Simple Pleasures

This has been a difficult month for many people I love dearly. So I find myself taking comfort in simple things -- small kindnesses; the sun shining through the southern windows, warm on my shoulders as I type; the glistening of last night's ice as it melts, like thousands of crystals strung on the trees and plants outside; and the greens that continue to grow in the midst of winter. In the freezing cold, they become ever-more tender and sweet. It's good to remember that.

Here are some photos taken Christmas Day when I peaked under the plastic hoops to see how things were doing. From top to bottom: mache, claytonia (miner's lettuce), baby bok choi, turnips, a row of chard (right) and turnips, Asian savoy, and braised mixed greens.