white geraniums lining our porch
mini organic sunflowers, beside some hens n chicks
fresh from the market!
i can see a little critter had a nibble already!
virginia creeper in full force over the purogola
the 'edible' garden; lettuce, kale, basil, garlic,
peppers, chammomile, feverfew, evening primrose,
hyssop, and what i didn't capture (to the right in
the raised bed) were the tomatoes (4 different
heirloom varieties) and more peppers!
the shed with it's new walkway we built
Oh the joys of summer! it is finally here!
the tulips and crocus' are long gone and have made way for the daisies, lillies, sunflowers, herbs and vegetables, all which are taking over the garden now! in a good way!
we have been very busy since coming back from Europe. Since being back for a month already (feels like longer...!) we have managed to get much accomplished around the house!
unfortunately, that has left us with little time to get up to the cottage yet, but, we must be grateful for what we can do, and not rush. So much of our lives are rushed already it feels so lovely to be able to roam freely in the garden, sweep the patio, plant 'just one more' thing, hang fresh laundry on the line, smell the flowers, watch the birds and squirrels, and of course, just 'sitting'. Rarely we have have to just 'sit' so we have really been making an effort to eat outside when its nice; on the porch or under the purgola, and be outside as much as possible! and of course, BBQ season has begun! we've managed to get to three bbq's already, ohhh the smells of fresh food on a bbq! yum....
It's the first summer in our new home, and, well, i just can't get enough! The inside cleaning has gone on the backburner, although i did manage to wash the kitchen floor (primarily in an effort to rid the kitchen of our new furry little friends-mice! yup, we've caught 5 in total...i think they are gone now!) and dust the floors.
other than that i've really been focusing on the outdoors! one of my favourite things being here is all the new 'sounds' i am discovering; squirrels at the bird feeder, flutes, saxaphone's and tuba's (what talented neighbours we have!!) kids playing, people walking, biking, insects, the wind in the leaves, birds, OH the BIRDS!!! cardinals, blue jays, nut hatches, woodpeckers, finches, robins, oh the birds... oh my, i just must say it sure beats the sounds of the apartment; european ladies talking (and yelling!) from the restaurant downstairs, trains, cars, intoxicated people at ALL hours of the night... wow, its just such a vast and very welcome change, i really feel lucky to live here and have such wonderful neighbours! I've notice one of Jan's favourite things to do is lie on the wicker bench on the front porch and read, do his crosswords, and nap!
There is truly a sense of community here. i know the names, and faces of all those around me and we say hello on a daily basis. we've managed to borrow the following from at least 2 different neighbours; eggs, milk, vinegar, numerous plants and even earth from their garden! and we've given back to these neighbours by giving them baked goods, tomato plants, flowers, helping them install outdoor water supply (all jan's doing of course!!), babysit.
something i really think is great and thanks to Karin and Greg's blog at 'Little City Farm' (a GREAT b&b and urban homestead a mere 5 minutes from here,) for finding it on their site;
http://www.riverbankneighbors.org/howtodisappear/
it talks a lot about building community, its an illustrated book and really, really gives a good message with meaning, i REALLY think you oughta look at it
So, i've been trying to do even more of this in my own neighbourhood. Sure, the store is literally a 5 minute walk (funny, really everything is just 5 minutes away!) but why go when i could go ask a neighbour? what's the worst that could happen? they don't have it? well ask another neighbour, try for it until you get it, and if its something common, like milk, or eggs, you're bound to find it!
so i'll leave you with this thought;
when is the last time YOU borrowed something from a neighbour?, whether it be a service (grass cut, etc.) or a product (maybe it's food product, maybe its earth!) or when's the last time you gave something or recieved something without even asking from a neighbour?
if you haven't, try it! it feels good. and good feelings are the best kind, aren't they!
