Wordless Wednesday: The Shanghai Cricket

Shanghai Cricket

Cool sightings @ the Orchid Show.

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More goodies...

Praise the Lard

Our bird looked nothing like this, but we still had a whole lotta fun.

 At 11 a.m., on Thanksgiving morning, I received an email from our hostess saying they were under the weather and the big gathering was cancelled.

 "There is sickness in our house." So sayeth the subject line. Suddenly there's excitement in mine. You see, my daughter and I love to cook. Being up to our elbows in flour and spices brings out the best in both of us.

A few mishaps along the way ~ from scratch pie crust. (The birds loved it!)

 From my perspective, Thanksgiving dinner is not very difficult to prepare. All you need is 10 pounds of butter and enough pans to cook up a million yummy side dishes you never allow yourself to eat at any other time during the year.

 It's mostly just a timing issue, and it all hinges on one thing: how long it takes to roast that massive bird.

 So, slight panic in the beginning. It's noon! How can we make this work?

 We stripped out of our comfy jammies, no time for showers. Bee-lined it to Whole Paycheck Whole Foods to see if, by chance, one lonesome, fresh, not frozen, turkey might still be in the display case. (I picked Whole Foods because it's the least frequented store in our town, therefore the odds might be in our favor.)

Beginnings of a Peach Melba Pie. (This one turned out okay.)

 We found one, frozen, 15-pounder that we snatched from the unsuspecting hands of two 20-somethings, who at noon, on the big day, were wandering aimlessly around the market trying to plan a meal.

Desperate times. Desperate measures:
The girls asked me what size turkey could feed 12 people, but since there was only one 15-pounder left, I steered them toward a larger bird. And, selfishly placed the only frozen* possibility in our shopping cart.

So, I guess you might say that, on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for strangers who trust me.

Homestyle Rosemary Swiss Cheese Bread

* Did you know that you can safely roast a frozen turkey? Why, yes you can. We did. And, we're not dead. This isn't the first time we've been behind that proverbial 8-ball. If you don't stuff that bird, it will still be done in plenty of time to put on a fancy feast.

Impatiently waiting for his fair share of the Crab Appetizer.

Here's hoping you all had a marvelous holiday. We're thinking, from now on, we won't fret about our shopping list until the 11th hour. Because all of this frantic scurrying around turned about to be a whole lotta fun.




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The Oxygen Garden

Favorite annuals are dragged indoors to populate the [indoor] Oxygen Garden.

 Temperatures have warmed. First snows are a distant memory.

 I spent a muddy afternoon inspecting the soggy [outdoor] gardens. Preparing for winter. Something I should have done long before that first arctic blast. Because chopping the ice off of a badly abused lawnmower, and schlepping stiff as a board, frozen hoses into the garage is really not the wisest of ideas.

Sunny windows are filled with brightly RE-blooming Butterfly Orchids

 But I got 'er done. And, I was only a month overdue. Which is actually pretty good for me!

This is the very first Orchid I ever purchased. 2009. Still gracing me with happy flowers.

 Do you make lists? I make one every morning. While savoring a cup of cowgirl coffee, I jot down all kinds of things that need doing. Pressing things! Important things! Things that cannot wait a moment longer.

I've discovered the key to plentiful Orchid blooms is way more sunshine than the pros recommend.

 And, I'm hugely committed to this list! Right up until I get a phone call. Where I'm offered something more interesting to do.. And, well... you know how this story ends.

Sometimes I wonder if the soul purpose of that ever-growing to-do list is simply to bring out the Catholic guilt in me.

Christmas Cactus enjoy a cup o' tea almost as much as we do. Left over tea = fab fertilizer.

 'Tis the season for me to be highly energetic in the Oxygen Garden, though. Coaxing and coddling all kinds of indoor blossoms who clean up the air and add delightful color to every nook and cranny.

 I had dinner with a friend last week, who said she, too, has an indoor Oxygen Garden, which consists of a Spider Plant. {Seriously?} Hopefully, I talked her into getting more creative. Hopefully these pictures have inspired you, too. Because we all need beauty. Especially on a cold winter's eve.

Searching for some new ideas for flowering houseplants?

You're in luck!

I was given this {terrific!} book to read and review and now I'm giving it to you.

Just leave me a comment ~ here, or connect with me on Twitter,  Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram.

