Tuesday, March 12, 2024

A Story- "Once Upon A Time" and Crocuses


A Story

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time there was a little girl.  At bedtime, she always read her story books.

As the years went by, the sunshine of wonderful people and animals nurtured her.  Growing-green challenges and red-fired adventures added interest to her life.  There were dark purple times, too, sad and difficult.  This life was like stained glass, and reading was the lead between the pieces.

When she was old, she started to write a story a stained-glass window made from the rich, bright, dramatic colours of her life.  Books she read were the lead between the panes.  Once upon a time.


My crocuses are not up yet but it is nice to see a picture of them in anticipation.  Over the years, chipmunks have reduced the number of crocuses I have in the garden but there are still some that they miss. 


Tuesday, March 5, 2024

A Story - "Work" and Snowdrops

A Story

Work

The scribe memorized the decree stating that the priests supported the king.  It seemed like a waste of time to write out what was obvious to all.  Adding to the burden, he would have to transcribe it into, not just one, but three languages.  No mistakes would be tolerated.  The task would demand all his concentration and energy.  He groaned as he began his arduous work.

Two thousand years later, in London, a middle-aged tourist gazed at the Rosetta Stone awed by its beauty and importance.  Here was the key that finally unlocked mysteries of the ancient Egyptian world.





My snowdrops (Galanthus) are blooming.  What a welcome sight at the end of winter.  Some years they have even bloomed under snow, but this year the snow is gone and they are in full view.  I have some double ones which come out a little later.  They are pretty as well but not as vigorous as the single ones.  The single ones also multiply more quickly.  I like to put the snowdrops in an area that I can see from a window so I can enjoy them even if the weather is dreary.

I have had trouble with chipmunks eating crocus bulbs but I don't have any trouble with anything eating the snowdrops so that's another good reason for me to have them.

They are delicate, petite flowers and if you look closely at them, you will see how pretty they are.


Tuesday, February 27, 2024

A Story: "Wedding Bells" and Primula

A Story 

Wedding Bells

"Weddings: great places to meet guys."

Sandy had her eye on a guy when an attractive young woman came up to her.

"Hi, I'm Lily.  I love your dress.  You must work in a creative field."

"I do.  I'm a fashion designer."

"Fabulous! I'm a visual artist."

The conversation took off like a mustang galloping over the range.  Sandy felt like she'd known Lily for years.  They exchanged phone numbers and hugged before Lily finally dashed off to find her boyfriend.

When Lily reached Sandy's chosen one, she gave him a big kiss.  Sandy's heart sank.

When was the next wedding?



 


Primulas are one of my favourite spring flowers.  My zone 4 garden is just barely warm enough for some of them. They are considered a short lived perennial even where it's warmer.  Ones I have bought in stores will only make it through one or two winters.



However, some that I have started from seed have come back for many years.


This lovely yellow one was given to me as a plant several years ago and it is very hardy and vigorous.  I have split it a number of times so I have quite a patch of it now.  It's a bit of mutant, though, because it has multiple crowns that all bloom.  Most  plants have one or only a few crowns.

Primulas like to have spring sun and summer shade like a lot of spring blooming flowers.  They do well in the shade of deciduous trees.  They need to be fed compost every year and should be watered if it's been dry. Apart from that they are pretty easy and not prone to pests or diseases.  They are easily split into more plants.  In fact, that will keep them vigorous for longer.


This year I bought Primula Lighthouse Mix from William Dam Seeds in Ontario.  I have been happy with their seeds in the past - they are never treated and they all germinate well. The package of primula seeds contained 12-15 seeds according to the package.  13 have sprouted so that's great.  They are slow to grow so they likely won't have time to bloom this spring.  I will pot them up and leave them on the deck where they will get morning sun and maybe they will bloom in the summer.  If not, then next spring. I'll plant them in the ground at the end of the summer so they can settle in before winter.





Tuesday, February 20, 2024

A Story -"The Boring Conversationalist" and Bougainvillae



A Story

The Boring Conversationalist

Barbara felt lonely a lot of the time.  She knew she should get out more but it was challenging facing people.  She felt self-conscious because she was such a boring conversationalist.  She didn't have much energy because of her chronic condition; her brain brain fog made remembering things difficult.  If someone asked about her week, she usually drew a blank.  Later she would think:  I showered, I did laundry.  How pathetic is that.

One day a widow called, wanting to discuss some problems.  After their conversation, she thanked Barbara.

