My Garden - It's Complicated part 2

So here we are part 2..  My husband was nice enough to clear  a little space for me in the back of our garden.  (Note the ugly wall)  We really need some help out here but that is for another series of posts.  I decided to use this space between the apple tree and the white birch simply because it gets some shade in the afternoon.  I know that veggies are supposed to get full sun but in the summer here it gets so hot in the afternoon I am afraid that things would burn up.  So now that I have a spot I must begin to build my little raised planter.


Supplies:

• I bought the wood at Home Depot and had them cut it in the store for me so I was ready to go when I got back.
• Weed blocker
• Stakes
• Organic Soil
• News paper (had to borrow this - we don't get the paper)
• Nails/Hammer or screws/drill

So I put this thing together by laying out the weed blocker first and then built it on top of that.  I opted for the hammer and nail approach, because my hands are not strong enough to get the screws in at that angle.


 I put in the stakes and the news paper (I am not sure of the newspapers purpose but that is what I was told to do).  The bed is only 6" high so I am not planting a lot of carrots in there but this was to see if I could even grow anything.  Next to fill this baby with dirt.  I bought organic soil (5-6 bags),  a batch of organic compost from my worm composter and a bag of organic potting soil.

Now you are ready to plant your goodies..



This was hard for me.  I really had to think of what my family would actually eat and I wanted it to look pretty.  I know it is a little box jammed up against the wall in the back of my garden but I imagined so much more you know.  A beautiful raised bed potager garden.. with flowers veggies and herbs.. So onto what we actually planted.

• Strawberries
• basil
• marigolds 
• iceland poppies
• brocoli
• onions
• artichoks
• thyme
• nasturtiums 
• green beans
• various lettuces from seed

Down the way a bit we also planted additional strawberries under our fruit trees and blueberry bushes.  



So we are hopeful to have a lot of wonderful meals with fresh food from our new garden.  It has been a while and I will give you updates periodically on how we are doing.  I would love to hear what you are growing...???

Organic linen bedding on My Sparrow

I am so excited to share our new line of organic linen bedding! Available in flax colored linen. It is so soft and wonderful!! Please come by and take a look see...

Le Pain Quotidien...

So I discovered this little gem on my first visit to Paris while my friend was living in bliss in the city. It was our first lunch stop on that faithful trip.. Mint Tea and a Grilled Chicken & Smoked Mozzarella with arugula & basil pesto Tartine- the perfect meal after a cramped flight from California to Paris. I can just picture it now sitting at their big communal pine tables listening to the women speak French and watching their little and big dogs sit quietly under the table while they ate. Since that trip I have been back to Paris twice and eaten here countless times including picking up their amazing Pain au Chocolat for a quick snack or breakfast. We have also visited locations in New York, London and Los Angeles- always the same wonderful Organic food and amazing baked goodies! So that is why I wanted to share this little gem with you- and of course my other favorite thing about it is their organic blueberry jam- ummmm! I have just finished my last jar that we brought back from London- so sad. :(

Visit their website here to see if there is a location near you or somewhere that you are going. A definite must for at least lunch or breakfast! And don't forget to bring home some of their jam and a baguette to eat it with! Enjoy!

Images from The Washington post, NY times and Food and Wine.

My Sparrow - stylish responsibility

Serena and Lily Love!

I am sure that you have heard of them but just in case.... let me tell you how great they are! Serena and Lily is a catalog and web based bedding and furniture company that I think is fantastic. They are just perfect, with bedding, accessories, paint and fabric by the yard- the only wish I have is that they had MORE! Check them out at serenaandlily.com. Here are a few photos of what they have that makes me smile! Goodies for parents, babies and kiddies alike!

They also have great Organic bedding options for your little ones!!

All photos courtesy of serenaandlily.com