One of my goals has been to plant as many perennial flowers as I can to attract bees into the garden. I was so pleased to see this beautiful Lupine coming up this spring.

We have focused a lot on the back garden and our food and the things that we wanted to grow – but now that the back garden is mostly perennial, I really want to focus on making the front yard into a garden with beautiful flowers and eventually food to share with our neighbors. This is a beautiful start.

This is to the left of the front stairs and to the right – there is a bed of sunchokes that are growing like crazy and should have many beautiful flowers this year. One thing I know, is that when the sun chokes are in bloom – the goldfinches show up and sit in them and sing.

There are so many really negative news stories and discouraging things happening in our world around us – but each one of us can have an effect – planting a few seeds, growing a few tomatoes, making our own world more beautiful. It does make a difference. I was out in the front yard today looking at plants and a neighbor stopped by while walking their dog and we talked for awhile.

So many of us are living check to check and struggling – we work hard to make our lives better for our families. It won’t solve every problem – but even if you just plant something – a tomato plant, herbs, anything.  Then stand outside and meet your neighbors – so when times are tough we will have the support we need to be strong and care for each other.

I realize the problems people have are not so easily solved, but we seriously have to start somewhere and reconnecting to nature and the people in our lives is a good place to start. And if times don’t get tough, you will have a delicious tomato sandwich to share =)