In Another Galaxy, These Would Be Considered Breakfast

With strawberry and rhubarb season already here and peach-blackberry-blueberry-raspberry season on the horizon, I bring you Rustic Fruit Desserts : Crumbles, Buckles, Cobblers, Pandowdies and More by-way-of angrychicken.

I have no idea what a buckle or a pandowdy is, but I have a good feeling that I will wonder how I ever lived before without them. And I'll be spending more time hiking our foothills to negate this new-found love affair.

For a little balance to the butter-flour-sugar trinity, here's an awesome recipe for your spring greens. I swear, even the biggest scoffers will become converts.

And once they have finished their greens, they can be rewarded with a honkin' buckle. Or pandowdy. Or what-ever.

Happy Long Weekend! May it be filled with some gardening, fortified by some baking, followed by some napping.

The Slower Hum of Summer

A little time indoors. A little time outdoors. Some time daydreaming. Some time with a nose in a book or an ear to the ground. Lately enjoying . . .




1. The Endless Feast - my end-of-the-day eye candy. This PBS show focuses on local foods. The crew visits different parts of the country and they plan feasts around what is in-season. Mile-long tables are set up in the middle of a farm field and guests eat to their heart's content in the evening sun.

2. Soy yarn in Geranium and green flower buttons for Willa's first fall sweater. I am never going to bother with knitting adult sweaters eva-again. When baby things are so easy to knit up - in a flash! Ha - so satisfying.


3. Baby swing smocks and bloomers from Angry Chicken (a.k.a. Bend the Rules sewing guru Amy Karol). Ditto on the adult clothing racket. Zip-zip-zip. My sewing machine feels like magic!


4. Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden by Emily Whaley - I bought this while on our Charleston honeymoon several years ago and made the pilgrimage to Mrs. Whaley's garden that same week. This sweet book is charming and has some interesting Southern recipes. Perfect mid-afternoon hammock-swinging (or air-conditioning) read. This photo is from gardentraveler.com.

5. During our commute home to Sugar Hollow, Lynne Rossetto Kasper keeps me company via podcast. The Splendid Table takes me to far away places and then, brings me back down to earth, to test things out in my own kitchen. She has a new part of the program on locavores and the Sterns' Road Food bit sends me on a mini-foodie vacation every time. Complete with the craving for something fried and a malted milkshake.


6. Plans for our own gardens continue and I save clippings and images from the garden geniuses of others. The above photo is from The Arbogast Inn in Monterey, Virginia. The owners of the inn tracked the image (and me) down through flickr. To report that a cow crashed through that fence shortly after I snapped the photo!

Book Tag MeMe

Dee of Red Dirt Ramblings included me in a fun and unique meme. While Dee chose a garden book - and I wish could include my favorite garden books (The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden), alas, both are out on loan.

Here's the deal-y-o.

Pick up a book of at least 123 pages
Open the book to page 123
Find the fifth sentence
Post the next three sentences
Tag five people

So, I pulled something from my present reading stack. My Life in France by Julia Child. I just finished it this morning and I feel like I was saying goodbye to a good friend. But as I write this, I can hear her voice and have her exclamations running through my head. "Ouf!" "Hooray!" "Bon appetit!" Which are a welcome, wholesome balance to other words that are running through my head these days - as I also have a present addiction to Deadwood. A-hem.

From Julia:

"One Wednesday, Paul came home to join us for lunch, and he brought Mary Parsons, the USIS librarian, who lived in the same hotel as Mary Ward. We served sole meuniere, a mixed salad with chopped hard-boiled eggs, and a dessert of crepes Suzettes flambees au Grand Marnier. As he watched us bustle about the kitchen, Paul was surprised to see how much fun both the students and teachers were having."

I tag anyone who would like to join in. I love seeing what other people are reading.

Books: Gardening: A New World For Children

When I first read about this book find on Zoe's blog - I immediately tracked down a copy for myself. More and more, I am pulled into antique gardening books and any other written record that sheds lights on old-school gardening ideas that have been lost to time. Gardening: A New World for Children by Sally Wright totally fits the bill.

