“Laughter is brightest, in the place where the food is.”
Yesterday’s sun didn’t last long. It disappeared behind clouds, and later we had rain. Today, yet again, rain is predicted. The morning sun and the blue sky have dropped in to say a quick hello before their disappearance this afternoon. Gracie is lying on the lounge on the deck; Fern is curled in a ball in the sun by the front door, and I have the window open.
I’m going to the garden store today to buy soil and herbs for my window boxes. Last year every time I went on the deck I could smell the sweetness of the basil and the rosemary. I know I’ll fill my trunk as I have little self-control when I buy herbs and flowers. My friend, the gardener, gave me a list of new flowers to add to my front garden.
Planting always seems so hopeful to me. It acknowledges the changing season and the arrival of spring. I hunt recipes where I can just snip and add fresh herbs from my garden to summer dinners on the deck. The basil goes into sandwiches with tomatoes and cheese. The oregano is added to feta and olive oil, and the three of them sit and get to know each other for a couple of weeks then a miraculous spread for fresh bread is born. I can see the candles in the trees brightening the night as we sit and enjoy the bounty of my yet to be planted garden. The time is coming: I just know it.
Before I leave for Ghana, I’m going to cook an African dinner for my friends as a sort of farewell party. I know kelewele will be on the menu as it is my favorite Ghanaian dish, and it will be the first one I eat after my arrival. I’ll also make groundnut stew and find a substitute for fufu so my friends can eat with their hands the Ghanaian way. That’s about as far as I’ve gotten, but then again, I have a few months to prepare.
Well, I’m done. I can hear the garden store calling my name!
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
May 20, 2011 at 11:33 am
There’s nothing like fresh herbs from your own garden! Make sure you have someone tend them while you’re gone.
Sandy
May 20, 2011 at 11:37 am
Sandy,
I have someone who stays here to take care of the pets, and she, I’m sure, will be happy to water the plants on the deck. The rest of the garden, including the herb garden, are part of my irrigation system so they’ll be fine.
Thanks for thinking of my herbs!
May 20, 2011 at 1:05 pm
I love to plant and sow things. Especially sowing. To wait and see if I´m successful or if I have to try again next year 🙂 When the plants actually grows it happens that I lose interest of it pretty fast 🙂 🙂
I was planning to buy and do lots this weekend but then I realized that I´l get my paycheck next week, so I´ll wait until next weekend instead.
I heard that it has been an absolutely wonderful day and the evening isn´t that bad either, but we´ll have frost tonight they say so I think it´s time to start a fire in the stove 🙂
Have a great day now!
Christer.
May 20, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Christer,
I spend an arm and a leg at the garden center: herbs, perennials, special soil for my window boxes and planters and a hanging plant for the deck. It was great fun shopping.
Next will be the planting!
May 20, 2011 at 3:50 pm
I thought you were going this summer. When does the 50th Anniversary start in Ghana?
May 20, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Z&Me,
I am going this summer, at the end of August. The celebration begins on August 30 and lasts two days then I’m off to the north where I lived.
May 20, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Soil and herbs sound interesting, but:
Cheers
May 20, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Minicapt,
HA!
Soul Train- I should have guessed. Great outfits!