I cannot believe it’s been over a month since the last post!  Things got a little busy around here… plants needed to be planted, walls needed to be painted, an injured dog needed tending (Jasper dislocated his hip – he is fine now), and…. there was asparagus.  I have written about this treasure of Spring a few times, but it is one of the biggest reasons I have not been posting any recipes.  We (mostly me) have been eating it constantly!  There was halibut with asparagus, salmon with asparagus, lamb chops with asparagus, steak with asparagus, poached eggs with asparagus, asparagus risotto and asparagus quiche.   Would you really have come back if I posted 20 meals in a row featuring asparagus?  Well, some of you would, but not all!

And….there was the garden.  While soil prep and weeding do not create many photo ops or stories to tell, they are necessary steps for success.  Since our weather has been very mild and the sun and rain are working in concert, I took a chance and planted things a little early.   The zucchini and the basil may be premature, but they are easily replaced if the weather should turn!  Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries all look like we will have bumper crops this year!

I found good size tomato plant starts in all my favorite varieties.  Green Zebra, Black Prince, Juan Flamme, San Marzano, Sungold, and Early Girl.  I also planted peppers, cucumbers and summer squash.   There are beans, and peas and fennel, Brussels sprouts, garlic, basil, bok choy, radishes and lettuce.   I cannot wait to create  meals from the garden.

Our vegetable garden nourishes our bodies…..while our back yard garden nourishes our soul.  I am so pleased with the flowers this year.  The consistent and proportional rain and sun have created a beautiful landscape.  I hope you all get out there and plant something!   As Audrey Hepburn once said:

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”