The chapter names suck me in right away. Even at 37 years old, I want a Lilliputian Garden. The English called them "sink gardens" - old stone sinks held the miniature landscapes - complete with dwarf alpines and conifers and small-scale garden structures such as pergolas, bridges and trellises. Often, these little gardens would be placed on balconies or window ledges.


Then there is the Odd Behavior Garden chapter. Unusual plants that exhibit unusual behavior - that any child would find curious. It also includes a list of insect-eating plants. And a blooming timetable for certain plants throughout the day. From the early-rising morning glories to the night owls - night-scented stock and moonflowers. Magic!

The Pocket Money Garden chapter encourages industrious young farmers to sell their homegrown goodies. With a 1950's sensibility.

Even the more traditional garden ideas become enchanting - through the possibilities within a child's imagination. The Nose Garden. The Bouquet Garden. Winter Gardening.

I have more research to do - now that my eyes have been opened. Stay tuned for more details on lilliputian gardens, dish gardens, button gardens and the like!

Slanted and Enchanted

Today's Work To Do List . . .

1. Reconcile our financial accounts for October.
2. Complete cost transfers to two departments (you don't want to know).
3. Edit and summarize 60 (more) pages of text comments from a recent survey.
4. Deal with an ongoing sewer smell that plagues our office (again, you don't want to know).
5. "........"

Oh. Good God. I, I, I actually put myself to sleep for a moment there.

What Is Really Floating Through My Mind . . .

~Float~Float~Float~

I have dreamt about a flock of guinea hens for a long time. So serene. So fluffy. And they help control fleas, ticks and garden pests. Once our own 'coop' is finished - I will pursue this further. Until then, I read and plot and plan. And peck away at the idea.

~Float~Float~Float~

A cold frame. Organic salad greens all winter long. How civilized!

Unrealistic? Yep. Exactly what I need to feed my outdoor soul during my indoor, cubicle-bound work days? Absolutely.

P.S. Don't tell Corey about these thoughts. They make him panic.

Books: The Southern Gardener's Book of Lists

Both newbie and seasoned gardeners of the south alike will glean valuable information from this book.

The subtitle promises the best plants for any gardener's "needs, wants and whims." Whims? How can you not love a gardening book that understands that *most* green thumbs live and breathe on just that. Whims.

My favorite sections?

Trees To Try in Containers *or* Small Trees for Small Lots, Patios and Under Utility Lines
Trees That Will Outlive Your Great-Great Grandchildren
Substitutes for Bradford Pear
Perennials That Will Bloom Six Weeks or Longer
Some Perennials for Heavy Clay Soil
Perennials for Cracks and Crevices (i.e. stone walls or pathways)
Annuals for Beginners
Super Easy Flowers from a Packet Of Seeds
Old-Fashioned Shrubs
Native Azaleas in Order of Bloom
Roses Most Often Found in Old Southern Gardens

Also remember that this is particularly great time of year to plant trees and shrubs. Through the end of November. Amazing, since most nurseries are having very tempting sales right now, as well.

Shhhh. This tip can remain between the lot of us.

Book: 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die

At first glance, travel book titles with the "before you die" pitch make me slightly neurotic and frazzled.

But some are excellent fodder for day-trip ideas and armchair adventures in their own merit. And to thumb through 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die for even a few minutes sent me back to equilibrium. Remembering what matters. And what needs to be seen and explored.

I quickly looked to see what they said about favorite gardens of mine. Indeed. Spot on. Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island. The Frick Collection Courtyard Gardens in New York City. They even included Central Park.

Then, on to North American (mostly East Coast) gardens that have been on my radar in which to make a pilgrimage. Winterthur Garden in Delaware. Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C.

Unabashedly, I finally pawed my way right to Mecca. The section on England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Good Lord, why on Earth haven't I been there yet?!? Oh, the things I could do with that weather and a garden staff of, let's say, 10?

I hazily returned to my surroundings - the lone Virginia gardener sipping mint iced tea and relishing in the coolness of our new AC. I remember that I have yet to really explore (record scratches in the distance) Monticello. A mere 25 minutes away. And, not on the list - but nearby in Richmond - Maymont.

