Another bumper crop!

 It finally feels like Autumn here, and colder weather means the garden is going to wind down. That's fine with me - I've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to even walk into my back yard in a month! 

Back in March, the garden started out like this. 

Within a short time, everything started to fill out. Notice the scallions shooting out of the soil on the lower left side of the garden... when I cut the root end off of a scallion, I stick it in the dirt. A few weeks later.... fresh scallions! It's a never ending supply, and I sadly think about all of the roots I've thrown out over the years. 

Later in the summer, the tomato plants started to dominate everything, producing huge amounts of fruit. 

Then things got crazy! 

The yard was consumed with tomato plants taking over! 

Seriously, I froze as many tomatoes as I gave away, 

and this might have been the best crop ever.

The basil plants are the perfect combo in the garden.  

Sadly, it's getting time to pull out most of this, and wait for spring.

A friend of mine told me the other day that his neighbor treats his tomato plants as perennials, and that he has some plants that are over ten years old. I've never heard of that, but instead of pulling my plants out in a few weeks, I am going to cut them back, mulch them to protect them from the colder temps. 

It'll be interesting to see how they fare over the winter. I'll keep you posted!

Huge Tool Swap Meet this Sunday, October 18!

 If you're looking to add some tools to your woodshop, you'll want to swing by my shop this Sunday morning! The sale starts at 10:00 - please don't show up too early!

There are some terrific items for sale! This is just a partial list - there is too much stuff to list!

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Grizzly 14" Bandsaw with riser kit

14" Jet Bandsaw with Carter Guides

Delta Scroll saw

Workbench tops

Live Edge slabs and misc. wood (some amazing pieces here!)

Delta Midi Lathe

Clamps (you can never have enough!)

Rockwell Lathe (ancient, but a perfect starter tool!)

Senco Nail guns (brand new, never opened!)

Router bits galore

Jet 10/20 drum sander

Bosch router with fixed and plunge base

Tons of hand tools

Hardware

Finishes

The address is 2267 West Gowan, in North Las Vegas. We'll be set up in the parking lot - feel free to bring a table and sell your own stuff, too!

A walk down memory lane....

2005 -  it seems like yesterday!

Back in 2005, I was interviewed by Ann Jackson about being a female studio furniture maker. To be truthful - I remember being interviewed, but not really what we spoke about. At that time, my father's death was relatively fresh in my mind, and I'd recently moved across the country to start a new life. It was a year of change and new goals. I was a kid!

So ... who's Ann Jackson? 

You may not know her, but without a doubt, almost every woodworker knows her family. Her dad was Nordy Rockler... and if you've been working with wood for more than a minute, you've heard of Rockler Woodworking. 

It's probably the most well known woodworking supplier, with stores in almost every state, and an online presence that is to be admired. 

She's a fascinating woman - building Rockler Woodworking into a global woodworking retailer.  Want to be inspired? Click here and read this article about her woodworking accomplishments. 

Back to our interview - Ann contacted me in 2005 about being part of her Masters thesis, where she interviewed nine female woodworkers about their work, their inspiration, and more. 

Fast forward 15 years - she re-interviewed us again, to see how we'd changed. Were we still making furniture? Had our values, styles or influences changed? Her study explores the progress of our careers over the course of 15 years, and ...  not just because I'm one of the subjects, but I think it's fascinating. 

And to be included in the same group of woodworkers that include Roseanne Somerson (one of my idols) and Cindy Vargas...well, be still my heart!

Here's a link to Ann's thesis - it includes the interviews of all the artists, and their unique views of work, life and more. On the left side of this webpage, you can click on the thesis to read it, or download it.