After a few dozen glasses of champagne during the Thanksgiving holiday, we'll randomly pick a commenter out of the virtual hat.
 

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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day ~ November 2012

Heaps of snow, outdoors & Plumeria Buds, indoors.

 I'm coming up empty on this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

 The outdoor gardens are buried under a chilly drift of snow. Indoors, the house is filled with Coming Attractions...

Orchid Bud

Buds, buds and more buds...

Been waiting around all afternoon for this little lady to open up ~ desperately wanted to show off one new goodie. I suppose she'll do so tomorrow, when it's too late to claim her as a bloom day bloom.

Apologies for so many lame photos.

I'm just wandering around the house documenting what's happening. So many buds on this Orchid, she's drooping under the weight. When she does get around to flowering, it should be spectacular.

Someday soon, we'll be enjoying Calla Lilies and Amaryllis, but not on this bloom day...

What do you think about that Spanish colonial cross thingy in the background? I can't decide if it's cool. Or, tacky. It doesn't fit into the decor of this house at all. It's just a little reminder for me that I should be moving south to New Mexico, where I'd most likely be weeding an outdoor garden today.

I'm conducting an odd experiment with Hen and Chicks indoors. IF this wretched little thing survives, (and that's a very big if) she could become an extra special Christmas present...

I do have some ecstatic bloomers in my lair ~ aka the office...

A couple of little cuties in the kitchen...

Plus heaps and heaps of snow, everywhere I look. Did you know that snowdrifts serve as a thermal blanket for your outdoor garden? It gets so deep around here, I can cheat growing zones by two, from USDA 5 to USDA 7.

Pay a visit to Carol at May Dreams Gardens to meet other gardeners in kinder climates. And, Happy Bloom Day, Everyone!

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Wordless Wednesday ~ In Case You're Wondering...

Just in case you're wondering... what I must have, truly need, desperately desire for Christmas!

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7th Heaven

They're forecasting 500 inches of snow.

Oh... did that make you do a double take? 500 inches of snow for the whole winter, not for today. (And, that's normal this high up in the mountains.)

I probably should have clarified that right up top but this way I inspired you to scroll down and see another picture!

 ~  Of my beloved powder hound. He has a doggie door, so he can let himself in and out of the house whenever he pleases. He has not let himself back into the house since the fluffy flakes began to fall. He loves him some winter weather.

It has been quietly snowing for 3 days, now. Muffling the sounds of traffic, and passers by, inspiring me to cozy up next to the fireplace. Right after I pelted the dog with a few well-targeted snowballs. {It's our winter version of dodge ball.}

I don't like winter to last forever. But, I sure do love the change of seasons.

The cold, crisp air. The bright whites of a winter wonderland. And, a cup of hot cocoa, with peppermint, of course, after an exhilarating romp in the snow.

Did you know? Prior to the invention of the telescope, Saturn was the farthest planet we could see. And, it was literally the seventh heaven, where people believed the souls of the dead met with God. 

These days it's just a time in our lives when all is right with the world.


 

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Reflections

Camassia

Can you hear all that backstabbing and name calling?
Those incessant warnings of the next apocalypse...? Yeah, me neither.

Hey! The election must be over! A fine excuse to go plant a bushel of bulbs*

This is my autumn bulb collection. Please scroll to bottom of post to get the skinny on these beauties.

However your candidates fared on Tuesday night, I'm hoping we can all join hands and breathe a collective sigh of relief. That all of this ultra-nasty, and oh-so-unnecessary, negativity is now over.

Maybe even get back to being friends? Sheesh! It became so divisive, for awhile there, that I abandoned Facebook entirely. And, that used to be my nightly entertainment.

Yup. Don't color me blue. Or, red. Color me a loser for wasting so much time on FB.

Allium (Critters absolutely hate the taste of these bulbs.)

Produce stickers starting with 8 = GMO

I can't take credit for anyone winning this election. Seeing as how I wrote myself in on the ballot. Well, why not? Come on, people. Doesn't anyone have a sense of humor any more?

For me, the biggest loss of the evening was Prop 37 in California. The only real thing I paid attention to. The one thing that might actually impact the average human being.

That initiative would have required mandatory labeling of GMO genetically modified foods. That 'O' stands for 'organism' ~ which should suffice in creeping you out and, hopefully, get you on the Say NO to GMO bandwagon.

