Kitchen Firsts & Lasts

So much changes in the kitchen this time of year. Out winter stockpile dwindles just as we transplant the new seedlings. We simultaneously welcome fresh ingredients and say goodbye to all those hearty cold-weather recipes. Firsts and lasts abound.

~first corn, last jars of freezer jam and pesto~

~First green smoothie, last frozen blueberries, picked in July~

~first store-bought garlic, last batch of lentil soup~

I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the year I planted enough garlic to get us though until the next harvest. That this is the year we pick not ten, but twenty pounds of blueberries. That this is the year I jar up double the amounts of jams and tomatoes. That this is the year we rely more on our own food production than ever before. 

What comfort foods are you saying goodbye to for the summer? What things are you welcoming back into your warm-weather kitchen?

Copper Garden Markers for Mom

"A" and I often make the gifts we give on Mother's Day. In fact we make most of the gifts we give year-round. But with so many giving occasions—holidays, birthdays, Mother's Day, one can only give so many pieces of jewelry or wooden items to their mother.

I had been mulling over making some garden markers for a while now. Both our mothers have herb gardens and I was glad to think of something more functional to give, but I was seriously procrastinating making them. A few weeks ago, Nicole at GardenMama, sent me a link to some garden markers she had seen, saying they made her think of me. Well, I was flattered, and that was all the motivation I needed to get moving. Before I knew it, I had bunches of them.

I used strips of copper and the silver wire writing I have so much fun doing.

A few of you know me too well, and actually suggested I make these! I was bursting and wanted to show you, but had to wait until Mother's Day passed.

Turns out, I could have shown you, because we still have not seen either of our mothers to give them their gifts. They were both away. (Ma, if you're reading this...surprise!)

I'm keeping a few for myself, too, and I'm curious to see how they weather. I'm hoping that, over time, they take on that gorgeous green patina.

Copper and sterling silver garden markers available in my shop.

I will be stepping away from the computer for the rest of the week, in preparation for the 2-day show this weekend. I'll be back next week, breathing a little easier, with lots to tell.
SoWa Opening Weekend boasts hand-crafted goods, a farmer's market, and an antiques market all in one place. For those of you in the Boston area, stop by and say hello!