Late last night I hung out on the back porch.
I lit my candles, and waited for the meteor shower.
It was some much needed meditative time after all the harvesting madness I've been in.
Up to my elbows in it, happy, but crazed too.
Last night was such an interesting night because for some reason, while lighting the candles, I was transported to a time in my life from the past.
When I used to turn on my fountain and light candles in the tiny city house garden.
Such a small garden, but I filled it with plants and vines and fountains and candles.
It was a true sanctuary.
Friends would gather round the candles, and we would sip cocktails and chat.
I hadn't realized I had replicated that here, on the back porch, until last night.
It reminded me of my me-ness.
It felt so amazing, and wonderful.
I forget how therapeutic lighting candles and just being in "your own moment" is.
The loud fountain trickle, music.
Moon.
The scent of the Seda France (Provence scent) candles remind me so much of my past.
I lit them all the time.
The scent took me right back, like saying hello to my old self.
It was a wonderful evening.
The summer days have just started to feel slightly exhausting.
It's a dance between awesomeness of growing things, and dancing too long in the heat.
You know what I mean?
Like, it's wonderful, but a cool rainy day would make you do a back flip.
🙂
The coolness of that night last week, like a far away dream.
There is this space where the monsoon rains drift off without having gifted enough (just 2 rains this summer), and the summer makes the earth here feel scorching and parched and desperate.
I tend garden twice a day without fail, quenching the thirst of my growing garden creatures.
Making sure they are happy and not suffering.
I want them to be delighted to live here.
Early morning and evening.
Still, plants are suffering, the desert dirt cracking with a vast longing for water.
Relentless heat, which doesn't seem to bother butterflies or birds.
All of a sudden I start to feel it too.
The thirst of the desert floor.
Rain would be a dream come true right about now.
Nothing like a little prickly pear lemonade to aid.
I am in the midst of so many fruits and veggies being ripe.
As you know, endless peaches.
I have made tons of freezer jam (unreal good stuff, will share recipe soon), and even frozen oodles of peaches.
Our mediocre sized freezer is stuffed.
Organized, but stuffed full.
Jars and jars of delicious jam.
This makes me giddy happy.
Peach everything.
I have made lots of peach crisps too.
For some reason, I didn't take photos.
And pies as well.
I pride myself on attempting to make pretty peach pies…
(lots of photos from last year here)
Alas, the peaches were so juicy and plump, my pies poured over.
I hope they were still good, as I gifted them.
Then guess what happened night before last?
I noticed that the giant fairytale pumpkin from last year was looking soft around the stem.
So, I stopped everything I was doing to process it.
(like sleeping, because I would do anything for a pumpkin you see)
Almost all the seeds had sprouted.
I chopped it up, and at 11 p.m. there I was roasting pumpkin.
This pumpkin was so huge, I will have pumpkin for ages.
And to think, there are dozens of pumpkins ripening in the garden.
Oh my stars!!
(head spins)
We ate hot roasted pumpkin with butter and brown sugar at midnight.
Then I got it all ready to puree, right now it's still draining (water).
Did I mention I also made blueberry jam?
I have more to say about that in my next post 😉
Nothing like sugar and lemon and blueberries.
Hot sweet concoctions, with berries that burst in your mouth and make your tongue dark purple.
Right now though, I am in the midst of prickly pear season.
I found myself removing the inside of the fruits from their splinter laden skins under twinkly lights.
I shared my recipe last year, here…
Prickly Pear Lemonade Recipe.
It's so yumm.
I watch those prickly pears all summer, waiting for them to turn from green to purple.
We have some that turn coral pink.
Others that turn purple.
I use the purple ones for my lemonade.
If I had an extra handful of days, I would make jam from them too.
Maybe I should push myself a little and pull it off?
I am glad these beauties are good for you, as I have had a bunch to drink.
And, will make more.
They say that colorful fruits and vegetables are extra antioxidant, right?
I use tongs to harvest them.
I just can't imagine wasting anything.
That makes me crazy.
So no matter how hot and tired and insanely sweltering it is, I work hard to make sure no waste of anything happens on my watch.
Taking anything for granted makes nuts.
I am not for that at all in any aspect of life.
Thank you prickly pears.
Pop them in a vat of cold water…
De-skin, and press.
You can see step by step instructions in the link I posted here.
Yumm!
There are also lots of tomatoes and onions coming in.
And ever so many leeks and scallions, ever so many.
I also see the basil getting crazy, so I will begin that harvest.
It freezes beautifully in pesto, or just olive oil and basil in the food processor works good too for freezing.
I pop it in jars, and into the freezer it goes.
