b l o o m

 
b l o o m, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

"Let all of life be an unfettered howl. 

                          Like the crowd greeting the gladiator. 

  Don't stop to think, don't interrupt the scream, exhale, release life's rapture. 


                                                                        Everything is blooming. 

Everything is flying.

                     Everything is screaming, choking on its screams. 

                                                                                                     Laughter. 

Running. 


               Let-down hair. 


                                          That is all there is to life. " 

                                                                                     — Vladimir Nabokov

Rainy Days and Mondays

Rainy Day Mondays, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

It is raining and cold again. Last night it actually hailed here. It was so bad that we ran outside to check the cars for damage! It sounded like rocks were being thrown at our windows.  The plants have really taken a beating too from all the rain.  It is so ironic that a few years back we were struggling with drought conditions and now we have had so much snow and rain in the last six months.



This morning I woke up with "Rainy Days and Mondays" by the Carpenters on my mind. The only problem was that I couldn't remember the tune. Thanks to You Tube, I got the full video version.



Then I thought of Karen Carpenter and what a beautiful voice she had. It was so pure and perfect.

Fourth of July Jam!

Fourth of July Jam!, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

Last weekend, I decided to visit a nearby farm that had fresh berries to pick. I came home with three baskets full of black raspberries, red raspberries and blueberries.

All week we have been enjoying the fruit. It is yummy on cereal, yogurt, or just to sample as snack food straight out of the fridge. I made a batch of muffins.

I used the remainder of my handpicked raspberries to whip up some Old Fashioned Raspberry Jam this morning. I thought it would be great hostess gifts for the parties we will be attending today! It was a cinch to make, here is the recipe:

Old Fashioned Raspberry Jam

4 cups (1 liter) granulated sugar
4 cups (1 liter) raspberries

1. Place sugar in an ovenproof shallow pan and warm in a 250°F (120°C) oven for 15 minutes. (Warm sugar dissolves better.)

2. Place berries in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat, mashing berries with a potato masher as they heat. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

3. Add warm sugar, return to a boil, and boil until mixture will form a gel (see tips, below), about 5 minutes.

4. Ladle into sterilized jars and process as directed for Shorter Time Processing Procedure .

Tip: To make a small boiling-water canner, tie several screw bands together with string or use a small round cake rack in the bottom of a large covered Dutch oven. Be sure the pan is high enough for 2 inches (5 cm) of water to cover the jars when they are sitting on the rack.

I found this on EPICURIOUS.COM here:

Make a Salad!

Make a Salad!, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

Organic Arugula
So easy to grow!
Just fill an old crate (or container) with some bagged garden soil. Plant the seeds. Keep moist. Until the seeds germinate, I just leave the box on my back porch - getting indirect sunlight. Once the seeds pop through, I move to a sunnier location - but not too bright at first. After the plants are established, they can take full sun. I also planted baby leaf spinach the same way.  

Once you have a good crop, just pick the baby leaves and throw in your salad.  Tonight we had Arugula, Romaine Lettuce, Dried Cranberries, Pecans, Asagio Cheese and some Balsimic Dressing.  YUM!

Gardener's Journal

I have always wanted to keep a garden journal - but never followed through. Maybe if I start making some digital pages - it will inspire me to get on with it.

I need to remember to get the zinnia seeds in the ground - I want lots of these for flower arrangements! if only it would stop raining. 

The best thing about a good spring rain...

The best thing about a good spring rain..., originally uploaded by poketypatch.

...is diamond droplets on baby columbine leaves!

Go make a Honey Bunny

     Picture by Orange you Lucky

Here is a fun project for a sweet Sunday, "honey bunny", a free pattern to embroider just in time for Easter.  How cute is that! Thanks to Helen, who is quite a talented gal.  In addition to her blog, Orange you Lucky, she has her own website, One Lucky Helen, which features her illustration, pattern design, paintings, and her toys! She even has published her own book, Embroidery for Little Miss Crafty: Projects and patterns to create and embellish which is out this month.  It looks pretty sweet!

I think I might stitch up my own honey bunny a little later, after I finish cleaning up my garden. Luckily, it won't take too long, since I have a great little honey of a helper.  My very own honey bunny.  He is really an English angora rabbit.  I spin his fur into snuggly soft yarn! I put him to work mowing the grass, since my dh isn't around to do it (like he said he would!).

  

I hope you have a great Sunday!  Here is a little heart for you.  It greeted me in one of my tulips this morning. My flowers have a lot of heart!

dreaming of spring

butterfly in black and white, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

Wordless Wednesday #6 - Welcome Spring!

triplets, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

Migraine Fighter

Last night I needed this eye pillow for an awful migraine.

I used the pattern in Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects book to make this a few weeks back.  I used fleece for the backing so it is extra soft.  I also filled it with my secret ingredient, a little pouch of lavender from my garden.  The pouch is made from a recycled fabric dryer sheet.  I cut up a rectangle out the the sheet, fold it in half and sew up each side.  Then you fill it with lavender and sew up the top.  It works perfectly inserted in your project and protects the lavender from spilling out through  a loose seam!  

There are many legends surrounding lavender.  It's scent is thought to combat stress and promote relaxation.   The word “lavender” comes from the Latin "lavare" which means to wash. In early times, washer women were called lavanders or lavenders because to lavender meant to launder and the lavendar plant itself was used to keep fabrics smelling fresh.  

Folklore also links fairy activity to wherever lavender is planted. These fairies bring healing, protection, and aid in overcoming emotional blocks [and migraine headaches!].  That is why lavendar planted around the house is rumoured to keep bad spirits away.  I have it planted right up the front walk to my house for that very reason!  We need all the help we can get! 

I love lavender!

In Bloom

xmas cactus, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

A Christmas Cactus that I received as a gift last year at this time decided to bloom! What a wonderful way to christen the holiday season. I was astounded by how well the plant has made it through the year. However, after a little research on the ideal conditions for this plant, I realized that I had given this little beauty everything it needed without even knowing it.

The scientific name for Christmas cactus is Zygocactus. This is a plant that is native to the jungles in South America. It requires a lot of light right before and during the holiday blooming period. During the summer just take it outdoors, and put it in a semi-shady spot. I kept mine on the back porch. As fall approaches, gradually give it more light. You can bring it indoors or just move it in your garden.

I think that how you water the plant is key. During the year, you should water thoroughly when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry. During the summer, keep the soil moist. When fall arrives, water the plant only well enough to prevent wilting; and, don't water at all in October. You can begin watering again in November. The watering of my plant occurred by accident. Since we had had drought here in the northeast, the forgotten plant which was sitting on a patio table did not get watered in September and October. Then a couple of weeks ago we receive our first bout of rain. Within the next week, I notice that the plant was about to burst!

After your cactus completes blooming, let it rest by withholding water for six weeks. When new growth appears, re-pot and top-dress with fresh soil. Resume watering to keep soil fairly moist.

Autumn Harvest

Amigurumi vs. Real, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

I crocheted this little pumpkin to match the one I picked from my garden.

Winter Gardening

Since there has not been a winter frost, the geraniums are still in bloom. I know this won't last for long. On my "to do" list is digging up the scented geraniums and lemon verbena out of the herb garden. Hopefully, they will "winter over" on my kitchen windowsill! What plants do you bring inside for the winter?