A time to plant, a time to reap

Several days ago, I noticed a great deal of activity at my friend Sally's home.

With camera in hand, I decided to investigate.

Another of our neighbors, who happens to live half way between our two homes, was also there, acting silly as ever.

Of course the big news was Sally's new tree.  Some of you may remember she had her last tree removed, after which she and I visited a nursery and she picked out a new one.

The workers were just putting the finishing touches on the mulch around the tree when I showed up.

After they left, I took photos of her new tree, which looked distressed from where I stood.

She also ordered some new bushes.  They are a type of box elder.

They looked even better after the mulch had been applied and the leaves raked and removed.

Back at home, I decided with our unseasonably lovely weather, I would stop procrastinating and cut my herbs.  I managed to get two containers of dill this year, an herb I love for its culinary goodness.  I use it on everything from potatoes to pasta.  Of course, dill butter is my favorite and it doesn't take long to whip some up in my kitchen (once the butter is soft, that is).

I also love cilantro, which is an acquired taste.  When I first tasted it, I didn't care for it.  Now I can't get enough.  My neighbor and I have both been picking from these plants all summer.  Sage, however, is not something I love.  Amazing how well the sage does, especially since I never use it, or even like the taste.

The first three herbs were finally clipped back.  I only had three buckets, so had to set up drying spaces before I could harvest more herbs.

By the time I had cut the rosemary (on the left) and the lavender, my back was killing me.  I had more herbs to harvest, but they had to wait for another day.  The good news is, it managed to stay nice over that weekend.

This is Day 15 of AEDM.  Have you harvested or planted anything recently?