Our irises started blooming about a week ago in back and a few days ago in front. They’re almost a month early this year. Usually they are at they’re peak in mid-May, right around time for K-State graduation and Mother’s Day. This year, they will probably be at their peak in about a week. There are lots of buds ready to pop open. These white irises really glow planted in front of sand cherry bushes! I just love them whenever they bloom. Expect more pictures in the weeks to come. 
Monthly Archives: April 2012
Petunia Whimsy
Some plants just invite whimsical accents. Here a pot of flouncy petunias, nestled by a pixie statue, adorns our side porch. The key to not going overboard is to place just a few pieces of garden art here and there by informal plantings. On the other hand, if you want to go overboard … enjoy!
Carob Brownies for Dogs
Abbey, Penny & Peachy approved!
1 c. brown rice flour
3/4 c. quick cooking rolled oats
3 T. toasted carob powder, sifted
1/2 c. creamy low sugar peanut butter (without artificial sweeteners)
2 lg. eggs
1 T. unsulphured blackstrap molasses, optional
about 1/2 c. cold water
(1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8″ square baking pan with vegetable oil.
(2) Combine all of the ingredients, except the cold water, in a large bowl. Beat in enough water to form a soft but not wet batter.
(3) Press batter onto bottom of baking pan. Bake for around 15 minutes or until firm to the touch. Cool on a wire rack and then cut into squares. Place left-overs in zip top bag and freeze.
We’ve Been Flocked
As a fundraiser for the Audubon Society, Gaia Salon is flocking local yards with pink flamingos. Someone flocked us. Hmm. We have a who done it on our hands. The front yard, even the fountain is full of these joyful pieces of yard art. Don’t expect them to stay, though. Tomorrow they’ll be moved to the yard of some other unsuspecting souls.
NY Style Desserts
Yum! Yum! I just got done making Black & White Cookies and Miniature New York Style Cheesecakes for a NY-themed party. The miniature cheesecakes are from my Confectionately Yours: Cookies, Candies & Confections (p 6). To make them into NY-style cheesecakes I topped them with a sweetened sour cream layer beneath the Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache (p. 107). 
Lovely Walks
A theme to which I am apt to return time and again is lovely walks in the neighborhood. One thing that I enjoy is looking at all of the historic architecture, especially the churches. Here is a photo that I took of St. Paul’s constructed 1859-1867. It’s a lovely morning for a walk … 
Dinosaur Easter Eggs
To make these fun colored eggs …
(1) Gather together several glass jelly jars. Put a teaspoon of white vinegar into each. Add two drops of food coloring, using a different color for each jar. Add just enough hot water so that when you put an egg into the jar, it will be covered.
(2) Place hard boiled white eggs (in the shells) into the jars. Let them sit for a few minutes, then move them around from jar to jar until you are happy with the base color.
(3) Place several eggs in a glass or stainless steel bowl. Drop food coloring directly on the eggs. Pour a small amount of vinegar over eggs. Swirl the bowl around. Lightly scratch the eggs with the tines of a fork.
(4) Repeat step (3), using different colors. When you are pleased with the designs, you are done!
Note: it is a good idea to wear gloves when handling eggs. Have fun!
The Virtuous Bleeding Heart
“There are many things that catch your eye, but only a few that catch your heart …”
Twelve years ago, I planted two bleeding hearts (dicentra spectabilis) by the front steps, pink to one side, white to the other. The pink was the showier of the two but disappeared a few years ago for some unknown reason. The white, more petite and less showy, keeps returning. Though it goes dormant as soon as summer’s heat sets in, I appreciate the subtle beauty of my white bleeding hearts while in bloom. 
Stop and Smell the Lilacs
One of my favorite lilacs is Charles Jolie. The one that we have is currently blooming and smells so delightful from the front porch. It has quite a history too. I originally planted it at our old house in 1997. Then when we moved here in 2000, I dug it up and brought it with us. About five years later, it developed lilac borers and we cut it down to the ground leaving only sucker shoots. It took a few years, but the shrub rejuvenated and has been replete with blossoms the last few Aprils. Oh, yes, and you really should smell it.
A Taste of Morning 