The floors are swept, shallots, herbs, and salad greens gathered–let the tornado begin.
Gathering greens, herbs, and edible flowers from my container gardens.
And taking time out to puddle around with my plants, and to...
...sweep, and prepare for...
...the arrival...
...of...
...stylist Sunday Hendrickson. You've seen her work on the pages of many magazines, including Country Living, Country Living GARDENER, Romantic Homes, Cottage Style, This Old House, and many more. Sunday is producing a photo shoot of our gardens and shed, which will be featured in one of my favorite magazines early spring 2013. Can't wait to see it.
Sunday and photographer Mark Lohman peer at the computer screen to make sure that a photo is perfectly composed, and that the light is right.
Mark focuses on my little garden shed "Sprig."
Sunday and Mark decide whether to turn one of my containers a bit for a better shot.
The better shot.
Mark is bent over his camera (upper left) focusing on a close-up. Sunday is moving plants and arranging my containers.
Is "Sprig's" door better open or closed?
Inside "Sprig."
Sunday shields Mark's camera from the sun's glare.
What began at about 7 A.M. is over by mid-afternoon. I'll let you know which magazine will be featuring "Sprig" and my container gardens this spring, but right now I am sworn to secrecy.
So now it is on to one of my favorite holidays...
Cookbooks out and at hand.
Apples simmering, cooking down to applesauce...
Herbs steeping in vinegars...
Wild rice and crimini mushrooms begin to bubble...
Sweet potato, apple, and cranberry slaw is dressed and set in the fridge to deepen flavors...
Jeff is making sweet potato chips with the Joyce Chen spiralizer, the same tool I used to make the slaw.
By now, it is late, late, and it has been a long day. We've made a few of the dishes ahead of time to lighten the burden of work on Thanksgiving (when our little kitchen will be jammed with people).
I want to wish you a joy filled Thanksgiving with family and friends. As I gather ours close, I will be mindful of all the simple blessings in our lives. A roof over our heads, food, a bountiful garden, family, friends, and laughter. I wish the same for you.
Sending love across the miles,
Sharon
P.S. Luke is not able to come home yet, but I was finally allowed to sit in a rocker and hold him. He is beautiful and now weighs over 7 pounds, but he is still fighting his way through some problems.
Darla and Lori, I am always grateful for your kind words and prayers. Thank you!
