Dear Slogger's Journal, I have been very lax these past few days, because I have been so full of Thanksgiving receiving that I haven't made it out to the garden until Saturday! Alas, the yard sales are over for the season so I was able to get out there early and contemplate the lighting of the Goddess Garden.

After buying more strings of lights, we dug in our heels in the afternoon and got the garden set up so that we could sit and watch the fire in the chimanea, then we began adding glass houses to the garden. Kuan Yin's winter palace was moved into place and Robert placed her at the entrance of the garden. She looks beautiful there, and today Su.Sane placed the evergreen cuttings and lights around her.

Two nativitys were set up today, one is Su.Sane's sculptures and the other is one she has had forever. They are both in glass houses surrounded by cuttings and minature lights. They are sooooo sacred and reach deep into the heart and bring peace.

As the sun went down tonite, Robert lit a fire and we sat and gazed at all that was created today. It will be our Solstice and Christmas holiday venture and sacred space.

Yesterday, Su.Sane and I spread the 40# bag of lime pellets and the remainder of the fertilizer throughout the large garden. If time permits, I'll get some more for the smaller gardens and front beds. I keep thinking the snow and cold will be here soon, but we keep having 50 degree temps....it has allowed a lot of prep time, so I am thankful!

Listened to Paul Parent this a.m., and got some good insights about:
1. remove spent canes on raspberry bushes now, the shoots only produce fruit for one season, the next season they only have foliage, ...that makes sense (I like the way he explains the reasons for doing what you do!) You remove the branches that have "hats" from the old blooms. I am sure this holds true for the blackberry bushes, so I will do some real trimming of them, if not now, in the early spring. I want our blackberries back....yum!
2. 0/20/0 fertilizers encourage root system growth, use in late April.

Well Journal, my brain is about used up, I still have some circuit calculating to do! Please don't give up on me being more regular in my entries...I was busy growing myself today :)

Sandra