Goodies From The Garden

Even though the garden had a late start, we are reaping the rewards. I absolutely love picking the garden goodies. Here is part of a recent haul:

I have frozen 12-15 quarts of Enterprise hybrid squash, a few quarts of Taxi yellow tomatoes and a quart or 2 of Starship patty pan squash. I am in the process of canning the combo of Blue Lake and Kentucky Blue green beans. The Soleil wax beans are still growing and maturing.

The Celebrity tomato bushes are loaded, as are the Health Kicks and Big Beef. As soon as the Celebs mature, the canning of tomatoes, sauce and juice will begin.

In spite of the ever-present weed population, it is a satisfying feeling to walk into the garden. It was so hot when the seedlings were planted, I wasn't sure we would get much of anything in the way of a harvest. Now that the veggies are coming in, I'm hoping that the 'season' doesn't run out on us before everything is done!

Returning to the Chattanooga Market

We we will be back to the Chattanooga Market tomorrow (8/31/08). I've been working on some new bath brew combinations to fill out the existing selections. Here are a few of the existing selections:


(left to right - Bad Day Bath Brew, Breathe Bath Brew, Lemon & Green Tea Bath Brew)




If you want to see the rest of the line up and the new blends, come to the Chattanooga Market (http://www.chattanoogamarket.com/) from 12 to 5 on Sundays!!

What's Growing On

Even with a late start, the garden is filling out and providing a bountiful harvest. The recent rainy stretch followed by intense heat also produced a bumper crop of weeds. I've managed to whip the weeds back to a manageable level and the garden looks like a garden again - instead of a jungle. The Kentucky Blue beans have climbed their strings and are waving over the tops of the towers like some kind of botanical Medusa.
The Soleil wax beans weren't climbing their strings. I guess the term 'upright' in the seed description doesn't necessarily mean pole bean. It makes for a unique sight: bush beans in a circle at the bottom of a bean tower of empty strings. Does that make them marionette beans?





Adding to the fun is the spaghetti squash. So far, it has managed to run two rows in each direction, into the field, and has taken over 2 tomato cages. Looks like there will be plenty of spaghetti squash for anyone who wants it! Luckily, I planted a variety called Small Wonder, so each one only gets the size of a cantaloupe. Harvesting it will be like an Easter egg hunt - that will be the fun part - where will the next one be found???

Tell Me The Truth...

Is my garden mooning me??

Lovin' The Good Life

My friend Cindy swears she is going to turn my name into the program The Good Life. If you haven't seen it on the Fine Living channel, it features people who have chucked their work-a-day life to pursue their dream(s). It appears to me that most of these folks have a fair amount of disposable income. I used to have a fair amount of disposable income when I was working the 60 hour Corporate week as a Quality Systems manager. Of course, I had all the associated stress, increasing disgust and general unhappiness that went along with it. I really wanted to make the leap of faith into something I loved, but it took a while to muster the courage. I reached the end of my proverbial rope on 12/21/07 and with my husband's blessings, my last Corporate work day was 1/8/08. I left on my own terms and I haven't looked back. I've had offers to go back as a consultant, which I have politely declined. I figure if they didn't listen to my wisdom for 32 years, why would they start now? As I told someone not long ago, I'd eat dirt and chase it with rainwater before I would go back to that kind of life. We've never been extravagant in our lifestyle and have planned for retirement. Life is way to short, people. Start doing something you love, even if it's just a hobby.

One thing that has amazed me is how very busy I've been living the Good Life. How on earth did I have time to 'work'? Of course I am now embroiled in the greenhouse business daily and Possum Creek Herb Farm is in its 3rd season at the Chattanooga Market. This has been a very good year for us at the Market, as we have topped 2007 sales every Sunday thus far. Now for a plug: In case you've never visited the Chattanooga Market, it is open every Sunday from the end of April until the first week in December at the First Tennessee Pavillion. You can go to http://www.chattanoogamarket.com/ for more info and directions should you be visiting or passing through our fair city. Mid-summer is a great time at the Market. Fresh produce from local farmers abounds. Much of the produce is grown organically. There are also a variety of crafts, baked goods, bath and body products and food vendors. On stage you will find established and up and coming music artists throughout the day. Whether you just breeze through or come to spend the day, the Chattanooga Market is a great place to visit.