Gardens

Miguel and I both love gardens. Gardens of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, vegetables, potted plants. Recently I discovered a small breakfast nook at the back of Cafe Hidalgo, and I couldn't wait to share it with Miguel.

We went to Cafe Hidalgo for breakfast a couple of weeks ago and the back garden table was free. We sat back there and enjoyed the peaceful terrace. I ordered the same vegetable crepe I ordered the first time - tomatoes, cheese, and green olives. Miguel ordered eggs and ham. We were stuffed and Miguel commented on the quality of the food - taste, clean, nice presentation.

Knowing how Miguel really doesn't like to eat in restaurants, I was shocked when he suggested we go to Cafe Hidalgo again last week when we had to go into town in the morning. We found our garden table occupied but the waitress told us the people were about to leave, and so we said that if they left before our table had food on it, we would be moving.

And move we did. Once again enjoying the potted plants and the serene setting.

A garden is a commitment. A commitment to water, to trim, to replant, to nourish. It starts like this:

And it can end up like this:

The plants in the second picture were started across the street by Miguel, each being a baby of the parent plant in our garden, including the palm tree that sprouted from a coconut from the palm in the corner of the picture above.

The yellow-flowering vine covering most of the front of the house all comes from two vines that I planted at the side of the house. The vines create a living 'roof' over the path to the front door, and they cover the top of the wall on the second level. Our next door neighbor has asked us to allow the vines to creep over to his upper terrace - giving them shade and privacy from the street.

To the right of the gate there are cherry tomato plants growing, and we have harvested three bowls of sweet cherry tomatoes resulting in some delicious sauces. Last year Miguel grew cantaloupe and watermelon out there, sprouted from the seeds of our compost. We also have some pineapple tops that have taken root, so I am hoping we'll end up with some lovely pineapple plants, and maybe even some sweet honey pineapples!

Sometimes I feel like concrete is pouring out of every nook and cranny of this island, but if you take the time to really look around, you will find lots of signs of life. Animals, insects, birds, reptiles, and plants - all living life here on this tiny island.