Beautiful Day
25 Wednesday Apr 2012
25 Wednesday Apr 2012
23 Monday Apr 2012
Posted Atlanta, Design, Gardening, Inspiration, Nature
inI am trying to spruce up our patio before May arrives. We just ordered a teak dining set yesterday, and I need to find some new plants for our pots to replace the sad overgrown pansies. Last summer in Atlanta was incredibly hot and dry (our first summer here). With that in mind, I am thinking Mediterranean. As in lavender, rosemary, terra cotta and other things you would find in the south of France, Italy, Spain, you get the picture. Technically we are not in a Mediterranean climate; it is Humid Subtropical in this part of Georgia. But I’ve read that Mediterranean plants can do very well in other places with the right conditions. Looking for inspiration, I came across the following. If only teleporting were possible..
20 Friday Apr 2012
Posted Food & Drink
inIt’s a dreary day and I am dealing with the remnants of a migraine. After I’ve had a doozy, I am ravenous. Maybe the body uses up so much energy combatting the pain? After being able to take the bag of frozen spinach off my neck, I decided to make something for myself and had a taste for comfort food. I guess I could have made something with the spinach, but I might need it later if the M word rears its ugly head again.
After evaluating the pathetic choices in the pantry and the fridge (girl scout cookies and feta cheese anyone?), I decided to make a creamy tomato soup with rice. It turned out really tasty and I will definitely make it again! I wanted something on the side, and as I had pita chips and some gouda cheese, that fit the bill. The gouda is actually amazing. It is from Sweet Grass Dairy in southern Georgia. That is going to be a whole other blog topic some day when I replace the brain cells my migraine just ate. But I digress..
Creamy Tomato Soup with Rice (recipe follows)
In about 1 Tbs olive oil on medium heat, saute about 2 Tbs of minced onion or shallots until cooked through (I had a yellow onion). Add a 15 oz can of tomato sauce, and about 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock. Add 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste. I also added about 1 Tbs chopped parsley and 1 Tbs chopped basil from my herb garden. Bring to a simmer, then add 1/2 cup uncooked white rice. Put the heat on low and cover for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will look like a soupy risotto and gets very thick. Add 2% milk (or whole milk) until it reaches the consistency you would like. I probably added about 1 – 2 cups. Heat on low until warm enough to serve. I hope you enjoy it!
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18 Wednesday Apr 2012
Posted Family, Gardening, Nature, Photography
inTags
My Aunt Helen is an amazing gardener. When I think of her, I think of roses. I remember playing in her garden as a child. I remember peeking behind the garage to see if anything bloomed behind.
My aunt has cultivated a veritable botanic garden for over 40 years. I would not be surprised if there are hundreds of varieties of plants, flowers and roses. The garden is her pride and joy.
I think a love for gardening runs in the blood. You either have it or you don’t. Some call it a green thumb, but it also takes hard work, and you have to be willing to put in the effort to reap the rewards.
My cousin was kind enough to send me these photographs. I just hope that when all of the roses are in bloom, she sends me more!
How does your garden grow?
17 Tuesday Apr 2012
Posted Living in the South, Nature, Uncategorized
inI try to take our Golden Retriever for a walk every day, although I have been very bad about that lately. Not only is it good for us, each of our walks finds a different surprise in store. Today’s gifts..
Wild honeysuckle. The scent is amazing and perfumes the air every morning
I don’t know what these are, but they look prehistoric to me
Until our next adventure!
13 Friday Apr 2012
Yes it’s Friday the 13th. But since I am not superstitious I am writing about something close to my heart.
My flower fields post yesterday got me thinking more about San Diego and how much I miss it. A family friend also just told me that she is moving there this summer. I wish she could pack me in her suitcase!
My husband and I lived in San Diego for about two years when we were first married. We took a family vacation to San Diego a few years ago. I loved sharing it with my children and seeing their reactions to our favorite places, and exploring new ones together. Here are some of my favorite sites in “America’s Finest City,” which it quite possibly could be!
View from the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla
Surfers off the La Jolla coast
View from our table at Jake’s Del Mar, my favorite restaurant anywhere. I still crave the layered seafood cocktail.. http://www.jakesdelmar.com/
View of San Diego from the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma. It feels as if you are on top of the world up there.
View of the open Pacific from Point Loma
Casa Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant in Old Town San Diego
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier and Museum
San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido
12 Thursday Apr 2012
Posted Design, Inspiration, Nature
inIncreasingly bored with the hurricane glass and white candle that has been sitting on our kitchen table for months, I decided to change things up a little bit. Since I had just bought some gorgeous ranunculuses, the candle holder was transformed into a vase for flowers. I think it looks pretty, no?
When I lived in southern California, I was lucky enough to drive past the flower fields in Carlsbad every day. Fields of ranunculuses as far as the eye could see. When they were in full bloom, it was a rainbow of warm summer colors.
The flower fields are still there, and they should be blooming as we speak!http://www.theflowerfields.com/