A Trip to Joe's Gardens

Welcome friends...thanks for coming by. We're seeking beauty in all of creation... in our faith and our families; our art and our music; our crafts and kitchens, and even in our own backyard. We'll share a poem or a recipe, a picture or a memory; maybe a dream of how we wish our life could be. And though we acknowledge that the world can be harsh, we're keeping it pleasant in our little corner; endeavoring to keep the words from the Book of all Books: ...Whatsoever things are lovely; think on these things.

I so enjoy hearing from you...so leave me a comment; it'll make my day!

Photo: Bee and thistle: Taken high in the Cascade Mountains where there is a bee buzzing on every thistle. by Debora Rorvig

Monday, July 11, 2011

A Trip to Joe's Gardens

     I'm gonna try planting a fall/winter garden for the first time. Fall can be 'iffy' up here in the 4th corner. Sometimes we get glorious, sunny weather until mid October. Sometimes it rains from mid-September on. I researched the kinds of veggies that will tolerate our weather conditions, then my friend Adelia and I set out for Joe's Gardens. Joe's Gardens have been operation in our area since 1933, and their name is a standard in the best markets in our area. I figure if anybody knows how to grow fall crops in the Northwest, they will.
     We got some great advice, some beautiful, local produce and some very inexpensive starts.
I got broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, leeks, cabbage and basil...for just 25 cents per start! I didn't find  kale, and garlic yet, but I'll keep looking.
     After a great day of produce shopping, Adelia treated me to a Starbuck's hot chocolate with extra whipped cream.
     A day spend with a good friend, shopping local, and chocolate. That's as good as it gets!

Joe's is located in the beautiful Happy Valley/Fairhaven District of Bellingham.

My basket runneth over!

Local strawberries. I wasn't going to buy any, but the aroma got to me.

Rainer Cherries

Butter lettuce, can't get any fresher than this!

Oh the colors!

Cheerful zinnias

Sweet peas...the fragrance was divine!

This guy gave me the best advice on planting my garden. He's also a chef; and was giving this lady all kinds of tips for using fennel in her cooking. Sorry, you just can't get this kind of personal service down at the AM/PM!

2 comments:

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...: I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't been there since I was a young girl! I keep meaning to go... every summer.... the handful of items I don't grow from seed.. like onions, leeks and tomatoes all come from Joe's Gardens but by way of a local nursery or even our grocery store.

Since I'm on vacation next week... just puttering at home I think I will add Joe's Gardens to my must do! Thanks for reminding me of such a wonderful local spot!

~Chris; July 11, 2011 at 8:05 PM
ellen b. said...: Well I'll have to put this one in my file of places to visit when I head north of the I-5! Looks and sounds like a great resource!
Love your new header!; July 12, 2011 at 8:21 AM

I Am From

I Am From...

by Debora Rorvig

I am from a lumber mill worker’s company house
with peeling paint and a sidewalk made of two by fours.
From faded flannel shirts that smell of pine and cedar boughs.

I am from Mason Jars of homed-canned pears,
from Dairygold milk with cream on top
in bottles on the porch.

I am from a garden plot with rows and rows of golden corn
that always wanted hoeing,
and from atop the highest branches of the Gravenstein apple tree in the Attolini’s orchard-
with apple juice dripping from my chin.

I am from saurkraut and wooden shoes-
the Millers and the Youngedykes,
and from the lively Scottish clan
who wear the McKinnon tartan.

From farmers and woodsmen
plain folk all,
who’s hands were calloused hard
but who’s hearts were tender-soft.

I am from ‘what will the neighbors think’
and ‘if you can’t say something nice,
don’t say anything at all.’

From saints and sinners who didn’t see eye to eye
but loved each other anyway,
and in their own way.

I am from the Western shores of Washington
strewn with agates, kelp and driftwood,
from Steelhead salmon, salty smoked
and chowder made from clams we dug
at Semiahmoo spit.

I am from my mother Ruby,
who taught me how to sew
on the old Singer treadle machine;
and told me all about my heritage.

And from my daddy, Raymond Claude
who took me nightcrawler hunting in the moonlight
and showed me how to bait my hook
and fish along the Nooksack River’s edge.

I am from an ancient, tattered Holy Bible kept safely on the upper shelf
with pictures of Jesus Christ
and a letter edged in black- carefully tucked inside.
There are births and deaths recorded there,
and a poem by great- great grandfather Alexander Laughlin Mckinnon
who I never met--and yet I know him
better than some I’ve met.

Precious is that Book to me.

And that is where I am from.

My Life List

*Seek first the Kingdom
*Never stop dreaming
*Make a difference in my students' lives
*Create alternate streams of income to fund my goals
*Dress with flair
*Master virbrato on my violin
*Try cross country skiing in Eastern Washington
*Lose those extra pounds and be healthy
*Be more active in my church
*Stop fearing things, people and confrontation; say what I think
*Stop Hurrying
*Inspire my grandchildren
*Own a Cottage on the Beach
*Live the Word
*Memorize the Book of Hebrews
*Find the perfect hairdo
*Be myself
*Look up old friends and make new ones
*Remodel the kitchen and bathroom
*Make my garden lovely
*Sleep under the stars in the desert and hear coyotes howl
*Write and publish a book(s)
*Travel toRio de Janiero, Cape Breton, South of France, Italy,Scotland, Wales, UK, Ireland, Norway, Turks & Caicos, New York City and the Eastern Seaboard; The Deep South, Africa

Monday, July 11, 2011

A Trip to Joe's Gardens

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