My husband and I have always enjoyed gardening, probably because our parents, to different degrees, enjoyed it as well. As far back as I can remember my parents always had a garden and beautiful yard full of flowers and yummy edibles. Now more than ever, gardening has become an enjoyment beyond description for me. I get up in the morning and have my tea, take my cup outside and begin the routine of watering. First the greenhouse, then I move on to the flowers and ground cover around the edge of the lawn, the bushes and then on to the vegetables. I began gardening in half wine barrels about five years ago which I set on concrete pier blocks to elevate a bit so I didn't have to crawl around or bend over so much. It works pretty well, but I do have to water a bit more in the height of the summer. Today, I dug up the potatoes from the plants that had been eaten top down by the earwigs. I still have several potato plants that the earwigs have not gotten to so I'll leave them in to keep producing. Once the potato plant tops are gone, the potatoes need to be harvesting or they will begin to sprout or go bad. Usually plants are harvested closer to the fall but, as you can see, I was able to harvest some wonderful little spuds from the critter dessimated plants. The potatoes are creamy, beautifully white, and sublime tasting. A few green beans, some pan browned proscuitto, fresh thyme and oregano, drizzled with a little olive oil, and accompanied by a chicken breast in wine and thyme reduction - sounds like dinner! And oh, can't forget the bread from Shatts that I picked up this morning on my walk. Must say this day has been sweet, and will get even sweeter after I put the Cantiga Oakless Chardonnay in the refrigerator while I begin the prep.