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Showing posts with label Garden flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garden flowers. Show all posts

Sunday, July 7, 2019

They never dissapoint


Each year they bloom larger and stronger

My tuberous begonias  are more than 15 years old. 
They take a long nap in the dark and under a bench in my greenhouse. 
They have never been fed nor have they been repotted.  




Poppies volunteer.
I never know where they will pop up next. 




So green this year.  We had a lot of rain this Spring.




Salpiglossis have to be seeded every year. 





The pie cherries are just turning color. 
So far, the birds have not discovered them.  

Every fruit tree is laden with fruit.  Only the apples are taking a break
(they do that every other year). 

And miracles upon miracles, our 25 year old apricot tree is covered with fruit for the first time ever.

Take care dear friends. 

Gina 


Thursday, August 30, 2018

My Salsa recipe

                    

My Salsa gathered from my garden.



I never know how hot they are.  Two jalapenos was all I needed to make this Salsa very hot. 



A major ingredient in Salsa,  soon to become coriander, will be saved for next year. 






As I was pulling an onion for my Salsa I remembered an evening in France.

Driving along a country road, we decided that it was time to find a place to spend the night.  It was late and we were tired.  We stopped at the first available spot.

It looked a little rough but we knew that it would do.  We were very tired. We decided to have dinner and Mr G, after having driven for most of the afternoon, wanted a martini.






A martini of sorts.  A Gibson to be exact.  He explained to the waiter that it was similar to a martini but instead of an olive he wanted a small cocktail onion. 

Our waiter indicated that he understood. 

The Gibson arrived and so did a large garden onion on a plate, with garden soil still attached to the roots. 

We used every ounce of willpower not to burst out laughing.  Our rough looking waiter wore a very large and a very ugly red scar on the right side of his face.  In his limited English he had mentioned something about the French Foreign Legion.






My Salsa recipe is very simple.  It has only a few ingredients:
Tomatoes, Jalapenos, onions, cilantro and small amounts of olive oil, sugar, salt and balsamic vinegar. 

I can't give you the exact amounts because it depends on how many tomatoes I use and how hot the peppers are. 




Cilantro in bloom from my garden. The small leaves are still strong enough to give the salsa that particular flavor that gives it the South- of - the - Border character.  



While I was in the garden I picked a Zinnia bouquet.  
Did you know that Zinnias are native to Mexico?  

Wishing you a wonderful remainder of the week.  

Gina

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Making the rounds



on a sunny day.


Lola and Clyde spend more and more time with us and away from the pond.





I have re-discovered Zinnia "Country Fair".





Sandhill Cranes have joined our menagerie.





Guests have left.





Mother duck is teaching all eight ducklings how to dive for food.






Even a few little flowers make a statement.







Pasha divides his time between inside and outside.





Lucy still pulls her own carrots.  






Need to make a note to plant Zinnias again next year.  





Lacinato Kale is the most nutritious of the Kale family.  No wonder it's the preferred kale in Italian kitchens. 







My Lake Maggiore asters, seeds collected more than forty years ago, need to ripen so that I can plant them again next year. 






Letting hollyhock seeds ripen to share with friends. 





Leaving a few grapes on the vines to make them extra sweet.






It's harvest time...don't know what to tackle first.





The Labor Day Sale and Artist Studio Tour was a rousing success.






I sold some of my favorite pieces. 

What are you up to these days?  

Gina 

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Good Grief, I just noticed.



My chickens are reaching through the fence. 



Aha, I caught you.  No use looking so innocent now. 





They are eating my new Sweet Pea Shoots.






No use denying it.  I've seen you do it. 





A summer without Sweet Peas? 





Now listen here girls, I'm watching you. 





 If it hairlips a hog, I will have Sweet Peas this year.  






One of every color in the rainbow. 






And one more thing. 
The Ronde de Nice seeds I saved from last year's crop did not look promising.
  
But now I see that I will have enough of these delectable little squash to share with the entire town. 

(They may show up on your doorstep).

Have a great remainder of the week, dear friends. 

Gina 



Sunday, June 25, 2017

Sunday, Sunday.


Flowers make me happy. 


Especially those which grow in my very own garden.





I can visit with my flowers every day.





Poppies are one of my most favorite flowers. 






When using Poppies in arrangements, you must remember to singe their stems for 30 seconds. 





Foxglove the same. Singe their stems.  This time a little longer.  






The thicker the stem, the longer it takes. 

Burn over candle flame. 

I burn several flowers at a time, on top of my gas range.  





What is more pleasing then making the rounds in the early morning, coffee cup in hand.

How many can you name? 




Happy Sunday to you and yours.


Gina

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Sunday, April 23, 2017

A little Sunday morning quiz



What do you think?

Can you identify this pink flower?


Happy Sunday to you all. 

Gina 


Thursday, August 11, 2016

So, So many




Apricots 


And so many more left in my tree.





All of my favorite flowers growing in my garden.





Looking like blushing Brides





We like apricot preserves.  

Easy recipe follows.


Recipe

5 cups of cut up apricots
3 cups of sugar
Zest from 2 oranges
orange segments from 2 oranges 
Combine all ingredients
cook for 30 minutes 
bottle into half pint jars

No water or thickener necessary

There are more apricots in my tree.  Come and get some.  

Gina 

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

And the winner is




Rosemary

Rosemary is the author of a beautiful blog.  
"Where Five Valleys Meet"

Rosemary is from England.  In her blog we see little glimpses of her beautiful garden. HER BLOG IS SUPERIOR TO MOST.  Not only does Rosemary share her beautiful photographs from the most exotic places in the world but she delves into the history of places which are not usually found in the most detailed guide books.  



Rosemary correctly identified 13 flowers and here is her list:

1) Rose, 2) Helleborus, 3) Astrantia, 4) Verbena, 

5) Cyclamen, 6) Nemesia, 7) Corydalis, 8) Salpiglossis,

9) Centauria, 10) Iceland Poppy, 11) Alchemilla Mollis,

12) Calendula, 13) Mimulus






And the mystery flower is: 


Godetia





Lavender Godetia.










Godetias come in many colors.  Direct sow in the Spring.





Congratulations Rosemary.



Gina

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/