"Grow where you're planted."
Since age seven, my home away from home has been nestled in good 'ole Utica, Mississippi. For thirteen summers, I grew up at Henry S. Jacobs Camp, where I learned the core of my friendships, passions and Southern Judaism. This past Friday, my family and Alex drove four hours to the camp gates for a weekend of outdoor fun at a "southern pace," as the camp slogan reads.
Assistant Director Gary Brandt, who lives on camp property 365 days of the year, took his creative and outdoorsy skills to practice with his very own garden. He now grows herbs, fruits and vegetables where he, too, was planted: at Jacobs Camp. Every summer night during free time, campers join Gary to harvest vegetables, weed plants, and tend to the garden (and play with chickens!). What a remarkable lesson to teach kids at camp.
Before we headed back to Memphis, Gary took me garden pickin'. The greenness of his backyard was unreal. His garden is full of flavors, from swiss chard and eggplant to six types of mint and watermelon! We quickly filled tupperware with heaps of ingredients for future recipes.
Over the next few weeks, I will be posting dishes and drinks with basil, mint, eggplant, chard and other greens. I am still crafting recipes, so if you have any suggestions, comment below.
Thank you, Gary, for sharing your garden with me!