Abundant Squash

Well, look it here what I've got growing in the box garden ~

Squash of all kinds seem to be prolific producers, yet this season that's not the case in my yard. Usually abundant, but this time just UNUSUALLY ABUNDANT!!

There's a couple others too ~

Wish that the vines had produced dozens, alas they have not.... I'll make do with the few I've carved and bring them with me to display at Goat Hill.

What I've Come to Find....

Come to find out - I'm not a very good gardener at all! Cause you just wouldn't believe what you find when you pay close attention out there in that big ol' plot.....

I'VE FOUND that Hubby and I can't possibly consume all of the fruit and veggies we grow.

It's a jungle out there...

I'VE FOUND that not only can we not eat all that we grow, but these varmints DO eat more than their fair share ~

monument to the "cute rat" population

Oh yeah, the squirrels know us by name, address and smorgasbord offerings!! They are our "cute rats" in residence! Think we've got a few of the non-fluffy tailed kind around too - what with Henny Penny and the coop next door. Ah well, such is life on the farm in the city! What's a couple more mouths to feed when you've got an ABUNDANCE of produce!

Anyway, back to the matter at hand...

I'VE FOUND many a half devoured fruit, nut, vegetable...

apricot

Every year we say that we'll do something to discourage our "guests".  Real gardeners, orchardists, ranchers know to net their crops. Some old-country growers tie up shiny objects in their trees. That's what our Italian neighbors (Henny Penny owners) swear by. Instead we just check out our tiny crop, shrug our shoulders, and say "Oh well"!... see this is how many apricots we'll eat this year ~




picked unripe to save them from inhuman consumption

I'VE FOUND that I'm sometimes neglectful of my guardian duties. If you've seen my other blog - http://www.abundantpicnic.blogspot.com/, you'll know  what I mean. After I posted Purple Rain I took a shot of the poor Plums' arm ~



ghastly, huh?

I'VE FOUND that I overcrowd, have far too many ideas for the space I have and HATE WEEDING!

I'm not the least bit discouraged though. All one big learning curve, this gardening, and I assume it will be a lifelong education. One of the biggest treasures I cherish is that...

I'VE FOUND - MYSELF! There is joy and satisfaction in touching the earth, planting a seed and watching it grow; in nurturing. The full circle cycle of being nourished from the items I've grown. And, of course of FEEDING the other creatures too!!



** Edited to add ** On July 6th I've linked up to Good Life Wed. on my favorite Aussie blog!!
http://www.abeachcottage.com/2011/07/good-life-weds-the-beach-cottage-four-hundred-dollar-tablecloth.html
Go see it... you'll be awed!  If you're checking in here from A Beach Cottage then be sure to see my other blog also : http://www.abundantpicnic.blogspot.com/. Follow along on my picnic of a life!

Outta My Gord ?

Valley farmers offerings of fresh produce and assorted other items too.....

On my recent trip to Northern California I stopped at a produce stand and found these dried gourds. One of my plans for Goat Hill is to decorate with dried items that give the feel of FALL, as our show is in September. At home I've started some gourd vines of my own. I'm doubtful that they will be ready in time. So, when I found these strangely beautiful prizes I scooped them up!

Pretty cool, huh?... or am I out of my gourd?

A Fashionable Treasure

Quite surprised at this find. It is truly THE COCK OF THE WALK !! You just don't find this sort of thing everyday! You may find one at Farm Chicks. Or you can find one in pieces at specific stores.

Didn't drive far for this one. I found mine in my own back yard - LITERALLY!

FLUFFY

WHITE

COMPLETE WITH A COMB

FASHIONABLE  (everybody who's anybody has one)

Get on with it already..... What is this find you might ask???

Check below for the reveal ~

A pretty hen perched on my backyard fence, and she is not mine. UNFORTUNATELY!
Just what do you think you're doing up there??     bock, bock-bock,bock says she....

I found her (doing the sideways glance that birds have perfected) as I gardened in a much ignored area of our yard. Nice surprise! And she was happy to have my attention. She had much to say and a show to put on!  Check out those gams!

Fashionable in every sense of the word is she...... She strutted the catwalk, shaking her tail feathers! Up and down, and turn around!! Priceless experience.....

A Garden Find

Physically, there wasn't a find of the vintage kind, but a FIND there was, just the same. After a long morning of exercise, as I drove south on the highway, I decided to stop off and treat myself. I was going to walk and inhale, experience and photograph, take-it-in and enjoy the mansion and grounds of Filoli. A historic and impeccable gardeners delight.

There are many more views of this gorgeous place. For some reason they are not downloading...... so maybe some other day I'll share.

A Spring spectacular find!!!

Pitiful

Suffice to say that maintenance and decor at my house - both inside and out - have gone the wayside over the winter. Indoors has changed very little since Christmas! The tree and ornaments have long been shoved back to the garage rafters, yes! However I just haven't had the usual sense of urgency to switch things up; move furniture about, or get outside and start spring planting. Has it been that darn ol' gray weather I've barked about?

Today I took some BEFORE shots of the disaster in the backyard. I will try to remember and post AFTER shots when some of the revamp is done! Here is the sad state of affairs ~



general disarray



fallen gates

paths covered in weeds - can you even tell where to walk?

tarps everywhere...

a dead rose bush... It was so beautiful.. no idea what happened..

vegetable beds that need planting & composting

fallen leaves aplenty

And, in keeping with my blogs name and a somewhat common way of life around here - A NEW FIND!
Two raised beds that I scoped on a walk. They were about to be thrown out. They were FREE, and better yet the guy tossing 'em put them into the car for me!  SCORE !!




raised beds to place


Another spot to read my gardening (and other) exploits!
http://abundantpicnic.blogspot.com/2011/04/digging-this.html