Interior design has always fascinated me...from those very early years when I would move around the furniture in the bedroom I shared with my sister...I never realized how good natured she was about that, just going with wherever her bed and dresser wound up next. Interior design is taking a back seat these days to exterior design or specifically, clever design in the gardens.
This is my friend Mark...he has been gardening for as long as I have known him. He is the person who grew these amazing tomatoes last year.
This year, Mark has developed a system of trellises in his plot at the community garden. He has melons and squash growing up the trellises. Brilliant!! One of the reasons that we have not grown melons and pumpkins in our garden is space...they take up a lot of it...this idea of Marks is amazing...stay tuned and I will show you more as the vines grow.
Inspiration hit me hard this morning, not only in the gardens, but also at the Sunday Farmers Market in Red Bank, NJ.
Just look at all of this stunning produce!! From the golden beets to the purple onions...gorgeous!! Remember, you can click on any of these pictures to enlarge them.
Should you think that it was only the produce that caught my eye, you would be wrong. There were pies, quiche, breads, floral bouquets and of course the booth selling chain mail jewelry. Yes, for all of those who needed a chain mail hoody, I now know where to procure one. If you are LARPing in the woods this weekend (live action roll play), or just want to sword fight with your spouse...I found the perfect accessory...do you love this as much as I do?
Getting back to the garden this morning, green beans are up and ready to be picked.
Not having a bag or basket with us this morning, they went into my purse...yup...the one lined with polka dots...we will be having a green bean and potato salad with dinner tonight...steamed beans, boiled potato, covered in a mustard vinaigrette and sprinkled with capers...oh joy! Now, while we were at the garden this morning, our good friend Mark (remember him from the beginning of this post?) pointed out a most amazing sight.
Up in the tree on the edge of the community garden is a hornets nest. I wasn't sure if I could get a good shot of it, but I think I did it justice. How beautiful is this?? I am in awe that these not so little bees could make this thing and boy would I love to touch it and see what it feels like, but no, I won't. Want a close up? Okay
there it is. I am planning to have a copy made of this picture to hang in the office. Mother Nature...inspiring and amazing!
This post is being linked to Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays, Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday (miss you Sally, hope you are feeling better this week), and A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Thank you all for hosting these events.
♥, Susan
My gosh that nest looks like molten lava. I have a much smaller and a rather average one in my living room minus the hornets.
Oh wow. What a great idea to grow up. I just saw that Melissa at The Inspired Room rounded up an old pallet for going up only she used plantings in buckets and hooked them on. Now I'm thinking that rounding up unused pallets may be a way to grow veggies without the expense or time of making them.
Going back to enlarge your wonderful and colorful mosaics. (Your supper sounded amazing!)
Posted by: Vee | July 17, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Wonderful shots of all the veggies, I love tomatoes. The wasp nest looks very scary. Lovely photos and mosaic. I hope you have a great week!
Posted by: Eileen | July 17, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Yikes, that is some nest, and it's active!
I love going to the farmers market, we went to two this weekend and a local farm stand!
Your photos are beautiful and delicious looking ~ except the hornets! LOL!
Posted by: Ocean Breezes & Country Sneezes | July 17, 2011 at 05:32 PM
That's quite a market - something for everyone!
I love the shots of the hornets' nest - very scary place!
Posted by: Pondside | July 17, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Love all of the colorful produce and yummies! The hornet's nest is VERY scary! I have had them chase me stinging all the way...so I would not even try to get that close! Love your mosaics! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | July 17, 2011 at 05:37 PM
Wow, that nest is so beautiful -- really a natural work of art!
And oh, your veggies look wonderful! I'm getting hungry just reading this... :) xoxo
Posted by: mary | July 17, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Oh my gosh! That nest is amazing. Gorgeous crop!
Dropping by from Met Monday
Allison
Atticmag
Posted by: Allison | July 17, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Yes, Mother Nature is amazing. She can produce some amazing things. Have a wonderful week:)
Posted by: A Garden of Threads | July 17, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Market gardens at this time of the year are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. I wouldn't want to get too close to the hornets nest. V
Posted by: Valerie | July 17, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Oh my that is an amazing hornets nest! They are such mean critters. This farmer's market looks really great!
Posted by: ellen b | July 17, 2011 at 06:54 PM
I wouldn't fool around with a hornet nest...especially one that huge. My Dad was stung badly years ago on a golf course. Hornets can sting over and over again.
Posted by: Teacup Lane | July 17, 2011 at 07:35 PM
I'm impressed by all of your collages. Wow! The fresh vegetables look delicious, I'm inspired to bake a quiche this week, and the hornets nest does have a certain beauty to it -I wouldn't want it in my yard, though! :)
-Karen
Posted by: My Little Home and Garden | July 17, 2011 at 07:37 PM
I love Farmer's markets like this, Susan, and all their wonderful fresh produce and baked goods! I loved each mosic and the photos of the fantastic large hornet's nest! WOW!
Posted by: Pat | July 17, 2011 at 08:23 PM
I love the garden trellis idea! I only have a teeny-tiny strip of garden outside my patio and use the fence to train my peas. I'm hoping to train my cukes up the fence too. I'll be very interested to see how the squash and melons do since they're so heavy.
Amazing hornet nest! I've seen faux nests like that for sale online to keep hornets and wasps out of your yard.
Posted by: Susan | July 18, 2011 at 05:25 AM
What an amazing post! Would love to find a farmers mkt like this.
The trellis' idea is brilliant.
We used to have a couple of dormant hornets nests. One was formed around an old green metal light. The sort of light that used to be found on barns or posts at farms. It was beautiful. J kept it out in our garage at the farm. Unfortunately a playful little beagle came along and had a field day with it! It was interesting seeing all the layers.
Posted by: Pat@Back Porch Musings | July 18, 2011 at 05:36 AM
That hornets nest looks frightening... or at least the prospects of what may be inside is! Lovely produce, though. Gotta love the farmer's market!
Dinner sounds yummy. Enjoy it! Love you!
Posted by: Jenna Ericson | July 18, 2011 at 06:26 AM
Holy Moly that is one huge nest! I adore farmer's markets and your beautiful produce mosaics has me wishing for Saturday's market day here already.
Veronica
www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com
Posted by: Veronica | July 18, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Those are beautiful mosaics of the veggies and pies. They look so good! Love the nest too. Wow, it's huge! ~ Pamela
Posted by: Pamela Gordon | July 18, 2011 at 11:48 AM
hi Susan, I'm so glad I found you. Your blog is a treasure trove of beautiful veggies. Great photographs and mosaics. All the deserts look amazing. This post is making me ready to do some home cooking. Thanks for sharing, and I'll bet those Jersey tomatoes will be delicious.
~Emily
The French Hutch
Posted by: Emily | July 18, 2011 at 12:30 PM
I went to the Red Bank market yesterday and was disappointed that I didn't have my camera with me! Your photos are wonderful! I would love to check out your community garden one day too. Boy that is one big hornets' nest!
Posted by: Jen_from_NJ | July 18, 2011 at 02:50 PM
your market photos are great - wonderful color...but that wasp nest is scary! I'm allergic so wouldn't get anywhere near it - you are brave!
thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment
amy of four corners design
Posted by: amy | July 18, 2011 at 03:28 PM
I am so jealous about your green beans! Mine haven't survived the heat.
Posted by: Mama Zen | July 18, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Oh how I love meals with fresh from the garden veggies. Ours have been a bit slow this year. Have only had Spring veggies. Can't wait to pick that first tomatoe! Going to Farmers Markets is one of my most favorite things to do. That nest is amazing! You got a great shot.
Posted by: Jann Olson | July 18, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Thanks for sharing this great photos!
Have a nice week,
Markus
Posted by: Markus | July 18, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Very nice pictures. If you like, join us on *PicStory*. You are warmly invited! :) LG Tina
Posted by: Leckeres für Mensch und Katze | July 19, 2011 at 05:32 AM
Love your photos! What kind of camera are you using these days? Mine was dropped a couple of weeks ago and no longer works:( I miss it!
The nest is wild! What a great photo of it. I wonder what the photo/nest would look like printed on canvas? It's so very graphic-looking.
Posted by: jenny | July 19, 2011 at 07:53 AM
Hi Jenny, I am using a Nikon coolpix s630..it is very easy to work with and I use Picasa for editing. I am hoping to have some prints made of the picture of the nest...it is incredible and not discernible from the street...you have to know that it is there.Hope you are enjoying the summer...how are the wedding plans going?
♥, Susan
Posted by: susan ericson | July 19, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Produce looks great. The hornets nest is beautiful. I like to cook my potatoes in with the green beans - yummy. Nancy
Posted by: Porch Days | July 19, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Your farmers' market looks like a lot of fun, there is certainly a lot of variety.
That nest is cool but I wouldn't get too close.
Posted by: Squirrel Queen | July 19, 2011 at 03:43 PM
I have never seen a hornet's nest that big before! Amazing! Thanks for your bravery in getting such great shots to share with us. And your fruits and veggies look so yummy! I've yet to have a fresh, homegrown tomato this season and I am so aching for one. Soon ... very soon. Thanks for sharing!
~Lynn
Posted by: Lynn at Cottage and Creek | July 19, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Fabulous shots! And I am jealous of your friend's garden...Christine
Posted by: Christine | July 19, 2011 at 05:53 PM
I am amazed at the array of tomatoes and other vegetables that you showed. I love the trellis idea for the squash and such but that hornet's nest would have sent me packing. Hope it doesn't cause trouble for you or others.
Posted by: Ciaochowlinda | July 19, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Heavens to Betsy, that wasps nest does look like lava flow. Amazing find!
Joyce M
Posted by: Joyce M | July 19, 2011 at 08:48 PM
I love every photo in this post! Wonderful summer gardens and harvests. Incredible hornets nest!
Posted by: ldh | July 20, 2011 at 09:48 AM
I love going to the farmer's market and also growing my own veggies...but that hornet's nest...I'm glad it's no where near here!!
Posted by: Linda | July 20, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Susan,
Beautiful produce! Inspired trellises! Amazing hornet's nest! Delicious quiche!
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