I'm waaay disappointed in California for nixing that one. Aren't they supposed to be our hippy dippy forward-thinking neighbors to the West? Hmmm... Perhaps I've spent too much time people-watching in Venice Beach.

Anyhoo... all is not lost. GMO foods are already labeled.  

Just look for the number '8' ~ the first number on the produce code sticker. That indicates a GMO food item. Once you find that #8, drop whatever you were thinking of purchasing and run like hell. Over to the organic produce section.

The Skinny on these Gorgeous Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Top row, left to right:

1. Gladiator Allium: Stunning 6-inch purple flower globes on 4 foot tall stems. 
2. Itty bitty (2 inch) Grecian Windflowers create a spring carpet of cheery color. 
3. Camassia: (My all-time fave) Weeks and weeks of brilliant blue stars on 36-inch stems. 
4. Glory of the Snow: Brilliant Lily-like blooms peek out through melting snowdrifts. They're available in white but why in the world would you plant white flowers timed to bloom in the snow? 

Bottom row, left to right:

1. Allium Schubertii: 16-inch tall, spider-like blooms, put on a stunning fireworks show. I bought mine at the Star Trek convention! (kidding.) 
2. Arum Italicum: Bright orange, seedy things. (I know nothing about this flower but I ordered it anyway.) 
3. Monsella Tulips: Fragrant, feathery flowers, posing as peonies. 
4. Replete Daffodils: Daffies masquerading as magnificent tulips ~ how cool is that? 

* Tip: When planting Tulips in mountain gardens surround these bulbs with Daffodil or Allium (onion) bulbs. Critters can't smell the yummy Tulips and they won't get gobbled.

Wordless Wednesday: Real True Goblins!

The Sentries @ Goblin Valley State Park

It's an amazing hiking spot.

 To celebrate Halloween, here's a virtual tour of my favorite destination in southern Utah. Spooktacular Goblin Valley, where eroding sandstone spires create all kinds of eery faces.

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The Mad Gardener of Brown Manor

I thought this was so cool, I wanted to share it... 

The Brown Lady Ghost 

Published in Country Life Magazine, December 16, 1936 

"Provand took one photograph while I flashed the light. I was standing by his side just behind the camera, looking directly up the staircase. All at once I detected an ethereal veiled form coming slowly down the stairs.

I called out sharply: 'Quick, quick, there's something!' I pressed the trigger of the flashlight pistol. After the flash, Provand turned to me and said: 'What's all the excitement about?' After we printed the photo, we knew."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rumor has it she appeared soon after this mansion destroyed her rose garden, in need of more space. Over the last 70 years, countless experts have studied this photo. They've found no indication of photo re-touching and no explanation other than "it's real."

Which is not all that surprising to me. Seriously? If somebody destroyed my rose garden, I'd haunt those buggers with clanking chains.

PS: Happy Halloween :)

Cowgirl Camps and the Fountain of Youth

Wild Asters in the New Mexico Backcountry.

 So, I had a birthday last week.

I like to celebrate birthdays once every 3 years (vs. annually) as I've discovered that makes growing older much more palatable. I'm surprised this hasn't caught on with more people because I've been 39 for like... forever. And, that's okay by me.

Rabbit brush speckles the desert landscape.

 Do you know what's the very best thing about growing older? Yeah. Me, neither.

I suppose there are no 'best things' about growing old. Unless, of course, we're talkin' midlife crisis. Because those are a whole lotta fun.

A+ for amazing effort? This pretty brush rooted itself in a small crack in the boulder.

This had to be the best birthday I've ever had. Because instead of sitting around home doing the same old thing I hightailed it down to central New Mexico. Where the sun is still shining and flowers are still blooming.

We cantered our pretty ponies through some astonishing landscapes.

I went to Cowgirl Camp! Where I got to ride horses for 3 long, lovely days through the most breathtaking scenery.

√ Met some amazing women who, like me, firmly believe horses are the fountain of youth.
√ Pigged out at a wild west Dutch Oven cookout.
√ Partially conquered my fear of snakes:

And! I shot a real live pistol. A Colt something or other.

Didn't hit the target, didn't even come close. But, I pulled the trigger. And, I only screamed a little bit because it was so loud.

Plus, I learned a very valuable lesson in life. With respect to that proverbial fountain of youth? Riding horses works... wrinkle creams do not.

"Repeat after me, Wendy, let's never grow up." ~ Peter Pan

 

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