One of the things I was most excited about when we moved to the Prairies was having a garden. In BC we never had the space for a garden. I tried to grow a few things in pots and managed a herd bed in the back of our townhouse but nothing like a real garden that actually made food that would feed our family.
Plus, gardening is one of those things that is just in the air here. Like football, and friendliness. Maybe it is because so many people are connected to the farms here. Most people have a relative still on the farm, or grow up on the farm. And farming still makes the economy move here. They even have a farm report in the newspaper.
So this spring I got really excited about putting in at least a little garden. My amazing husband built two large raised beds and we got to work. We had a bit of a late start and neither of us had much experience but we had lots of helper. So in went the seeds and watering was done enthusiastically.
And then came harvest time. I was and still am in awe of what the earth has given back.
We have carrots a plenty and potatoes too. The beats got eaten up very quickly. My kids are much more likely to eat our veggies. They love that they planted, tended and picked them.
The crab- apples were very plentiful and have been transformed into rows and rows of jelly.
Even the tomatoes that never ripened have found a home with us. You would be surprised what you can do with unripe tomatoes. (That is for another post)
I think for the first time I understand why thanksgivings is where it is in the year. This year we had at least three things on our Thanksgiving table that came out of our backyard. And now I understand the idea of giving thanks for a harvest. As I sit here on our first snowy day, I know that my pantry is filled with food to last us through the winter. True my little garden did not make enough to feed us exclusively. I still have to go to the grocery store (Three time in as many days this week!) But for the first time on my live I see how food really works. With a little work on our part, the earth gives back so much. It never charged us a fee or asked any recompense. It is just a free gift. What a glorious thing. It almost feels heavenly!
Now I understand. People here are a little bit crazy. Not crazy like scary and unpredictable but a good crazy. Crazy like going in the hot tub at 7 am on a snowy -12 degree morning. I totally understand. We know that this might be the nicest day we have in the long time. There is no wind, it is only -12 and the snow is light and beautiful. We also know that we might be stuck inside for the next 5 months so we do it now, while we can. 
