December Update

Frozen in mid drip overnight, water collects on Brussels Sprouts leaves. Pine needles appear to make a stem in nature's frozen flower form.

Fingers crossed, the Brussels Sprouts will be of a decent size to harvest by December 25th. I noticed today, how beautifully ice shimmered on it's purple leaves, the plants prostrate now, their bodies hanging over the side of the back raised bed as if they have had enough. "Harvest me and get it over with" they seem to say, like some wilting diva, finished and fainting.

"Well soon", I console..."but not quite yet. I've got a bit of pancetta to fry you in Christmas Day, and when you are sautéed almost  fork tender, a few added dried cranberries will sweeten your taste.  Hang on, don't go all weak on me yet".

Peeling back the plastic hoop cover, the last of the beets waited. Red glossy Bulls Blood leaves and root went into the Greek Salad tonight, as did Blankoma, boiled, peeled and sliced.

I love cooking with white beets, no staining of fingers and bleeding on counter tops. Blankoma has just as much flavor as any other variety; next year I will grow both of these again but in another bed as this one still has traces of leaf miner from adding a mulch of infested birch leaves. Don't make that mistake!

The coming of winter seems to have thrown a bit of a blanket over the whole gardening experience so I need to try harder to be inspired. Today was a reprieve...blue skies, no rain, frozen hard cold ground to walk on, no muck..it was uplifting being out there again. We put wire protection around the trees and shrubs mice and rabbits like best, but heh..haven't seen a rabbit in ages so guess the fox or bobcat has them hunted down too far to recover.

The front cold frame covered raised bed is still growing well, Swiss Chard glowing in the afternoon sun, red mustard greens at it's feet. The latter was new to me last year...a green not bothered by insects and extremely versatile in a salad or stir fry, spicy, peppery and cold hardy.

It's building up to Christmas here at our house, days slipping by quickly. If you celebrate, I expect it is the same at your home. So, just in case I do not get to blog before the 25th, we sincerely wish you all a Buon Natale, and pray that Peace, like your garden, will grow and prosper in the coming year.

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas