Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Big Life

Please excuse me for a couple of weeks. Something wonderful and huge is happening around here in Thinking-Stomach-Land, and don't you worry, I'll let you know all the details as soon as I can.

In the meantime, I charge you with a task. Here is the context: this summer, I was lucky enough to stumble across COFEA (Co-op and Food Exchange of Altadena), a group of local gardeners who share and exchange their bounty with each other. This group has proven to me the accessibility of localism; one person doesn't have to grow everything! In fact, with some of the struggles I've experienced in my garden, I haven't been able to growly nearly as much as I would have liked. Luckily, basil grows like a weed for me and people seem to want it, and for big bouquets of basil, I've received some wonderful garden produce.

Here is the task: if you're a food-growing gardener, find someone or a group of someones with whom you can tag-team garden. Don't be limited by lack of space. Perhaps you can grow the chilies on a balcony while another person grows the tomatoes and a third grows the cilantro—it will be a salsa party every time you get together. COFEA uses yahoo groups to organize, but there are many different means of doing the same thing. Just find what works for you. I can't wait to hear your ideas, successes, and even the hiccups along the way of making this happen near you.

Part of a spread from a recent COFEA get-together. Everything is from someone's back (or front) yard.

7 comments:

Wendy said...

Challenge accepted. Will get looking for partners ASAP.
Will be on the edge of my sofa until I hear your big news!!!!

Dea Anne said...

Chritina, I accept your challenge. What a great way to encourage people to grow! I can't wait to hear your news. Your wonderful blog has been an inspiration to me in recent month in gardening, cooking, and writing. Thanks!

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

I'm not even vaguely gardening, Christina, but I am totally excited for you for whatever is currently transpiring. Very, very cool.

AJK said...

Thanks for sharing about COFE! I applied for the group membership too! I don't know if I qualify yet!

Kitchen Gadget Girl said...

I used to do something similar with a friend who had a big back yard - she was not planting anything, and I lived in a small condo, so I "leased" space in her backyard. As I recall, it cost me a bowl full of tomatoes!

Anonymous said...

I hope you're something is going well! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to see the results!!! Eeeeeeee! It makes me giddy with happiness :-)

Anonymous said...

This looks so cosy and homemade! :) I love such meals.

Amsie from Singapore.