Finding Calm In A Summer Storm

Our summer remains full of activity. We're still dividing our time between Mermaid House and the homestead, which means double of everything to see to (and it also means I'm away from my computer a lot more). The teens are busy with Blunt Youth Radio (all the shows have been archived so we can listen to them again. Adam and Olivia hosted a show on Geek Culture in Maine, recently, which was quite good.) Adam also completed his engineering training at the station, so he is official! We have this week to hurry up and begin new, huge projects at the homestead, and then jump right into four days at the Northeast Unschooling Conference where Alex, Olivia, and I are presenting. My absence from this space, while not preferred, is exactly what is needed at this time. In the blur of our days, I intended to share with you, this moment among the storm clouds receding over the Scarborough Marsh, the almost-Mammatus clouds, the reflected sky and the green that seems to stretch forever. When I feel particularly rushed or exasperated or a touch overwhelmed, I will remember this moment and the scent of ozone and brine on a recent August evening.

What A Difference Eleven Years Makes In The Garden

I know I only just posted about our blooming garden, but I couldn't resist sharing a few more photos with you. I never cease to be amazed at the transformation in the garden during late spring. Also, I am reminded that this spring marks eleven years in our home, and our garden reflects this (here's a lengthy garden tour post from 2010.) Hint, the garden used to look like this:

In The Garden : Flowering

Well, we have finally had some much needed rain, which means now, the garden is greening and the fruit trees are blossoming. We've planted our vegetable bed, the peas are up, the rhubarb needs harvesting and every day, I make to do lists for two houses and two gardens. Every little thing that needs done, needs to be done twice, both here and at the farm. (If you're looking for an update about what's been happening, there, read this.) Let's just say, this spring and summer are going to be interesting. And very full. (It's all good, though, reallyreally.)

These photos are from May 4, and already, there's so much more growth.















From May 8.









I know, squirrels can be a nuisance. But this particular squirrel stays close by when we are out in the garden and poses for photos. I can't help being smitten.



On the way to the kids' choir concert, last week, we saw a moose.



And this week.















It makes me exceedingly happy to see all these future apples, plums, peaches and pears, blooming in our little garden by the sea.

A Fruitful Weekend

Having had a couple of hectic weeks and two consecutive weekends not spent at home, I was adamant that this weekend, we needed to finally harvest the peaches, grapes and some of our vegetable garden. Peaches were dropping to the ground, some of the broccoli had bolted (I left the blossoms for the bees) and the cardinals were relishing every single grape they popped with their beaks. We simply had to make time to deal with the garden.



On Saturday, the remnants of tropical storm Leslie was buffeting our trees and I feared our peach tree, so laden with pounds of fruit, would crack. So after breakfast, out we went, with paper bags, bowls and shirts pulled up to cradle our harvest.




And despite losing about twenty pounds to drops, animals or insects and to some fungal infestations, (which we plan to address after the tree is dormant with organic approved methods), we still managed to get thirty pounds of organic peaches, which will be eaten now, plus made into pies and jam and possibly wine.




Enjoying our blustery day out in the garden, we harvested some beets, red cabbage, tomatoes, beans, and chard, too.




Once I realized how hungry we all were, I went inside to cut up about two pounds of plum and cherry tomatoes for a pasta salad for dinner while Alex and the kids tackled the grape vines. The cardinals scolded and protested the taking of their grapes with their loud and shrill peeping.




Reliance Seedless have a citrus quality, with a grapefruit tang



King of the North grapes are much like a Concord, and are well-suited to Maine's climate




The total grape harvest was twenty-two pounds. Organic grapes.



With only a little bit of light left, we rushed to the shore to see the roaring surf, knowing the bags and bags of peaches and grapes needed to be dealt with but thinking that was a task better suited for Sunday.



Sunday was a good day for many things: an impromptu and welcome visit from friends who stayed for a casual dinner, and didn't mind the bowls and bowls of grape juice cooling on the counter, their son's excited laughter during a video game with Adam and their littlest dancing on the deck. Best of all, getting to know our friends just a little bit better.






By Sunday evening, the house was full of good jam-making smells. Alex told me he made up 4 1/2 pints of jam and the rest, the rest of the grapes are going to wine-making. It was a good weekend.