Dig for Victory

It is an auspicious day here in Oxford.  According to internet meteorologists, temps climbed into the high 20s centigrade, which, for those of you in the civilized world, translates to nearly 80 degrees, fahrenheit!  Though summer officially began earlier this month, heat in England, I'm told, doesn't happen often, ever.  Even during clasically hot months like July & August, a typical day in Oxford still measures around 65 degrees, maybe reaching 68-69 at the hottest point of the day, but never lingering there for long, & almost always cooling with a bit of precipitation.  Having grown up in Houston, I really enjoy England's mild climate, but I'm very much in the minority.  People here complain about the cold & rain constantly, so a 'hot' day like today is reason for excitment!

Since the steamy weather warrants something special, I thought it fitting to mark the occasion with a post celebrating Fi's horticultural achievements.  A few weeks ago, she planted a small garden in pots & boxes on the landing outside our front door.  It's quite a pretty sight & has made walking in & out of the apmt a considerably pleasanter affair.

 The garden's composed of nearly everything a respectable city kitchen should have fresh on hand: herbs of all shapes & sizes, tomatoes, zucchini, beans, peas, arugula, & even a couple strands of twinkling lights.  Altogether, these make for a delightful medley of greenery.

 
Now, it's early yet, so the harvest to date has consisted of little more than a handful of rocket, but the tomato plant's sheltering a couple clusters of grape-sized globes beneath its leaves, & the zucchini's blossoming, so I have high hopes for later summer.  As time passes, I'll try to post pictures of the fruits.  In the meantime, hasn't she done well?  Victory!!!