Happy New Year

Growing up in Pasadena, New Year's Day was all about the Roses.  

Although I rarely watch the parade on TV, I generally honor the spirit of the day, as this is the day I usually prune my rose bushes.  

This year it was fine and warm, but we turned ourselves to another gardening task, as our friend Pat had offered us some compost from her chicken coop in exchange for the green waste from our vegetable garden.  Step one, therefore, was clearing out our vegetable beds (should have been done weeks ago).

All that remains in our beds are some herbs (top left) and rhubarb (top right).  We harvested some leeks and beets (bottom left) and the last of the tomatoes (bottom right) - the largest is the size of a ping pong ball.  These will make green tomato pickles.  Ash from the recent fire still coats the leaves of the sage (bottom center).

Off to Jim and Pat's were were greeted by a nice red rose, to honor the day. 

Mr. Lincoln blooming on New Year's Day.

Pat has a particularly fine coop made from recycled materials for her "girls"  and we scooped out and sieved about 5 cubic feet of nice compost for our vegetables.  The girls were happy to get the greens in exchange.  

Clockwise from top: Jim and Pat with one of the "girls"; the girls get a treat from Bruce's hands; a Green Man protects the coop; fine compost; Persephone watches over the coop.

Here Jim and Pat practice their American Gothic look for us:

Here's to a productive new year so far!