Although with 30 jars of jam, and endless packages of frozen peaches, not sure how it will work.
It's a shame that I sold Mister Lovee's giant freezer at a yard sale when I first met him, as it was taking space in the room that would be my studio.
Ooooopsie!!
I could used that sucker now 🙂
Well, it's crescent moon nights, and meteor showers in the now.
Candles.
Waking up at 2:22 a.m. to look up at the sky.
Again at 3:30 a.m.
I guess I see a pattern in myself as I type.
I don't want to miss the meteors or the prickly pears, I don't want to waste peaches or basil.
I want everything to be preserved and shared.
I guess, it's my way of thanking nature.
I am just programmed that way I suppose.
(let's not count my spoiled teenage days in the equation, ha!)
I feel ardently loyal to mother nature.
Doing everything I can to make the most of what is given.
But secretly –
I think I will need a vacation soon.
Just a little tiny one.
Like, 1 sleep in day with lots of rain.
Because harvesting is only 1/4 of what I have to get done around here.
And the only time it starts to feel really tough is when rain leaves us and it is this hot for so many days in a row.
Otherwise, I don't mind at all.
Do you know this kind of heat?
It is zapping.
Wasn't I just saying that I didn't want summer to end?
Oh ya, haha!!
I don't, but a little rain, anyone?
Maybe, if you all put a good word in, the monsoon rains that might be returning will gift me some water from the skies at the end of the week?
I could sure use a day off, to just sleep in.
1 little morning.
Boy could I ever.
🙂
And yet…
In some weird way, I wouldn't change a thing.
Nope, not at all.
Harvesting love abound.
Much Love, V
ps: Have you seen this documentary/movie call My Life as a Turkey?
It's wonderful, you can instant Netflix it too.
pss: The meteors were so delicate last night, falling low to the west.
So glad I got to spy them.
Have you thought of freezing the pesto/oilve-oil-basil in ice cube trays and then transferring them into freezer bags…they tend to fit awkward spaces in the freezer better than jars! Sending rainy thoughts your way from wet old Vermont…
Carroll, oh, I have heard of this!! Thank you for the
reminder!!! Send down the rain pleeeeease!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/13/2013 2:21:05 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I am fairly new here. Do you have posts on how you get your garden to bless you so? Is it secret compost or a certain way you plant things? I had such high hopes for my garden in the spring and it has mostly been a disappoint this year. I live in Southern California zone 8b. Thanks.
Hi Patty, we live in a similiar zone.
No one has ever asked me this question, I don’t think?
But I like it 🙂
How long have you been gardening? Have you had luck with your garden before? And are there specific plants you are having problems with?
I think the main things are understanding your garden, starting early and water water water – to name a few.
Starting early is huge, especially when it comes to pumpkins and tomatoes. Starting tomatoes indoors in late winter makes for amazing harvests all summer. And, I always seed my squash/gourds at the first hint of spring, when it is sure not to freeze again. The earlier the better.
I seed my annuals when the fall and winter rains begin in late November. For example, I will seed my spring 2014 annual seeds in 3 months or so (Nov.2013), when the cold rains begin.
That way at the first touch of spring in the new year, they sprout.
Also, my garden gets shade in some places, full sun in others, I even call one area of my garden Portland, as it is moist and shady – this is where I keep my hydrangeas and camellia – along with some of the roses and dahlias.
I know what each plant likes and needs – I know some plants don’t like too much water, others like a ton of it.
Some like coffee grounds, etc.
We do compost also – I keep a container by the sink that everything but meat, seafood, poultry, and dairy goes into (so basically fruit & veggie cuttings). We throw that into our compost pile, and turn it a few times a week.
I get up early and water every morning, and every evening as the sun goes down.
Once a year I buy organic soil and toss it over my annual seeds, if I don’t have enough compost soil.
And I companion plant a lot, especially in the veggie garden. Planting plants that help each other, together.
I see all my plants like creatures, I understand what they like and don’t like, even the annuals.
I know that zinnias do great here, but need water twice a day when it gets really hot, but they last until Halloween or the first frost. They LOVE early autumn.
You can fertilize your garden if you need to, there are organic options and such. If you want to keep your garden organic.
Over time I have learned what does well in my garden – it has taken years and lots of trial and error.
But roses, bushes and climbing, do wonderful here. As do citrus trees even though we have to cover them in winter.
Dahlias and mexican primrose, cosmos, basil, pumpkins, gourds, wisteria, pittosporum, marigolds of all kinds and hollyhocks are just a handful of plants that do wonderful in my garden.