This book is broken down by continent - with stunning photos and a synopsis of what to expect. Including quick facts on designers, garden style and acreage. I took my copy out of the local library, but this is definitely going on the wish list for my garden reference library. A-hem. Anyone listening? Anyone?

Books: The Lost Gardens of Heligan

One of the books I have had my nose in as of late is The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Run, don't walk, to your library, bookstore, whatever and treat yourself to this treasure. Then, curl up with some tea and crumpets.

Here's the general gist of it. A centuries-old, self-sufficient Cornwall (England) estate garden was left to crumble - after most of the garden staff was killed during the first World War. Then, around 1990, several gentleman gardeners decide to resurrect and restore it to its original state - unearthing delight after delight up from under the brambles and the overgrowth. The book describes their discoveries and their devotion to Heligan with the love and curiosity any gardener can appreciate.

I won't tell you what they find. But I will tell you that the book has wonderfully revealing pictures. I thought I would be able to restrain myself and just look at the photos as the story unfolded. Nope. I gobbled them all up and just stared at them, agog, for an hour before actually even starting the book.

If you are lucky enough to get over to merry old England, you can visit the gardens. Here's a look at Heligan's restored Italian garden.

(And, yes! They have before, after and historical photos of this spot in the book. Totally, horticulturally-nerdily satisfying.)

Mugworts in May: A Folklore of Herbs

I stumbled across this book in Philippi, West Virginia during our recent visit to the state. Their historical society was having a fair - filled with Civil War re-enactments, viewings of the Philippi mummies, a covered bridge and a war-time amputation demonstration. A feast for the senses!

Anyway - I am entranced by this book - Mugworts in May. Written by herbalist Linda Ours Rago out of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. I bought it through the nice ladies at the Philippi Historical Society.

Linda harks back to the days of the Wise Women - pre-the witch hunts of the 1400's, when herbalists and their bounty were revered for their healing powers. The book is filled with herb garden ideas, descriptions and old-school uses of herbs, charms and folklore. An armchair field trip to another time and place.

My favorite part, so far, is the description of a Wise Woman's garden. Here's a quick sample of what would have been traditionally grown in this herbal apothecary.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Birch Tree (Betula)
Garlic (Allium lilaceae)

Flax (Linum)

Elder Tree (Alnus glutinosa)

Meadowsweet (Spirea ulmaria)

Sage (Salvia)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus)

Thyme (Thymus)

Pansies (Viola)

Rowan Tree (Sorbus)

And I'll leave you with this traditional charm for aid and protection, also from the book.

"Rosemary wreath to encircle our home,

Give us fragrance, protection and light

From the mucklemark steppers

Who lurk and roam

Over hills in the dark of night."

Mucklemark steppers?! Eeeek. Rough times.

The Container Garden - Made in the (Part) Shade

Part of our container garden gets blazing-ly strong sun most of the day. The other half - life-saving, reprieve-offering part shade. By July, I fully embrace and appreciate my shade deck garden - along with a tumbler of icy limeade and a knitting project. Finally taking a cue from the seasoned Southerners.

What Has Worked In My Container Shade Garden (So Far)

Sprinklings of Impatiens in unusual containers
Japanese Painted Fern
Autumn Fern
Boston Fern (pictured at top)
Ivy

What I'm Testing Out This Year

Hostas (pictured above)
Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Asiatic Lilies
Vinca Minor (very invasive - I only recommend it for container plantings)
Sweet Woodruff
Daylilies

Other Part Shade Standards

Coleus
Hellebores (spring bloomer)
Bleeding Hearts (spring)
Different varieties of Heuchera
Astilbe
Pulmonarias (spring)
Primrose (spring)
Bellflowers
Foxglove
Lily-of-the-Valley (spring)
Virginia Bluebells (spring)

Also, this book looks beautiful . . . I don't own it (yet). But I DO have an anniversary coming up (a-hem).

The Way of the Dandelion

From my dabbling in herbal concoctions and recipes along side my weekly haunts through the hippie food store, I am often noticing/hearing about/intrigued by the love of the dandelion.

I always stayed away - forever unclear on the fine line between yummy dandelion experiences and the severely bitter 'never again' tastings. And what of the mystery regarding the roots vs. the leaves (a.k.a. greens) vs. the flowers?