"You're such a good listener.  I feel so much better."











The Bougainvillae is blooming again.  Not as well as other years. I need to repot it and give it more fertilizer.   It has another bunch of blooms higher up but it is definitely looking scragglier this year.  I was looking online to see where you can buy bougainvillae plants.  Home depot lists them but not available right now.  Pick Ontario, an umbrella site for Ontario growers, says they become available in March which makes sense because that's when they are blooming.  You probably won't see them with the spring plants at garden centres because by then they have stopped blooming.  It doesn't have the prettiest plant habit because it is actually a tall shrub but the bright flowers are a welcome sight in February.

 

Monday, February 12, 2024

A Story -"Indolent" and Easy Orange Chicken with Pecans

A Story:

Indolent

"Indolent!" his wife exclaimed.  "How does that word in any way apply to me?"

He looked at her slim body toned by regular trips to the gym, her stylishly cut hair and her tailored suit perfect for her position as partner in a progressive law firm.

"Definition of indolent: lazy, careless, slow-moving.  That is so not me."

"He didn't mean it as an insult."

"Well, it sure felt like one."

Her husband tried to look supportive but found it hard to dampen his smile.

"The doctor was just describing your cancerous thyroid tumour.  Be glad it's not ambitious."


 


Easy Orange Chicken with Pecans

1 cooked chicken breast cut into chunks

1 chopped onion

1 cup orange juice

2 tbsp molasses stirred into 1/2 cup warm water

1 tsp ground ginger
 
1/2 tsp black pepper

2- 3 tbsp chopped pecans

Saute the chopped onion in butter or oil.

Add the orange juice, molasses with water, ginger and pepper.  Salt to taste.

Add the chicken chunks and simmer together for about 30 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavours.

Serve with rice and top with some chopped pecans. 

This makes two medium size servings.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

A Story - "Election Game" and mini African Violet

A Story:

Election Game

The spectators wiggle impatiently in their seats.  Finally, the incumbent makes his first dramatic serve.  The opposition zings it into the far corner out of reach.  Fired up with moral outrage, the incumbent slams an ace.  In a new volley, the opposition suddenly lobs a short ball and the incumbent falls trying to catch it.  The pace of the game picks up.  Blasting forehands and fiery backhands send the ball criss-crossing, zig-zagging over the court.  The spectators have difficulty following the play.

At last on Election Day, the winner is announced.  

The spectators are already restless anticipating the next game.




I bought this little African violet on impulse at Walmart the other day. I've never seen such a small one in bloom.  Must be some special potion they give them at the greenhouse. 



The pot, which is only 3" at its widest at the middle, is very clever.  The top pops off the bottom half so that you can water from below.  Lots of good drainage holes. At a quick glance when the pot is together it looks like it is ceramic.  I like this little plant because it can sit comfortably on the windowsill.  Right now the sun is a bit too bright (I think some leaves got a bit of sunburn because I left it on the windowsill) but it will work well later in the season when the trees leaf out and block some of the sun.

African violets do not like to sit in water.  You can wait until they wilt a little and then give them some water.  Fertilize monthly when they are blooming. Bright light is good but not direct sun.  They do fabulously under grow lights.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

A Story: "Adventure" - and Barley Carrot Soup

A Story

Adventure

Mary had discussed at length her possible adventure with her friends. It was all a bit confusing.

"We'll describe it as though it was the weather," said her friends.

"Lots of sunny days.  Balmy and warm," Gloria smiled dreamily.

"Oh, the hurricane was terrible! I was buffeted from all sides," quavered Cheryl.

"The rain just soaked down in dreary misery, day after day," sighed Donna.

"The breeze was so fresh and energizing. I've never felt so alive," enthused Moira.

"But how would I experience it?" Mary worried.

Only one way to find out.

Nine months later everything changed.
 




Barley Carrot Soup

This is a vegetable soup but you could add meat to it if you wanted.

Saute 1 chopped onion in oil or butter

Add 1 1/2 cups rinsed barley.  Cover with 2" of liquid, either broth or water.

Add 1 1/2 cup coarsely chopped carrot

Add 1/2 cup chopped celery

Add 1 tbsp chopped parsley, dried or 3 tbsp fresh

Season with black pepper and salt.
Simmer for about 30 minutes.  

Add 1/2 cup chopped green or yellow beans - frozen work well.

Simmer another 5 min. or so.

Serve with some parsley garnish.