I'm in a Whirl!

A quick update of some recent excitement:
Matt built another laying box out of scrap materials- this one is bigger for the Welsummers, but it doesn't stop the Barred Rocks from being curious:

While Tanta Cinti and Uncle John were visiting, we went to the Oregon Gardens where I saw this great composter. Every time I go to the gardens, I get new ideas!

They've used screens that separate the compartments to allow air flow...

And the sides are made up of individual boards, so you can build up as you fill the compartments...


They also have their own spot for carnivorous plants; these are pitcher plants.

I love this idea! Especially for pole beans. I'm thinking this would look really good in the front yard next year...

We also went to the Silverton Art Festival and I splurged on a beautiful jewelry rack for all my bobbles:

Now, just because the weekend ends, doesn't mean the fun is over! During the next week, I got together with my friend Linda and we raided the gardens of some of her friends. First on the list was picking blackberries at Joanne's farm. They have beef cows and I plan to purchase one-quarter of a grass-fed Highland cow!


Here we are admiring the new calves:

Next on the list was Martin's place, just down the road from Joanne's. Linda got some kohlrabi and I picked some green tops to take home.

Here's Martin's garden in all it's glory- I envy his carrots!


When I got home, I got to do some raiding of my own: my first carrots (!) and some other ripe goodies:

Terrariums

I recently acquired a book about terrariums which has inspired Matt and I to try some of our own. Matt tried to grow herbs, but they don't do well when you go over to your girlfriend's house for days at a time. So, we're going to try something new!
Succulents are very low maintenance and don't require much care, other than an occasional light watering; perfect for Matt's apartment. After a shopping spree at Lowe's, here's what he brought home:



And here's my attempt at a terrarium with one of the Venus flytraps I recently bought for the kitchen. Kinda cute, right?

Summer Produce Photo Shoot

Say hello to my photographer friend: Steve Surbaugh! We've been trying to get together for a while to do a "Four Seasons" produce photo shoot and we finally made a date for last Saturday. We met at the Salem Farmer's Market and shopped for scrumptious looking goodies. I dear say we were victorious!!

Here we are back in Steve's studio. We started with a white backdrop and arranged all the food just so...



Then, we changed the backdrop to black, which made the deep colors really pop!


It was so much fun! The whole morning was lovely and creative; what a great Saturday!

Life Goes On

Life is good, but busy. Matt had his hernia surgery on Monday and recovery is slow and painful. Thankfully, we had a very nice weekend before going to the hospital on Monday. For the next few weeks, my life will consist of checking on Matt during my lunch break and after work as well as Vicodin, Ibuprofen, and anti-biotic regiments. Combined with making food, doing dishes, watering my plants, selling eggs, and running errands, my days whiz by. Like, it's already Wednesday. Trash day. I'm thankful that I remembered (well, I noticed everyone else's cans on the street) cause all my cans were full. I look forward to Matt feeling better and our daily routine slowing down to normal.