So I became extra curious when visiting the website of my favorite radio show - The Splendid Table. They had an on-line recipe for Dandelion Flower Cookies. Hmm. Sweets and flowers. That I could stomach.

The recipe was written by botanist Dr. Peter Gail. Who also wrote The Dandelion Celebration. His website, Goosefoot Acres, literally expounds on all-things-dandelion.

I also read this article on the DIY Network, in which Dr. Gail is quoted as saying, "[dandelions] contain more beta carotene than carrots, more potassium than bananas, more lecithin than soybeans, more iron than spinach and loads of vitamins and minerals."

The trick for the leaves (here it is, folks) - "is to eat the greens before the flower buds appear. [Dr. Gail] says if your dandelions have already sprouted, cut them back and harvest what grows back."

Make sure to pluck those flowers before you mow. For the cookies. Priorities, right?!

Rainy and cold here today, so I went to see a matinee of Miss Potter - the somewhat new movie about Beatrix Potter.

Such a cool story and a great escape. I find slow moving English films, with beautiful scenery and landscapes, especially soothing. It captures the interesting details of her life, her books, what she did for land conservation in England, her love of the natural world, her imagination. I'm now curious about this biography.

I might, just might, take a different stand with my own mischievous garden bunnies this year.

The Encyclopedia of Container Gardening

My mom used to tease me when I would impatiently growl at the April weather - pretty much every April. The crazy dips in temperature would bring my spring euphoria and momentum to a screeching halt. "April is the cruellest month," she would giggle - quoting The Wasteland. Thankfully, it is not as cruel as T.S. Eliot's April. For me it is just more touch and go in a flirtatious way; less morose.

So, after being chased indoors by 30 or so degree temperatures, I have turned to reading a little more. Getting my potatoes and asparagus in the ground will just have to wait.

I picked this copy of The Encyclopedia of Container Gardening up at a local used bookstore this past autumn. I have kept it close at hand ever since.

It covers it all . . . houseplants; how to grow shrubs, perennials, annuals, vines in containers; do-it-yourself projects such as forced bulbs, terrariums, dish gardens, topiary; design ideas for balcony and deck gardens; troubleshooting in the container garden; watering and care tips; and my favorite easy-to-follow section - "The Right (Houseplant or Plant) for the Right Place." Right on.

I'm testing out two new vines this year - the black-eyed susan vine and the cypress vine. I'm also thinking about dividing my daylilies and putting them in big containers on my deck. The final experiment will be with a small hydrangea.

Looks like I still have a few more nights in front of our wood stove to mull over spring plans in my garden journal. Things could definitely be worse . . . right Mr. Eliot?

Amazon.com has used copies.

Hip Herbal Product Watch: Earth Mother Herbal

In high school - in the 1980s , I would obsess over this old book in the library called Down to Earth Beauty. During an Aussie Scrunch Spray/Noxema-filled time, the idea of making rose water or a simple oatmeal scrub drew me in and I would pour over the details of each concoction. The exotic ingredients seemed so difficult to find and my mom, understandably, didn't want me in the kitchen making goo with her good pots. I ended up just memorizing the recipes and thought *sigh* "Some day . . . ".

So, it didn't surprise me, after reading Earth Mother Herbal - Remedies, Recipes, Lotions and Potions from Mother Nature's Healing Plants that I wanted to book a flight to Oregon and spend a weekend with the earth momma herself, Shatoiya de la Tour. This beautiful book makes herbs - and the things you can create with them - very accessible and very memorable. Each herb section has details on facts and folklore, growing, harvesting, uses, accompanied by interesting stories and then . . . recipes!

We're talking tinctures, tonics, infusions! Maybe, just maybe, Shatoiya would let me into her kitchen to look over her shoulder and peek into her magical world - teaching me the secrets and the skills I craved 20 years ago.

But her book and nurturing spirit that comes through in her writing, makes it easy to make a go of it on your own and it is now a staple on my bookshelf. From skin care and bath time recommendations to teas such as Spicy! Immunity Chai to healing salves. And, my husband is a huge fan of Bubba's Taters with Eggs and Rosemary. It's great getting back to the earth and back to what has worked for ages. Good winter reading . . .