Celestial Vegetables

Yesterday, I found this wonderful collection of photographs called Celestial Vegetables. The photographs are by Michael E. Tomb. He describes this collection as, "A fantasy universe where each celestial object is a culinary composition made from vegetables picked fresh from my garden".

The larger gallery (On Vegetables) on the Studio Michaelino site that features the Celestial Vegetables photographs also contains collections showcasing pumpkins, mushrooms, tomatoes, and artichokes, eggplants, and pole beans,  The description of this gallery reads, "Savory Images of the Fruits of the Garden and Field.  Inspired by my City’s History as America’s Center of Commercial Botanical Art in the 19th Century."

You can read more about Michael Tomb and see additional photographs in this article.   

Ice Fog and Seed Trades

After a mild January that saw wildly fluctuating temperatures, February is bringing us what used to be considered typical weather for this time of year.  This morning, it is -38 degrees with ice fog.  Next week's forecast indicates more of the same.  Our windows are covered with condensation inside, and in some cases, with a layer of ice along the bottom.  The furnace is getting a workout.  I am glad there is nowhere we have to be today.  This is hibernation weather.

To keep myself from going squirrelly, I have done a few exchanges for tomato seeds through the mail recently.  Some of the varieties I've received include Brad's Black Heart, German Striped, Russian Orange 117, four varieties of "long keepers" (Ruby Treasure, Clare's, Mystery Keeper, and Winter Gold), Sweet Sue (a dwarf variety), Thorburn's Terra Cotta, and Orange Strawberry.  I'm hoping to grow a few dwarf and oxheart varieties this summer.  Narrowing down the choices is always a challenge!


Monday, February 4 - At 8:30am this morning, it was -41..."feels like -49"...with ice fog.  School buses are cancelled (though schools remain open), the public library is closed, and city bus service is suspended until this afternoon.  I hope the postal workers don't have to deliver mail today!