Well this definitely is a record year - I got a farmer tan by the 23rd of March.  At least I have plenty of time this spring to work on evening things out.  Anyone else have some amusing early season photos?

 

I finally got my act together (after seeing everyone else on YGS was already in seeding process!).  I planted 3 types of tomatoes, 2 types of lettuce, beans/peas (it is crazy to start them indoors - but the animals always munch them before they get large enough - gotta give the shoots a fighting chance!), basil, rosemary, flat... ...see more

Well, the annual "accidental" burning of the reeds occurred today in the Fenway Victory Gardens.  It is our 70th anniversary, so the fire kicked off the year with quite an expansive flame.  At times I got somewhat close to the action and the heat was pretty intense.  It was already in the mid-50s today, but the fire warmed... ...see more

This weekend I noticed that there are now plenty of tulips (at good prices too!) that can be found all around town.  I got this bunch for $4...not too bad...

"Grow it Forward" has officially begun - looking forward to seeing what everyone plants this year...bring on the heirlooms!

As a parting gift, Tom offered to make a special last lunch, and my request was for Amatriciana, which made my sister quite happy as well.  I took some photos of Tom in action...sauteing the onions and pancetta...then adding the tomatoes and a hot pepper (even better when you have some straight from the garden!)...cooking it... ...see more

Thursday was my last day at Le Corone.  Although the sun had already begun to set, we (Tom, Maria, and I) hiked around the property a bit.  The photos don't truly convey the views and sunset colors, but they'll give you an idea as to the surrounding beauty.  We were able to cover a lot of ground and even in the early darkness... ...see more

As my days here in Otricoli are numbered, I thought that I would take a short tour around the farmhouse.  The scenes are slowly greening up...spring is on its way.  As for the cat, he's happy just lounging on pots...his pot sleeping days are numbered as well - soon there will be soil and plants sprouting from those containers!... ...see more

This week Tom took me on a fieldtrip to reload the household olive oil jug.  We stopped at the place closer to the house...nobody was there even though the business gate was wide open...off to the next place.  We had better luck at the second stop - plenty of personal service and some olive oil education as well.  As there... ...see more

On our excursion this morning we stopped at a local garden center.  Tom needed to pick up a rake head that he had ordered and thought that I would enjoy meeting the friendly folks there.  They all seemed busy stocking up the place...seems that spring will come earlier here in the Umbria countryside than... ...see more

One of the resident farm cats decided this morning to spend some time in the planter outside my desk window - perhaps he'll take root!

We left early in the morning to be sure that we'd have a full day in Rome.  It was foggy on the drive to the train station, but sun was promised on weather.com so we remained confident that our day would be warm and bright.  First stop was an indoor market...all that you could want and plenty more....veggies, fruit, spices,... ...see more

During our day in Rome there was a trail of flower power about the city.  Flower vendors were in hot demand in Campo de Fiori.  Artists had full displays of flower themed paintings and prints in Piazza Navona.  And there were plenty of window boxes in place with hardy winter plants that will surely be joined by more colorful... ...see more

Tom and I headed to town early and toured around a bit (as you can see from my prior posts) while we awaited Maria's arrival.  Upon meeting up we decided on lunch in Trastevere - which ended up being a perfect choice!