Yes, we were growing it in the basement......

It's not surprising, really. The naturalist movement is associated with certain behaviors that don't appeal to everyone. Behaviors that can put one into a particular state of mind. It all started back in the winter.....

Chef Thom poured over the Seed Savers' catalogue all winter long. He dog eared pages, circled things, researched and dreamt of all that our suburban yard could become. When the seeds finally arrived, he couldn't help himself! He planted them in the basement! We have two windows in our unfinished basement. And, I have to be honest, we have the most unique basement in America (once you look past the rarely used elliptical runner). We have three hams hanging under the stairs in various stages of becoming proscuitto. We have enough platters to cater an extravagant party for the entire Royal Family. We have more wreaths than we have doors. We have already purchased half of this year's Christmas gifts (guess which one of us is ahead of schedule). We have our "root cellar" of local food supplies (onions, garlic, squash). And, then, we have a large, folding table covered with tiny patches of dirt and sprouting seedlings.

It reminds me of childhood when you plant a flower seed in a Styrofoam cup and pray, pray, pray that the seed turns into a beautiful flower by Mother's Day, least you be the only child in your neighborhood giving your mother a cup of plain dirt. (A cup of dirt always looks great next to a homemade card, of course).

But, I digress. We've been watching the seedlings sprout. And, to ease them into their new outdoor environment, Chef Thom made use of his blue boyhood wagon. Each day he rolls the seedlings in and out of the garage for the appropriate amount of sunlight and rain. He's been moving our composted soil to beds made for the seedlings.

This week we reached a new level of status with the neighbors by having three tons of highly stinky, composted soil delivered to the house. It's in a giant pile on the driveway (except for the parts that have been scattered across the lawn). This dirt covered yard has allowed us to meet neighbors we would never have met in the past! They are fascinated with the dirt.....and the blue wagon with plants.

It's all part of our carefully crafted plan to convert everyone to locavore living!!