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| Big, bright and beautiful! |
Yesterday there were so many buds on the Peonies. Today the very welcome sight of large pink blossoms appeared! It is a really good thing that the plants were staked yesterday afternoon. The big bright blossoms were able to withstand the heavy rain this morning.
Looking forward to seeing more bright flowers this weekend!
Happy Gardening!
Last weekend the tear shaped saved Zinnia seeds were planted in two of our gardens. It was time to get them in the ground! About 6 days later 2 small sprouts popped up. Today, there are more green sprouts making appearances. Planting the seeds saved from the last year's crop of brightly colored Zinnia flowers is a tradition here. In a few weeks time the sprouts will get stronger, have more leaves and buds will appear. Then, so much color!
Looking forward to seeing this year's crop of colorful flowers that attract the Monarch Butterflies and the Hummingbirds.
Happy Gardening!
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| Getting started! |
This past weekend it was wonderful to spend time outdoors- working with plants. On one day the annual plants had been purchased, so the next day it was time to get started. Potting soil, garden gloves, pots and stones for the bottom of the pots for drainage were found.
A brightly colored hanging Geranium is a traditional Mother's Day gift for me. Then, who can resist pairing yellow and orange Marigolds together in one pot? I sure cannot. They become my Orange Pineapple Marigolds! Lavendar/Pink flowers of the Geraniums also add so much color to an area. "Mosquito" plants also found their spots in our yard. The Zinnia seeds saved from last year's crop were sown. Click here for Directions for saving Zinnia Seeds.
It's the colorful month of May and it was good to get started! There is more to be done this week!
Happy Gardening!
Enjoy!
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| Minestrone Soup (File Photo) |
With this damp chilly weather that we are experiencing here in Western MA it is a great time to prepare a batch of Minestrone Soup for dinner. You know, a bowl of soup that is just filled with veggies. With every spoonful the chill of the day is gone for a while. It is so easy to prepare, too! All of the ingredients are placed in a large pot and after the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer. Simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally. What could be easier?
I always freeze the extra portions in freezer containers to enjoy in the future. It does freeze so well. There will be other chilly days in our future and you will be able to take portions out of your freezer to defrost. Just add extra chicken broth when defrosting/ reheating. This soup tastes so good on a chilly day!
Click here for my recipe for Minestrone Soup.
Enjoy!
Yummy!
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| Best Irish Soda Bread (File photo) |
Add Buttermilk to your grocery list this week! It is one of the ingredients in Irish Soda Bread. You probably have tasted that delicious bread that is enjoyed on St. Patrick's Day. It is filled with raisins and oh so good! When you are thinking about your grocery list, add Raisins, too!
One year when I wanted to bake an Irish Soda Bread for this holiday I "googled" for a recipe that used 1 Cup of Buttermilk. The recipe I quickly found sounded so easy. I was intrigued by the hint of soaking the Raisins in hot water and then draining them before adding the Raisins to the dough. Oh, I was hooked to try the recipe. After baking the bread and letting it cool the first bite quickly told me that I would never search for another recipe for this bread again. It was that good! It was the Best Irish Soda Bread that I had ever tasted. This bread was filled with plump Raisins and it was moist. Yum!
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| Cooled, Sliced and Ready to Eat! (File Photo) |
I have also learned that slices of this baked bread freeze very well. It is a treat to take a slice out of the freezer a month later and enjoy it at breakfast.
Bake an Irish Soda Bread to enjoy on the holiday when so many of us wear the color green.
Enjoy!
Yummy!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
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| Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat at the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA |
On the grounds of the Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA there are large beautiful bronze statues of characters in his books. It's always a treat to walk around these statues! The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is an interesting museum located at this beautiful complex of art, science and history museums.
Walking onto the grounds The Lorax greets visitors. 
The Lorax
Looking across the grass more bronze statues are in view. Walking in the garden brings them all closer.
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| Green Eggs and Ham |
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| Horton and Friends |
Our outdoor thermometer reading is 62°F and the sun is shining this afternoon in Western MA! A great afternoon to enjoy a walk outside. At this time of year the Crocuses begin to pop up. Looking very closely sprouts of the first Crocus are visible! Hmmm- did a deer also spy this little gem?
Spring is just around the corner!
Enjoy!