I have mostly perennials, with a few annuals mixed in. And I seem to understand what everyone needs. Just by getting to know my garden over time.
Would love to hear what your specific garden issues have seemed to be?
Warmest,
Vanessa 😉
What if you considered selling some canned goodies in your shop? Or here on the old blog…I would buy some canned jams and fruits..I would I would. Just a thought!
Have you ever thought of buying a canner? I can green beans. Our canner is as old as our marriage. We got it the summer after we got married. I make some freezer jam and some cooked jams. The cooked jams I process the jars in a water bath canner. I made cucumber relish again this year. It is so good (my brother and sister in law asked for a jar when they were here last week :)) I’m waiting for the beets to get big enough to pull. I’m going to try making pickled beets.
Tomorrow I am making freezer tomato sauce. The rain we’ve had this year has been good for some things and not so good for others.
Just think how good all those things will be this winter.
We had rain last night so I didn’t get to see the meteor showers. I’m hoping to get out tonight and see if we have any sights. I wonder, if you had a choice, would you take the small city garden or the large country garden? I’m in the midst of having to make some big decisions and one of those (with the most weight) is having to give up my garden. Unfortunately, I can’t get out in it as often as I’d like or as much as it needs because of my health. I’m so sad to think I won’t be able to play in it, but then I think I’d have a small place to plant pots of flowers and maybe a tomato or two, I don’t know. Sorry to ramble on here. Please keep sharing your garden love with us, it may be that I end up living vicariously through yours!
love & blessings
~*~
I know, I am soooo excited!!! It is totally worth all the sweat and work, totally 150%.
I was going to properly can, but our kitchen was so hot, and the peaches were coming in soooo fast, I just couldn’t do it all.
So, I then said, freezer jam – perfect.
And we have already defrosted 3 jars, and my oh my is it good. Just sugar and peaches. I had read freezer jam was sublime, so I went for it without knowing it would work so well. I am so amazed and happy with it. It defrosts really fast since the sugar doesn’t make everything get super solid.
I might properly can in winter, all the frozen peaches.
I must have had a thousand peaches on my hands – so I had to work fast.
You have ooooodles of goooodies!! my oh my!!
Laura, that is a good question/thought.
I LOVED my little garden. It was protected in it’s own private courtyard, and I had a ficus tree I loved to pieces. He died when I moved to the country for good – I wished I could have taken him with me. I am sure his heart was broken.
I had big pots with all sorts of flowers and things growing in them.
Both places had their pluses.
Of course, now when I look out my bedroom window and see no people and a pumpkin patch, and a path around the yard, I am happy. But I did love city life too.
The only reason I ended up out here was for L O V E 🙂
But now I LOVE the space too.
Although, I loved the city too, for different reasons.
So, I think both are equally good for different reasons.
So, I choose both 🙂
Love, V
I sat for awhile last night watching, but I missed the meteor shower.
I am glad you are enjoying the bounty of the season and saw the meteors too.
Ms. Vanessa, You are so very sweet.. You bring the bounties of life a little closer to us and I thank you for that. All of your gardens so rich and full of eatable goodies. You bring nature to those of us who have trouble growing anything. Last nights meteor shower could not be seen because of heavy cloud cover. I envy anyone who saw it.
Have a good nite…
I hadnt thought about it, imagine???
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/13/2013 4:11:02 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
ps: I wonder if it would work?? 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/13/2013 4:11:02 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Night before last my son and I went out to watch the meteor shower at 3:20 AM, and we saw around twenty-something sightings buzz across the night sky…probably more, because I saw some he didn’t see and visa versa.
Since we are both stargazers we made ourselves comfy on a blanket and watched the show for well over an hour.
I couldn’t get my husband out of bed 😉
<3333 I love your posts so very much. They inspire me more than you probably could ever know!!!
I love how you live every minute of life.
In all of my foodie/gourmet-loving life, I’ve never had a prickley pear drink, jam or food item. Now I have to taste it…looks amazing!
Our gardening season felt so short, time wise, but it’s just too brutal here (heat, full-sun & humidity, plus a ton of rain.) I can’t get any fruits or veggies to grow. What I need to do soon it till and turn-over the veggie bed and prep it for the “winter” season. Your post has inspired me to do just that.
Sending you rainy dreams and hopefully a reality, too. 🙂
No wonder you are exhausted, you’ve been working so hard. It all sounds amazing though, I love that you don’t want to let anything go to waste.
I’ve not had pumpkin with butter and brown sugar before, sounds gorgeous though, as does freezer jam. Oooo my mouth is watering just at the thought of all that yumminess.
