Mucho Mache

There's nothing more gratifying than a homegrown meal.
Black eyed peas, north Georgia candy roaster squash with cilantro, and mache:

 

Big ol' candy roaster squash before roasting:

 pretty mache up-close:

 and in the garden with spinach:

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Happy New Year! Stay tuned for spring, but I will continue to check in sporadically from time to time.
I miss the garden in the winter, but overall I am thoroughly enjoying the break. As are my muscles. The absolutely gorgeous weather we had here on Saturday gave me a chance to do some garden cleanup I had neglected. My body is still sore, and I'm not talking about major digging or anything, just odds and ends around the garden. Suffice to say, once spring rolls around, I'm going to have to be more disciplined about taking breaks and stretching.
The warm winter has meant my winter garden has come through like a champ so far. 

Arugula

 Leeks

Red turnips

 Spinach and mache

A field of cilantro--perfect for attracting beneficial insects when it bolts.

Fava beans: not sure if they will make it to spring, but if I get a head start and finally get a decent harvest, I'll be thrilled!

 Collards (planted too late to reach maturity before winter, but hanging in there!

 lettuce:

 

 And some recent harvests:

 

 I'm calling it now: 2012 will be the year of cool-season vegetables!