Friends, meet Sarah!
If you’ve ever been on our website (oh, hello!) in the past year or two, or read a newsletter, it’s true, you likely have encountered Sarah in the details, connecting technology with the fruition vision. And so many other people, oh yes! nothing happens in isolation…and yet, most sincerely, our website, lunches and lives in general are so much more fluid, beautiful & consistently marvelous with the care of Sarah Spector, not to mention her sparkling sense of humor.
What gives you hope in the world, Sarah?
I am forever amazed by how resilient human beings are.
What are your favorite ways of saying ‘thank you’?
I know this is a straight line but…actually saying thank you followed by the reason why I’m thankful. A meaningful thank you is expressed too little in our world.
What are your favorite ways of being thanked?
Hugs (and cookies)
What is your go-to comfort food?
Cookies (and hugs). Really though I love food so it’s hard to pick. Comfort foods…how about chicken noodle soup, pho, soup dumplings, matzo ball soup… Oh! There’s a soup theme apparently.
Favorite summer lunch?
Salad with freshly picked greens, basil, cucumbers, peas, {insert what’s ready to pick from the garden here} and add in almonds/chickpeas/olives. Mmmmm!
When did you first garden?
I have this early memory of being with my Dad in my Grandma Angie’s big garden. I think it must have been morning, the sunlight was dappled and everything was sparkly-dewey. My Dad picked then handed down to me a sprig of fluffy fennel…the texture and licorice taste was such an exciting magical surprise.
How have gardens grown you?
I love learning new things. With gardening, lessons and learning opportunities (both bitter and sweet) never cease.
Is there a quote/poem that is particularly meaningful for you right now?
When I need a reset my go-to guided meditation is by Thich Nhat Hanh called Mindful Breathing. It’s in the Insight Timer app and also here
What is the most unusual/unexpected creature encounter in your garden?
A few years ago my husband and I were standing outside admiring the pears and apples on our trees. I said, “We should pick these soon, they’re lookin’ good!” The next morning the trees were wiped clean. Walking to the trees in total confusion, a sudden cacophony broke out of chittering critters. From their hiding places in the surrounding forest they were clearly telling us Too Little Too Late Friends and Thank You! I imagined them rolling in a giant pile of fruit, Scrooge McDuck style. A lesson in sharing.
What is your go-to book recommendation these days?
I recently listened to The Girl with the Louding Voice, by Abi Daré. Such an inspiring courageous story. The narration of the audiobook version was wonderful.
Is there land/landscape/ecology that particularly home for you?
Water and trees are who I resonate strongly with. I feel renewed when I can be still in the forest amidst my tree friends. Give me a babbling stream to sit next to/play in…heaven.
How did you first connect with Fruition?
I first met Fruition many moons ago at a flower show in CT that my partner and I were also exhibiting at. We were both 5+ hours away from home but lived within 10 miles of each other. Through the years after, we’ve grown seeds & transplants from Fruition in our garden. In 2021, I was looking for a career change and magically Fruition was hiring!
What are you most excited to grow this next season?
Cardoons & Ashwagandha
What do you most struggle to grow in your garden?
Peppers
What is your favorite challenge your garden presents you?
Getting water to the garden can be a challenge. With the garden quite far from the house and no outdoor spigot, there has been a lot of rig-a-marole with rain barrels etc. Such a tiny hurdle in the grand scheme but a reminder that water is such a gift.
Sarah, we love you!
We love growing by your side, finding ways to bring the love of plants and humxns into alignment with the technological tools of our times…
…and we look so forward to how seeds will continue to grow us all ~
Sow Seeds & Sing Songs,
& the whole Fruition crew
Hi Sarah,
I too was excited to try growing cardoons this season. I did. They are huge. Maybe I missed my window. I tried cooking them and found them uninspiring. DO you have a great way to enjoy them?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Karin,
Here’s my Grandma Ang’s/Mom’s recipe for fried cardoons:
Use younger tender stalks (this might make the difference for you), de-string as some would celery and par-boil ~5″ cut pieces.
Batter is 1.5 cups flour, 1 egg (optional), 2 tsp salt, 2.5 tsp garlic powder, pepper, water to thin as needed.
Dredge groups of 2-4 pcs in batter and pan fry until golden on both sides, drain fritters on towels and slap the hands away of those trying to eat them faster than you can make them 🙂
Another way my Grandma would make them was to de-string, boil 1″ pieces to tender, and add to shells or elbows with olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper (and maybe sauteed breadcumbs!). Buon appetito!
Thankyou for this beautiful event this coming Sunday.
Just wondering if you sell seeds for sprouting in a jar.
Can your micro greens be used that way?
Happy winter
Jeanne Cease
Hi Jeanne, yes they can be used for sprouting in a jar.