Harvest Monday 4.16.12

After being out of town for a bit last week we came back to a garden in full-swing; however, we did not come home empty-handed! Thirty years ago my parents moved our family to a little house in the middle of an avocado orchard. They were not farmers, had no interest in becoming such, but wanted my brother and I to grow up in an area in which we were free to roam. The two of us used to post-up on the corner and sell the avocados, 4 for $1, all summer long. My brother used his money earned to buy surfboards, and I saddles for my horse. Anything not within arms reach was professionally picked and sold. It was when I went away college at UCSD (my migration to San Diego), that I realized what I had lived with all those years. I about died the first time I went into the market to buy an avocado - holy moly - they did not fit into my college student budget! And, it was only then I realized why my parents were so upset with us the year we decided to pick all the baby avocados to use as ammunition in a battle with the neighborhood kids. Sorry, folks.

Merveille des quatre saisons lettuce, almost the size of Ezra's head.

Spring flowers.

The asparagus is almost, almost done. To be honest, I am ready for it to be over. I feel like I have personally eaten 10 pounds in the past two weeks.

The artichokes are also in full effect. I am going to start picking the small ones and can them. I don't know if I can eat another balsamic grilled artichokes.

See those strawberries? Yep, they have begun as well. I also found a bunny in the garden this week, eating my berries. Hmm. Hasenpfeffer anyone?