Monday, July 20, 2009

A glimpse into growth

a squash blossom

While I work on drawings and paintings, life continues on the little farm with many chickens and turkeys in the barn and lots of veggies growing in the garden and greenhouse. I love the scent of the earth at this time of year. After a couple of days of rain and fog, today was hot and sunny and you could almost see the plants grow before your eyes.

I thought I'd share some images that I took this evening so you can share a little of my world.

foxgloves

These foxgloves grow wild all around the place, becoming a nuisance at times and overcrowding flowerbed and woods. I let a few stay and this white one is especially beautiful with the contrasting purple. Its growing right up against the house near the front door.

leaf lettuce

I love being able to walk to the greenhouse or kitchen garden to pick lettuce for salads. You can't get fresher than that!

Heirloom tomatoes

There are about 6 or 7 varieties of heirloom tomatoes growing in the greenhouse this year, from Green Zebras to Black Russians and everything in between. Heirloom tomatoes aren't as prolific as modern hybrids, but they make up for that in taste and resistance to disease. This is the sea of plants taking over the greenhouse.

hot peppers

Still in the greenhouse, a variety of sweet and hot peppers are being grown. Some very, very hot. Anything called 'Dragon' has my respect.


The hay grass grew really well this year, even if its not really needed anymore, not having horses anymore. It moves in the wind as if it is one single unit, almost like waves on the ocean. It likely will be cut soon as the ducks enjoy having some hay to nest in during the winter and you never know what kind of animal will turn up here next.

moose skull and vertebra

Finally, the artistic find - the skull, jawbone and some vertebra of likely a moose found in a peat marsh. Knowing anatomical detail of animals and people is so useful in drawing and to purchase a skull is very expensive. These will be scrubbed then stored in the studio for future use and in teaching.

5 comments:

Billie Crain said...

Your gardens look so incredibly lush and abundant, Jeanette! I'm envious of your white foxglove. Even though it's a nuisense in your area it's still gorgeous. I grew some from seed by the wintersow method two years ago but lost them during this past winter before they were mature enough to bloom. They would've looked great in my moongarden. *sigh*

Rose Welty said...

I'm going to have to add "spend a week at Jeanette's drawing" to my life goals list. :D It all looks amazing.

Jeanette Jobson said...

They do look good at this time of year Billie, especially after some much needed rain.

The foxgloves pop up everywhere and I let a few stay put. I like the white ones best too. I've always wanted a 'moon garden'. I'll have to work on that.

Rose, you're always welcome to come, there's never a shortage of inspiration to draw here.

A Brush with Color said...

Oh, what a marvelous place. I grew up on the outskirts of Manhattan, and loved it, but the older I get, the further south and into more pastoral settings I go...and I appreciate it so much more. It sounds bucolic and beautiful, despite the hard work I know it takes to make it so.

Robyn Sinclair said...

How lovely to get to visit through your photos, Jeanette. I particularly love your squash flower.