A sweet garden plot

I dream of having a big garden. In my mind I go through the bevy of vegetables, fruit trees, and rows of dahlias, hollyhocks, sunflowers, lilies, english roses, irises, hyacinths, narcissus, peonies and tulips I'd love to plant. Every time my husband and I talk about where we'd eventually like to end up, I always seem to throw in growing conditions of the area and he gives a knowing chuckle. I think I'd move just about anywhere with him, as long as the climate would permit a large garden for our future family to enjoy and work in.

(A few shots from mom's garden last year)

Growing up, my mom (and often dad) worked long, hot days in our plots so we would always have a big garden, and some of my favorite memories are walking through and gleaning whatever edible goods and flowers were in season (especially the dinner plate sized dahlias and the super sweet raspberries and blackberries.) She used no pesticides, so we'd eat raspberries, apricots, apples, and peaches in bunches right off the bushes and trees. I always felt like a lucky girl. When I visit home, I still like to pop my head in the garden right away to see what's sprung up.

For a church activity, I wanted to make a dessert that reflected a short lesson I was teaching on planting good seeds and making good choices early in life that bring forth sweet fruit and strong roots later. I saw a similar cake in, I think, Better Homes and Gardens, and loved the idea.

Instead of their cake idea, I made a rich chocolate pudding base and the compost looking dirt is a mixture of what I had on hand: graham crackers (I didn't have Oreo's), cocoa powder, a little butter, and powdered sugar. I couldn't believe how much it looked like real dirt with the graham crackers! The veggies are made out of airheads and skittles and the seeds are sunflower.

For now, this dessert is the best "garden" I can come up with in this desert! I'm still reading up on when to plant and how to conquer the extreme temperatures.

Are you planting any plants this year? How about a garden?