well.
i guess the universe told ME. here i was complaining for weeks about too much to do and not enough time. need to spend more time knitting, need to work, need to sleep—yadda-yadda-yadda.
i don’t think i said anything about needing to come down with the PLAGUE.
(hence the funeral flowers that open the post)
and yet, that’s just what happened. a little unexpected gift. something to make time pass . . . and then . . . not pass. something to make all other commitments and deadlines disappear. all that seemed important a couple of days ago just gets de-prioritized like magic. i did NOT do any knitting (heck, i did not even sit up for 24 hours).
i have to interject here that i rarely get ill. it is so rare, in fact, that i never recognize it at first. the last time i had anything flu-like was 1999. i’ve had a cold maybe once in the last 15 years. and good thing, too cuz now i remember how much it stinks to be sick. ugh.
so here i am a couple of days later “feeling better” (better than the depths of hell) and trying to figure out where the heck i was. still feeling quite foggy and out of sorts doesn’t help my organizational skills at all. i know i am WAY behind on work, cuz i was already behind three days ago.
sometime in the hours just before i knew my body was about to become a volcano, i finished the bee shawl pattern, and sent the last bits off to vanessa and lilith, our dear wonder knitters. they are doing an incredible job with it. so far, only some typos have popped up, and not too many; no major pattern adjustments have been needed. maybe they will post pictures soon; they are both using a different colorway than i did—they chose to go with the darker honey-gold color. and lilith is using mini maiden for hers, so i am VERY curious . . . (nudge) can’t WAIT to see pix, you guys.
a few days ago i was out in the garden trying to get some good shots to show you and this one seems oddly prescient of how i feel right now
you might think, what the heck was she attempting to do?
here’s what i was trying to capture
they were everywhere in the canteloupe patch, just doing their thing—pollinating. and in the process of trying to snap pix of them, i came across this
david has constantly despaired of ever finding good fruit in ohio—it’s just not like when we lived in NYC, right next door to NJ; there are no little greengrocers on every block, hand-choosing the most delectable produce, and putting some aside in a brown bag, because they know you will be by on the way home from work and love them twice over for their thoughtfulness (i swear, this is true, at least in my old neighborhoods).
so, he set out to grow some of his own. i was a little leery of being able to grow nice melons, but there you have it. he was right. this morning, that same one looks like this
even the leaves and vines give me pause
i see trailing lace in everything out there, i think . . .
the garden seems to flourish no matter what is happening inside the house (we can thank our lovely bees for this). let me give you a quick tour (i can’t help it, i’m proud):
these are coming on strong and i am hopeful for a bumper crop. last year we had lots, but we almost ran out come spring—i had to start rationing what we had left in the freezer.
we also have lots of these coming in, which is good, since i enjoyed the dried mini tomatoes so much last year, and found great uses for them all winter, too.
i only planted three hills of squash, but i am getting a little afraid if what i am seeing out there
fortunately, we got this seed mix that produces several varieties from the same hill, so it’s not all one kind
i dunno what that one is, but i’ll eat it (and i’m sure within the hour, one of you will tell me). ok, i can’t help it—on more squash picture, because it is so cool
and don’t think that the peppers are slouching either
the hot pepper plants that my friend kris gave me are going to town too
the only thing that hasn’t got fruit yet are the eggplants, but they are naturally slower—and they ARE covered with gorgeous flowers.
even the elusive bright lights chard is giving a photo opp today
even after reseeding, this variety really isn’t giving the plentiful crop of the other types, but i’m in love with it. each plant has a different coloration—some purplish, some red-and-green, some yellow. someday, i will triumph over this one, and grow a lush crop (of course by then, we may be so sick of chard that it will not be appreciated, but i’ll try).
ok, now, it’s time i got to work—more tomorrow and there will be knitting, i promise.
68 thoughts on “coming up for air”
Pattypan squash (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattypan_squash). That’s what you’ve got there. The garden looks fantastic. Isn’t it nice that mother nature keeps working even when we can’t?
Oh Anne, I hope you feel better soon. All of the creative energy invested in creating the Bee Shawl, not to mention many late night knitting sessions, probably wore down your poor little body. The garden pictures are stunning. Having just moved to a new house we do not have our garden established yet (just some strawberries, onions and one measly zucchinni) so it’s wonderful to see pictures from someone else. Hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend.
