This morning made me think of the children’s book, “Make Way for Ducklings”. That said…..
Well, having just celebrated Mother’s Day, early this morning I found myself recalling a couple of sayings my Mom used to repeat over and over. Sometimes it is scary to find yourself saying the things your Mother said, especially when you get to my age. You begin to wonder, am I turning into her? Not that that is a bad thing in my case…..my mother was the sweetest lady! Anyway, the necessity quote, just tweaked a bit for my situation today, and the “best laid plans” are my mantra for today. Because…….
Yesterday I bought two lovely bosc pears to roast this morning for the lunch I am making today for my friend who just lost her husband. When I came down this morning and went to dispose of my tea bags, I noticed a pear core in the garbage. OMG – you ate my pear! (A little over-reaction on my part) My poor husband headed for the hills after muttering “how was I supposed to know?” Anyway, first, I roasted the remaining pear and, seeing as it looked a bit measly for two salads, I decided to add to it by roasting an apple I had. It is in the oven now. I guess I will just combine them and see what happens.
Round two….still having 3 overripe bananas hanging around and wanting something fresh from the oven to serve with lunch, I decided to try Molly Wizenberg’s Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger. I am a sucker for trying pretty much any recipe with crystalized ginger. This recipe calls for 3/4 cup of chocolate chips and, low and behold, I am out of chocolate chips. I rumaged around my pantry, sure that I had at least one more bar of Ghirardelli semi sweet chocolate to chop up into chunks – no luck. Only 100% cacao. Ok, so I settled for the few mini-chocolate chips I had – I guess they will be ok. The recipe also calls for 1/4 cup of full fat yogurt – I had none, so substituted sour cream. That loaf is in the oven now – we’ll see! I also want to try a Warm Apple Vinaigrette and I have no apple cider. Can I come up with something for that???? So, it is a day for compromise and experimentation.
Well, I guess some horticulturalists are happy with this weather we are having. I’m beginning to feel like I live in England. I have to confess though, my plants are doing very well and seem to be happy. Early May is such a good time in the garden in New Jersey. The borders are filling in, buds are pushing big time and there is great anticipation and encouragement with what is presented. Like the lovely private gardens I viewed in Georgetown on Saturday, this is maybe the best time in the perennial border. Black spot isn’t on the roses yet, the foliage is very full, the phlox is still thriving, the peonies are still not yet open, even though the early warmth forecast an early bloom. In fact, they seem pretty stalled as far as I can see. More iris have opened and the word “lush” is the best description I can come up with.
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Here is a picture of the tureen I received for Mother’s Day. Yes, I did give Ryan the suggestion. It is a vintage piece, designed by Gloria Vanderbilt and I had spotted at William Wayne and Co. on University Place in New York. I just thought the squirrels were so greatly imagined and very whimsical. I just love this piece. It’s fun! If I had thought about it earlier, I would have made a nice soup, like butternut squash and apple and served it in the tureen today…. ok, next time.
Now I am so glad that yesterday I went outside and took some pictures before it started raining. I am trying to capture images in my garden as they emerge and before they give way to the elements. Here is my favorite picture of the day.
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This morning those same perfect petals are slumping over from the rain. I have had mixed success with clematis. A couple of years ago I put this in near my side porch. I had originally wanted a wisteria to grow up and along the roof of this porch but my contractor advised against it. Since we have a cedar roof he said it would wreak havoc. So, I compromised and put this in. It still hasn’t grown up along the columns, but it is very nice mixed in with the roses. My Sweet Autumn on the mailbox thrives well. My two large ones on trellis’ at the Cape are subject to clematis wilt.
This afternoon will be a good time for reading – I am enjoying “The Berry Bible” by Janie Hibler. I have already post-it’d several recipes in this book and it is a great resource for information on a multitude of berries.
Well, I am hoping for a little better weather for tomorrow……….off to grill my chicken breasts for the salad.