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Quote of the Day: Nigel Slater

November 27th, 2011

The seed catalogs have become an annual source of inspiration, information, and temptation. Winter afternoons are often spent thumbing through seed pamphlets and trawling internet sites before putting in my order for violet-colored beans and fire-cracker red chilis. It is almost impossible not to get carried away. You could do worse than follow my habit of writing out your wants list in the late afternoon, then taking a red pencil to it the next day. A night’s sleep can often induce a reality check.

Nigel Slater Tender: A Cook and His Vegetable Patch

It has begun. The first seed catalog arrived in my mailbox earlier this week from High Mowing Seeds. Usually I don’t see one until a few weeks from now, like most things it gets earlier and earlier each year. I have yet to order from High Mowing Seeds, though I will this season. They carry seeds for ‘Roxy’ lettuce which I found at the local farmer’s market and really loved. That’s one of the great reasons to shop at your local farmer’s market if you’re a gardener; you might find great new varieties that will do well in your area.

I’ve still been feeling a bit under the weather from that cold that I picked up in Cincinnati and I’m not quite back to 100% yet. The worst part is that when you’re feeling bad your creativity goes out the window. When you have to be creative for your job, it makes everything really difficult. It’s been tough to keep the blog posts coming every day here on Chiot’s Run for the last two weeks and I apologize if they’ve been a little less than exciting and a little light in the photo area.

I haven’t been taking photos because I haven’t been feeling well. Usually I take between 25-100 photos each day, I’ve only taken 20 photos in the last 14 days – that tells you how I’m feeling. I dusted off my camera yesterday to take photos for this post and felt like my creativity was coming back. It’s still not quite back to “normal”, but enough to come up with a little something interesting for this post.

This seed catalog will get shelved with the others that arrive until January. I simply cannot make myself think about planning the garden and ordering seeds for 2012; there’s still too much to do in the garden and around the house for the holidays. Also, I’m still really tired and worn out from being sick.

Have you received your first seed catalog yet?

15 Comments to “Quote of the Day: Nigel Slater”
  1. Jennifer Fisk on November 27, 2011 at 9:56 am

    I have not received my first seed catalog but I would prefer they not come until after New Years. Thinking about the next season’s garden doesn’t mix well with Christmas trees. Getting the catalog to me first will not influence my ordering choices positively. Let’s have a slow down in the rush of seasons and savor what we have at the moment.

    Reply to Jennifer Fisk's comment

  2. tj on November 27, 2011 at 10:33 am

    …That is one of my fav’ things to do in the Winter is peruse Seed Catalogs. Like you, I can get a lil’ overzealous choosing what I would like to buy and plant in next year’s garden and as Nigel recommended, leave the list for the next day when you have safely returned from your Seed Catalog euphoria. :o)

    …I’m so sorry Susy to hear that you’re still not feeling better. Believe me when I say that we peeps will understand if you take some time off, ‘kay? I thought your posts here lately have been just fine. Awesome photos, valuable info’…nothing amiss here. ;o)

    …Enjoy your day, take care of yourself & get well soon!

    …Blessings

    Reply to tj's comment

  3. goatpod2 on November 27, 2011 at 10:35 am

    No, I don’t think we have!

    Amy

    Reply to goatpod2's comment

  4. Allison on November 27, 2011 at 10:38 am

    I don’t think we have either….but you are right, when they do come, they are addicting!!

    I have never heard of High Mowing before; I will have to check it out.

    Get Well Soon.

    Reply to Allison's comment

  5. denise on November 27, 2011 at 11:01 am

    no catalogs here yet. i sure love your hens and chicks though.

    feel better soon.

    Reply to denise's comment

  6. Nebraska Dave on November 27, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Susy, I received my first catalog about a week ago. Ha, I couldn’t wait to order seeds. They arrived a couple days ago but then I’m planning to experiment with basement salad greens under a grow light this winter. I’m hoping to greens for the salad by Janurary but some times I get distracted with other things so it might be a little later. It certainly is a joy to browse through the catalogs and dream about spring time planting. I like you have acquired a new property for gardening so this spring will definitely be a busy time.

    I hope you get well quick and have super inspired creativity. Have a great day.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

  7. Traci on November 27, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    HIgh Mowing is on my desk too. I have ordered from them before and have had a good experience. I am trying to expand my collection of catalogs and varities and have requested catalogs from a few companies I have never tried. I am looking forward to some quiet – most likely after- the holidays to browse through them all.

    I hope you feel better soon- and by the way, I wore my Ethel gloves for the first time yesterday!

    Reply to Traci's comment

  8. Marcia on November 27, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    Yes! Mine came in just a few days ago. It is the early bird issue where if you order now you can get 20-25% off. But it does not carry many organic or heirloom varieties though.

    Reply to Marcia's comment

  9. KimH on November 27, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    I had 2 come early this week.. Vermont Been Seed Company & Totally Tomatoes. I didnt request either, but come they did.. I love perusing thru the catalogs.

    Hope you’re feeling righter than rain soon, Suzy!!

    Reply to KimH's comment

  10. MAYBELLINE on November 27, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    No seed catalouges yet.
    You must be the type of person that must be forced to relax by getting sick. Let your body rest. It needs it.

    Reply to MAYBELLINE's comment

  11. Kathi Cook on November 27, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Relax and feel better! No seed catalogs yet. In the winter I like to force bulbs and make terrariums etc.,keeps me happy until spring.

    Reply to Kathi Cook's comment

  12. Texan on November 27, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    I have done more than look, yes I have ….. I have ordered a few packs of seeds that I knew for sure I wanted in the garden. Mostly tomatoes and peppers of which I start those seedlings inside in January here. So yep I have already given in and ordered! Going over and over the seed catalogs/Internet sites…. Picking out and ordering seeds has to be one of any gardeners most favorite things to do! Well that would be right with putting those little dumplings in their little seeds pots to start them or the garden rows :O)…

    Reply to Texan's comment

    • Susy on November 27, 2011 at 10:07 pm

      Getting a jump on it – look at you! It is good to order early, last year a few of the varieties I wanted were out of stock!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  13. Daedre Craig on November 27, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    I think I’ve gotten four so far. I’m really looking forward to getting the Baker Creek catalogue the most (because I got a gift certificate on my birthday)

    Reply to Daedre Craig's comment

    • Susy on November 27, 2011 at 10:06 pm

      What a fabulous birthday gift – note to anyone who loves a gardener!

      Reply to Susy's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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