16 soon. He is over 6 feet and a tangle of arms, legs and bony knees and elbows. It is nice to be needed. 

The garden is watered, new seedlings are planted in the beds, laundry is hanging to dry on the line, and my boy is soundly sleeping, resting, healing. Blessings on your day!