The fact is: I am 4th generation Farming Stock and I cannot grow a cotton picking thing! I have a Brown thumb in the worst way. (sigh) But in my heart of hearts, I think I can, I think I can...When that catalog arrives in the mail, the vegetables and flowers just pop and sing to me! THIS WILL BE THE YEAR! But then the images of gardens past start creeping (like weeds) into my mind's eye. And I think: hmmmm, there are so many wonderful Farmers that I know at the Markets...it's probably best to support them, right?
Truth be told, we all have our niche. Mine is Keeper of the Family Recipes. Growing up, I stood by my Grandmother's side and made pie crusts and baked biscuits from scratch. I stirred fresh cut corn off the cob in preparation for freezing under her direction, and washed turnip greens to prep for awesome tasty goodness! Now that she has passed, we gather at our house (all family members), on a yearly basis. I make sure to pull out Grandmother's china and silverware, and pour over her favorite recipes to serve. We have a great time tasting and reliving our times growing up together, as we remember our Parents and Grandparents.
My cousin takes care of the crops (thank GOODNESS!!!) and I handle the yearly Feast and prepare the next generation for taking over the recipes. Because that's what we do: we pass on tradition from one generation to the next so that nothing is lost and members of our family live on.
No garden for me this year...I really am too busy with the Barkery and handling the organization of the Farm records, but I ordered some Pumpkin seed from the catalog last Fall...I have this everlasting urge to plant them and I just can't help myself!! Hubby says NO...we'll see who wins this battle of the Jack-O-Latern. He may just be surprised where these Orange Orbs "pop" up...(conversation in my head in preparation: "oh look honey: where did that unusual "flower" in the flower bed come from?" said in an innocent voice, of course!) Maybe I should start working on that "innocent" voice now?