Beautiful garden. The mystery squash is called a patty pan. Kind of bland for my taste, but then I prefer the more robust winter squashes anyway. So sorry you have been ill, but if you can photograph garden vegetables–food–you must be well on the way back. Can’t help but notice that all those lovely squash pictures are in yellows and greens, like the bee shawl… Lucky test knitters! My fingers are itching for the pattern!
Hope you’re feeling right as rain (without the rain) soon! I’m seein’ a lot of things in that beautiful garden, that might help help along in getting better: fresh peppers, fresh fruit – you’ve got a whole pharmacy right there! Take care…looking forward to that pattern!!!
India beat me to the “name that squash” finish line – but I love patty pans barely steamed with a little olive oil, salt and fresh ground pepper.
Sorry you’ve been sick! Take it easy for a couple of days. Hint, major sitting, knitting time. 🙂
Squash blossoms are quite tasty, you might try eating some since you have an abundance.
Your garden looks wonderful! We were gone for a long weekend, and our garden staged a revolt. I think I need to get out there this weekend to try to bring the bean rebellion of 2007 under control 🙂
Love the garden pictures, that whole beauty all around us, just waiting to be noticed, idea. BEE-YOO-TEE-FUL.
Where do you find the time???
Hope you feel better soon. Being sick stinks, but it sure helps you appreciate health, doesn’t it?
Patty pan is my Favorite! It’s ready to pick when white. My favorite recipe: wash, cut into chunks (don’t have to peel unless hard), mix with an egg, parmesan, cracker crumbs. bake in pammed pie pan at 350 till just starting to brown. you can pre-cook squash for a few mintes and mash it all together, if you wish. this is one of those recipes that you can add all kinds of stuff to, depending on your mood. (like butter, cinnamon, or onion or chives or your choice!)
Look at all those GORGEOUS pix (page numbers, hint hint)!! Feel better! Lots of tea, of course, and Theraflu! Love it.
You and David are amazing gardeners! Your produce is perfect and looks even better than what we find every week at a great farmers’ market in El Cerrito. One reason why I’d hate to leave California is the availability of fresh produce and seafood. Today, I marvel at memories of what we used to eat, not knowing what fresh tasted like, when we lived in the Midwest. Glad you’re feeling better.
Sorry to hear you got felled by the flu or some such bug, but glad you’re on the mend. The garden looks so gorgeous!
Anne, sorry you aren’t feeling well, I hope you’re back to normal soon! It’s no fun being sick, especially during the warmer months.
The garden is coming along beautifully, I’m very jealous of all your tantalizing veggies!
So sorry you got sick. I hope you’re all better soon. Lovely garden pics!
Wow, Anne, NICE MELONS!
(Sorry, I am apparently your only puerile reader.)
All those veggies will get you back on track. Thank you for giving me a vicarious garden thrill–I have a blue-black thumb–so to see someone have success is always exciting.
Sorry to hear of your illness. I just hate being sick, too, but doesn’t everybody? Fabulous garden shots. Only you could make your vegetable garden into art. Sending good thoughts for your recovery. A small suggestion — sleep a little extra for the next few days. =)
oh my. I am quite jealous of your garden. I must look away…
Glad you are feeling better and I hope much, much better by the time you read this.
So sorry to hear you have been ill. I have been a nurse for many years and the “bugs” seem to be getting worse every season.
Feel better soon!
Oh no! I hope you have (had) a speedy recovery! That is just awful, and especially at this time of year when it’s so warm and sunny outside. Your plants look wonderful!
The answer to too many squish is to pluck them smaller; or pick the blossoms and stuff the blossoms with something tasty.
Hope you continue your recovery. Can you tell me more about the dried mini-tomatoes or point me to an archived post? I have a dozen grape tomato plants in the garden – plus another 20 or so regular tomatoes if the deer leave them alone for a bit.
Get well soon, Anne!
Your garden is beautiful and looks so healthy and vibrant. Enjoy!
BTW, what type of camera do you use? Your pictures are always superb!
I have recently got over a plague myself, so I feel for you. Unfortunately, I’m at a festival now, so everything is go-go-go and I’m not healing as fast as I could if I could afford to spend some quality couch time. But as I spent over a week on the couch healing in the first place, so maybe I should just be grateful that I’m able to live again.
Get well soon. I’m sure the wonderfully healthy produce will help!
Glad to hear you are feeling better!
Your garden looks amazing!! Must be great to grow your own food – and go “foodshopping” in your own back yard. Seriously!