Misha,
My gardening season has felt eternal, but in a good way. With lots of enjoyment. I start in February here, so it’s been a long trip.
Just this morning doing my garden shores I thought…
It’s funny, how mother nature preps you for being okay and accepting autumn on the horizon. My gardening period, with our heat, is from February to the end of October. So I really only have about a 3-4 months break if that. Which I don’t mind – because as I get older, winter isn’t so fun, but sitting in a green garden is 🙂
Find a restaurant that has good reviews for prickly pear lemonade – the thing is, you don’t taste the lemon at all – it just elevates the flavor of the prickly pear, a blance between sweet and tart, but you don’t get any tartness. It’s lovely.
xoxo
Dixie, last night I woke up like clock work at 2:22 – just like the night before.
I went out and spied a few more.
If I had had a platform bed in the driveway, I would have slept there.
😉
Thanks Angie!!
Thank you for reminding me of that, sometimes I forget in the doing. It’s good to remeber that in it, you are living evrey minute….
Thank you Karenleigh!!
Rachel, it’s the best!!! You must try it, make sure to put in a pinch of salt as well – and a little cinnamon if you’d like too 😉
Wow – everything looks so wonderful. Yes, I have garden envy. I’m so glad Patty Marker asked you to share your gardening tips. I was going to say, what with all that harvest, you should invest in a larger freezer. Didn’t know you had one and sold it! Why, you’re stash of delectable food is better than any prepper! You’re all set for the months to come. I really wish I could taste the prickly pear lemonade!
It’s a true Harvest Festival with you sweetheart, such beautiful abundance! The fact that you have peaches has made me especially happy 🙂 I’m glad you got back in touch with your core ‘me-ness’ in your shooting star vigil, how marvellous. Night time adventures like that are vital for the soul aren’t they.
If you get the time I’d love you to read the poem I wrote for my Mermaid post on the Kiki blog, I’ve not written much for years but seem to be finding my voice again now and the burgeoning creativity is so enjoyable.
Oh my goodness, you are making me thirsty and hungry LOL I cannot believe how gifted you are! You are blessed over and over …thanks so much for sharing it with us sweetie!
xoxo,
Deb
I love all the photos and your words. I was harvesting too. But only small amounts. I made strawberry jam from self picked strawberries, cherry jam and cherry compote from the cherry tree in my garden. And I often make chutneys from market vegetables. Last time I tried to make a canned Indian sauce from vegetables with coconut milk and seasoning like curry, ginger, curcuma and so on. It’s really delicious. And if theres no time for cooking it’s quickly warmed up.
Ummmm, Pie? Where’s my pie??
hahaha!
hugs….
So beautiful.
I am going to start a garden in September. I will see how it goes. I practically grew up here, but moved away. Most of the gardening I’ve done was in Northern California. Maybe I should of just signed up to share a plot at the park.
How do you not get the prickers on your hands. The time I harvested the prickly pear, it was a disaster.
SJ, you have to always used a fork and a knife. I set the fruit in
its side, I cut off the bottom, and then slowly unroll the skin, so the fruit
comes out…… Then it should be easy as pie, no thorns at all.
Like this….
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2012/08/prickly-pear-lemonade-treats-for-you.html
There is a video at that link too – which will ensure no pain 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/15/2013 11:46:08 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Awesome post! I don’t know how you find the time to do all of your gardening, AND canning, AND baking. And for you to share all of this loveliness with your blogging friends, and gifting goodies to your neighbors…you really do need a break! Even a break from your furry loves. They will be eagerly awaiting your return probably breaking the gate down to jump all over you! I do hope you take and break and also have more monsoon rain. I mean a REAL break where you go somewhere by yourself. We all need those kind of breaks and most of us don’t get them as often as we need them.
May your dreams come true…
XO
Miss Teresa
Goggle just ate the post I left on your blog…I don’t know where it went to…maybe it will show up at a later date! Ha!
Loved this post and hope you get your break and the rain too!
XO
Miss Teresa
My grandmother and great aunt used to make prickly pear jelly, loved that stuff. I remember they used tongs, and then a little kitchen blow torch to burn off the thorns. I don’t remember the rest of the process. No prickly pears where I live now, but it’s a lovely memory to see your photos. 🙂
I bet they’d fly off the shelves!
Look at all that harvesty goodness! I cannot wait for pumpkins – excited at the thought of it, really. I’ve had to buy peaches and have made one batch of preserves – cannot wait to make peach cobbler. So delicious. Those are some lovely nighttime shots, Miss V. So beautiful!
Awesome! I always dreamed of having my own garden. Congrats and wish you more fruitful years!