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Hopefully, summer will soon be here, and the thought of sunshine, gardens, and flowers is on my mind. I received some sunflower seeds from a dear friend, so I have them started in the window. I swear they grow at least an inch a day. By the end of summer, these will be 20 feet tall or more. I’ve decided to convert my raised bed gardens to cut flowers this season as I can get all the fresh produce, I need from the farmers market or swappers meet on Saturdays. We’re so lucky to have these shopping options in our area.
I recently hosted a week-long visit with my mom’s sisters and cousins. We put a tiny vase of flowers in every room and had bouquets in the living room and dining room. You would think these would have brought in a fresh smell to ward off our dusty winter, but these flowers had no scent. Pretty, bright colors but no bouquet to the bouquets. That’s when I decided I needed more flowers in my life. I baked a triple berry and cherry crumble and sketched out a plan. For some, I will start with seeds; for others, I will buy perennials to bloom before the seeds can sprout. I’ve also added some herbs, as the best bouquets from Fairhaven Farm sometimes come with a sprig of basil to mix with the floral scents. Also good in a salad, so dual duty.
My mom, aunts, and cousins enjoy spending time together. We play cards and games, watch crime shows, and do art projects. We all went to the Kimball library to make clay bird nests and birds that would be fired in a kiln and returned to us forever, showing our talents or lack thereof. In my mind, art isn’t about who does it best. It’s the journey, not the destination. Sometimes I get lucky and make something pretty; other times, it’s not fit for the trash bin. But I never enjoy myself more than when I get a chance to be creative and spend time with friends.
Our creativity also extends to food—good food with great taste. I don’t eat mindlessly. I want a pop of flavor or a crunch. It’s as much about texture and salty sweetness as it is about protein and nutrition. Here is a medley of tried-and-true recipes from last week. I hope you enjoy them. Let you be the reason somebody smiles today! Sandy
“She sprouted love like flowers, grew a garden in her mind, and even on the darkest days, the sun still shined from her smile.” ~ Erin Hanson
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