In the Piedmont Region of North Carolina, many fruits and vegetables are ready to eat. In our yard, blueberries are ripening daily, lavender is growing (a little past peak), mint is wildly rampant, cucumbers are available by the dozens, tomatoes are starting to turn red, pole beans are growing in front of our eyes, and okra is putting up a good fight against the deer. Unfortunately, watermelon blossoms are being eaten by rabbits or deer as soon as the buds open! At the farmers' markets, peaches arrive daily from the Sandhills (Moore and Richmond County). Our part of the world is full of the wonderful flavors of summer. Nothing beats fresh produce.
A few years ago, we decided to convert our property to an edible landscape. It is amazing what can grow in a small amount of space, especially if you consider the use of poles to grow vines vertically. Once you are accustomed to fresh produce, you will not want to return to salty, processed, packaged foods. Mr. GDP works hard on getting plants in the ground; we all weed and harvest; Mrs. GDP spends afternoons finding nic nacs and dishes that will photograph well with the fruits of our labor. That's what is going on in our world. To learn about others, check out the My World themed postings.
An "edible landscape"! Great term and a great thing to do.
I've been so busy this week helping my nun friends that only now I get caught up on your posts. Love how you describe the Pius X church project. :)
The Old City as half Christian? Hmm, well, only if you count 2 as half of 4 . Please see numbers and aerial view at http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/11/old-city-vehicles.html
Shalom!
Posted by: Dina | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 12:49 AM
such an inviting photo! so fresh!
Posted by: Lara | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 01:35 AM
Quite simply, nothing's better than the own fresh "fruits of your labor."
Posted by: Bill B | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 07:22 AM
I love this shot. Nothing better than fruits and vegetables fresh out of the garden.
Posted by: Carver | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Wonderful - and not just the photo but everything about it! I have such a desire to have an edible landscape, so far my attempts have not turned out great. Hopefully I'll get there over time!
Posted by: Martha | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 10:21 AM
You grow these. I am so envious. Blueberries are still relatively new to the UK, but I'm a huge fan. I'd love to see more of your fruit. I also must visit more. I have become a little lax with my visiting other blogs.
Posted by: babooshka | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Hmmm! Any idea as to why Piedmont is called like an Italian region (or almost)?
Posted by: cieldequimper | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Wow - just came to your blog, saw the photo and thought "WOW" ... the photo is excellent, especially with the ceramic chicken on the left and the corresponding red stripes in the upper right corner. Very nice composition (even if I am not a blueberry fan ;-))
Posted by: Martina | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Thank you for such the sweet response! Your photography (and website) is gorgeous and I've bookmarked your site for future viewing. I'm hoping to step up my design in some way to draw in more readers, so hopefully when you come back there will be something new to see!
Posted by: Anthonia | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Beautiful photo! Mrs. GDP does great at tracking down pretty dishes for fabulous photos!
Please be so kind to remember to put your country when you do a MWT post. I'm fixing today's.
Thanks so much! This is a winner!
Posted by: Louise | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 06:14 PM
Those blueberries look delicious. I agree -- once you've tasted home-grown fruits and vegetables, store-bought just doesn't compete.
Posted by: George | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 06:44 PM
RIPE blueberries? Yum. We have the blue impersonators here. Enough to make me cry. Lovely photo.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Oh these blueberries look delicious! One of my favorite fruits.
Posted by: Sally in WA | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Wow, the picture made my mouth water! Self-grown blueberries! I love them!
Posted by: Buenos Aires Photo Blog | Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 04:51 AM
Fresh produce from the garden is the best way to do. I have grown our own food for us until last summer when there was no water for the garden or our animals. We've just had some rain and are already picking lettuce leaves and dill.
Love your photo.
Posted by: Arija | Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 08:26 AM
I'd love to live there, nothing like fresh produce easily accessible at your very own backyard. Wish I had a backyard and a green thumb! Love your photo too!
Posted by: Jenn | Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 11:55 PM