Artisan Bread

Artisan breads are as varied as the people who make them. Every artisan baker has their own unique touch that gives their finished loaves a distinct look and taste that is all their own.

This is what my white loaves look like. I use organic flour, yeast, salt and filtered water.

 Sometimes I add herbs for a different flavor and marking the slits in a different design.

 

 

Strawberries

Having tried several times to grow strawberries in the past and failing miserably, here we go again.
I have failed to grow them in hanging baskets on numerous occasions over the years. No doubt with all of the wild rabbits, a ripened red strawberry would last only until a fuzzy bun bun sniffed it out and gobbled it down. Yum! Yum!

Strawberries must up grown up and out of the way of hopping fuzzballs around here. I found a raised bed kit on legs. The perfect solution it seems to our strawberry dilemma! Yay!

 

My trusty sidekick helped me assemble it (three times!)

 

Yes, several mistakes were made during assembly which was only made worse by the fact our only tool was a screwdriver. Thankfully, the third time was a charm!

 

 

 

Harvest for local market

Today was encouraging. With the help of my youngest daughter, three rhubarb bunches were cut, washed and delivered to a local food market about a half hour away from home. Even before the tags were printed, two bunches were sold.

I had 11 bunches of rainbow chard left so off they went to market also. My family and I enjoy the friendly atmosphere of The Wild Ramp with the diverse variety of fresh produce and other local foods such as pasta, milk and yogurt from grass fed cows, and freshly baked breads.

3 rhubarb bunches

   

11 swiss chard bunches

 

Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard, I had never heard of the stuff until I decided to plant it due to being able to harvest the leaves all growing season. I now know that chard is very healthy and, although I have not eaten it yet, I do plan to soon. I have been gathering up recipes online to try.

 

The seeds were started in flats in March and left in a greenhouse where they were cared for by diligent greenhouse workers. Kudos to them for their hard work!

The plants were set out the beginning of May and it is ready to be harvested already. My chard survived two frosts and lots of rain, which has apparently made it thrive.



transplants when first planted the first week in May



Ready to be harvested a few days ago

 

After harvesting in this corner of the bed

My first sale! Sold two bunches of chard. The restaurant owner also purchased kale and basil, which she is holding. :)



French breakfast radishes

Having never grown radishes before, I am amazed at how quickly they grow! These were only planted about a month ago and they are ready to eat. SUPER QUICK!

 

 



White lavender harvest

The white lavender has been harvested. I was able to get enough of it to make small wreath.  I am very pleased with the finished product.

After drying it on a flat surface for a few weeks, out of direct sunlight, it should be completely finished.

 

 

White Lavender

Did you know that lavender is difficult to grow from seed? This is the reason lavender plants are available as plugs and, of course, potted plants.

When I first purchased my lavender in pots, I thought I was buying all purple plants. Imagine the surprise when one of them had white blooms!

Altough white lavender buds were not in my gardening plans, I have grown to adore my one and only white lavender plant.

This year I plan to make lavender wreaths using both white and purple in color along with the traditional purple.

As you can see, the stems will soon be ready for harvesting and using.