Hoes and Logos

I decided to enter a logo contest at the last minute. I wasn't going to tell anyone unless I won, but I don't care if they pick mine, I love it.

I ended up staying up late Thursday night creating it, getting only 2 broken hours of sleep before heading off to the office....ya know, paid work. I worked at my computer for most of the morning until I finished my project and went looking for more active things to do (to help stay awake and pass the time faster). After helping in the warehouse, I got assigned garden duty. Yes please and thank you. I made 4 mound rows and planted onions in the first. The only tool I used was a hoe...(and a 4x4 to hammer in steaks, but that doesn't count, right?).

My office for the afternoon.

Well, I found it quite funny and ironic that my logo design, created and finished just hours before, also included a hoe. I should mention... I hadn't seen nor used a hoe in at least year, maybe a few years. Then 2 in 12 hours.

My design

Produce and Pine Cones

It's been a busy last couple of days. I worked at the nursery on Wednesday and picked (well, I should say 'dug up') my very first potatoes and beets! So maybe it doesn't sound all that exciting but I thought is was super cool. And not only did we dig up 3 different kinds of potatoes, one of them was PURPLE! Everything's cooler with fun colors. ;)

They are extra purple when they are wet. (top 2: dry. bottom 2: wet)

I made sure to bring my camera this week so you can see the corn stalk bouquets I was referring to last week. 

And a few other farm-y things.

Look, we have egg plants on the way.

And I have also been hard at work transforming my painted pine cones into ornaments. Yesterday, I hung some at the Art Center (where I have my paintings) and also brought some to Made in Lake Tahoe (where I have other handmade goodies on consignment). I also worked at MILT yesterday and painted a few while I was sitting there.... and sold my first one. =)

I made all the curly Qs different.

Let's see... oh, and today I dusted off my sewing machine. (No really, I did. Somehow even with a cover it got dusty.) And I put it to work for the first time in months.

 I made these cute legwarmers and plan to make more aprons. 3 out of the original 4 have sold.
Alright. back to it.

What is Organic?

With all this gardening lately, I've started wondering. I hear people talk about ORGANIC and how it's better for me, but what does it mean to be organic? Food wise, that is.

There is lots of information out there (which I myself have not delved into yet). I did however, find this article that does a good job summarizing it, but also gives links to expanded information if you feel inclined to read on.

Sustainable Baby Steps has some answers.

Hungry Mother

Today, I volunteered at Hungry Mother, an organic nursery. They have a program where you can work a few hours a week in exchange for fresh organic produce. I've been wanting to learn to garden and thought it would be a good idea to get some hands on experience before starting my own...and, of course, score some yummy produce!!

Today was my first time at the nursery, but we got straight to work harvesting the tomato plants and then composting the plants and soil. I worked with 2 other girls doing this, one works there full time and the other has been volunteering for quite awhile it seemed. It was pretty easy to catch on. I definitely got the sampling part down. haha We worked for a little over 3 hours. And then we were shown what we were allowed to take home. Some of it was in a cooler and the rest we just went and picked ourselves.

Here's my loot. All of this is grown at the nursery.

Squash, tomatoes, edible flowers, strawberries, and even eggs!

I figured the flowers would quickly wilt so I had them for lunch. It reminded me of last summer when I ate my first edible flower at summer camp.

Life is beautiful.

Botanica

I haven't been to Botanica in years. So it was nice to stroll through the flowers and trees last night.

(anybody know what this humming bird-like insect is?
they sure were going to town on these flowers)

Well if you are in the Wichita area, you should check out Botanica's live music on Tuesday nights. They have drinks available for purchase plus you can bring your own picnic dinner.

Good Bye Summer! I love you. mwah!!

jess