I’m glad you’re feeling (somewhat) better. Your garden is exquisite. I have tomatoes, squash, strawberries, carrots, cucumbers, and snap peas, but my garden is too small for much else. Your melons are especially lovely.
Now I know why you have been so quiet the last few days ! It just awful being ill, just like you I haven’t been ill in years ( better knock on wood now ) and I do hope you feel better soon !
Just take it easy !
Garden looks great! I miss fresh produce from the garden, I grew up with it. I’ve been sick too, it is awful. Hope you are completly recoverd.
I hope you are feeling better. Good vibes are sent your way. Take care of yourself!
Thanks for the pictures of your garden. I don’t have what it takes to grow one, but having a peek at yours makes me wish I did…
If you think you might have too many squash you could eat some of them as blossoms. Stuff them with ricotta, or some mexican cheese, dip in batter and fry. YUMMO.
Welcome back, and thanks for the tour. Your gardens are beautiful, and I’m glad you are feeling good enough to enjoy them again.
If you think you might have too many squash you could eat some of them as blossoms. Stuff them with ricotta, or some mexican cheese, dip in batter and fry. YUMMO.
Glad you’re feeling better! Your garden is so beautiful. I love fresh fruits and veggies from the garden, but don’t have much luck growing. We support one of our local farms by buying a share of theirs, so we still get beautiful food every week. Can’t wait to see the knitting tomorrow!
Oh, my! I’m so sorry you’ve been sick. My best friend in Indiana had to take all of her kids to the doctor witht he stomach flu. Her doctor said it’s going through the area. No one breathe!!!
What delicious photos! Your garden must be just amazing.
I suddenly have a visual of you wrapped in a comforting old robe, with a red nose, coughing periodically, traipsing around your garden with a Kleenex in one hand and a camera in the other. What a picture that would make!
Hope you’re feeling in the pink again very soon!
Dear Anne: I hope that you are now well on the road to recovery. Be careful not to overdo things as you start to feel better. You don’t want a relapse. The garden pictures you have posted are beautiful. I am not sure which I like more…your beautiful patterns or your outstanding photographs.
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been sick 🙁 I hope you feel better, being sick when you usually never are must’ve been really hard for you. I love your garden, it looks like you’ll be enjoying some great yummy goodness soon :-)!!
Yes, it is good to know you are feeling better. And your photography skills are pretty great, too!
When my oldest son was in grade school, we planted some muskmelon in our large Iowa garden. He was so excited that we might get fruit. He watered them faithfully every day. And we had a beautiful bumper crop of huge, luscious melons. Being an enterprising child, he sold some to the neighbors. One of them bought quite a few and gave him a recipe for freezing cut up melon which was quite delicious the following winter!
Do get perfectly well soon. And enjoy all the fruits and vegetables of your labour – they look scrumptious.
Well……we could set out in the Chevy with two large squirt bottles of antibiotics.
I fear, though, that your illness is most likely viral and we’d be slaughtering innocent bacteria.
I’ll keep working on the plan while you get better.
All that healthy food in the garden should help you feel better. Take care, friend!
I hope you feel better in time to enjoy your weekend! Your veggies look amazing as do your melons! Wait, that didn’t sound right. Anyway, have a great weekend and get well soon, I’ve been missing your blog posts 🙂
What a bummer that you got sick! I’m glad you are feeling better, at least.
I hope that you feel better soon. Being sick does suck.
Your garden is beautiful. I can’t name the squash, but I can see it in my head.
What part of Ohio are you in? I was born and raised in Ohio, now I live across the boarder in Indiana. I can’t believe that there aren’t any local farmer’s markets or little stands by you. That is quite sad.
have you tried out the saturday morning farmer’s market downtown? (http://cantonfarmersmarket.com/) it wouldn’t have the personal touch of a neighborhood greengrocer, but we’ve gotten some pretty good stuff (we’ve also had some so-so; no guarantees.) you have to go pretty early, or the best produce sells out.
I’m sorry that you have been feeling under the weather…no fun for sure. Your garden is absolutely flourishing though!! Our growing season isn’t long enough for melons, but it looks like yours are doing great!
Feel better soon, dear Anne. Your vegetables look amazing!
You’ve been working too hard! That’s my entirely uninformed, non-professional opinion. 😉
I’m glad you’re back! And will the next knitspot production be a squash blossom shawl, I wonder?…
p.s. Brilliant move getting Hurricane Vanessa to test-knit. 😉
Comments are closed.