Spring Exuberance

For Sundays in My City, I could put up a picture of a bag of composted steer manure as I’ve been working hard to get the garden ready for vegetable planting.  “What are you doing in your neck of the woods? Hauling dirt, compost and manure.”  Interesting? Not so much.

 

I’ll focus on more fun things instead. A friend had given me this plant and I have no idea what it is – posting it to one of the garden sites and will come back and update if anyone can help me out (they did – it’s Billbergia Nutans Queen’s Tears). It really is these colors – the blue, lime green, yellow stamens and brilliant hot pink. One of the odder plants I’ve ever seen. Here it is in bud – so striking.  Most of the year, it’s simply plain green and spiky.

 

Continuing my lizard theme from last week (that was a California Alligator Lizard) – appears they look for places to “snag” their old skin when they shed it. This one was tangled up amongst the wisteria.

I’d also found a complete skin in 3 parts. I need to link this pic to a friend who does pottery and likes to make odd things to see if I should mail it to her – she’ll probably come up with something fantastic. Lots of ewww factor for me. I could hold it with a paper towel and put the fabric it was laid out on in the sink with heavy duty detergent first then into the washer. It creeped me out a tad.

 

More creepiness. I’ve not caught the eyes on these little buggers in photos. They move pretty quickly and can be hard to capture. Carpenter bees are generally considered beneficial insects because they help pollinate various crop and non-crop plants. But, they do bore holes in wood and must be controlled (using the preventive measures wherever possible).

Looks like I better get on it and do some exploring of the painted wood of the house near the Goldflame honeysuckle. It’s always covered in them. They’re a bit bigger than bumblebees and all black or mostly black. Supposedly, even pressure-treated wood isn’t immune from their activity.

 

Happily, do no harm bumblebees also enjoy the flora and fauna out this way. You’ll see the Carpenter bees, bumblebees and those smaller bees all buzzing the same shrub, our native ceonothus, a.k.a. California lilac. They cover a lot of the hillsides. The wild ones get kinda rangy with long limbs and growth mostly at the tips. I try to chop the ones closer to the house in half every year or so to keep them fuller.

 

For pretty, The Dutch iris are in bloom. Every spring, I’ve become enamored of all the differing flowers and blooms again. It’s always such a welcome burst of life after winter.

And, for those of you with questions about bugs, homes and gardens, I highly recommend checking out  University of California at Davis Integrated pest management – IPM. They’ll recommend preventative maintenance first and least toxic methods for bug control.

This post is participating in Sundays in My City.

Gardening Best Buds

My garden friends aren’t all good looking, but anything that gobbles down bugs is a-ok by me.

Caught this guy enjoying a morning in the sun while I was out filling the hummingbird feeders. He’s actually about twice the size of the ones I normally see.

Some of my daffodils are still in bloom. (This is Pheasants eye).

As are the petunias that overwintered.

This post is participating in Sundays in My City at Unknownmami. Pop on over to see what things are like in other parts of this small world of ours.

This week, Spring!

This weekend we’re blessed with the cuddly warmth and gentle sun of spring. I so love it – the blaring 100 degree sun of summer is too much and the damp chill of winter ok in small doses. But spring, long slow sigh – it’s resplendent in joy and life. I could have snow again – did at the end of last April. Our spring is often short to non-existent – rushing to high temps as the snow melts. I’ll enjoy it while I can and say a prayer its visit with us is prolonged this year. Would you like unbridled cheerfulness? My new favorite daffodil, Red Devon.

No matter where you are – it grabs your focus with its bright blast of color. This isn’t to say that I don’t still adore Poeticus Narcissus like Acatea (could be Pheasant’s Eye – lost my records last year in the abominable computer glitch of ’11).

Pink Charm is another quiet beauty.

Muscari are tiny and like to hide from the unobservant.

Wisteria breaking bud, just short of it’s riotous celebration of spring.

These delightful primrose charmers tugged at my resolve (to not buy flowers that are simply wild animal treats).

And, to those who celebrate it, Happy Easter. Notice the teeny wild lupines, spring is so  utterly gorgeous out here in the mountains. Light green eggs courtesy of my neighbor Terry’s happy little chickens.

This post is participating in Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City.

In like a lamb and out like a lion

Spring?  The phrase is supposed to be in like a lion and out like a lamb for March, but hey – this year has been anything but normal. Yes folks, it’s snowing today – not unusual for some of your locales, but very much so here.

Above is Narcissus Pink Pride today. As soon as I saw this on the computer, I went inside for a flashlight and camp lantern to try to get a bit of light into the shot – but in the few moments that took, this flower had hit the ground. Below is a shot of Pink Pride last weekend.

Scilla Siberica today, big fluffy snowflakes are weighing these down.

Scilla Siberica last weekend

Narcissus Dickcissel today

Last weekend, a happier Narcissus Dickcissel

Ruby Swiss Chard

Calibrachoa

Last weekend, a hawk. I’d been thinking I hadn’t seen many hawks. Predator birds. Also heard the screech owls move back in. Predator bird. Haven’t seen ANY hummingbirds at the feeders, unusual for me. Hoping the snow of St Patty’s Day simply sent them to lower elevations for a bit (Cornell notes they “eat smaller birds”, sigh).

This weekend, really big wet snowflakes, sadly empty feeders.

This post is participating in Sundays in My City – stop by to see what others are doing in their neck of the woods.

Hope Springs Eternal

It’s a rainy, dreary Sunday – indulging myself in indoor hobbies and this morning it’s gardening.

I’ve mentioned Winter Sowing seeds before (here and here), something I’ve been a fan of for years – it works.

   

My efforts are well underway. Some of the milk jugs had snow inside them (last weekend’s storm), but this week the seedlings are taking off as though that blast of chill startled them awake.

   

Knautia  on the left and closely Planted Pam’s Choice Foxglove on the right. The foxglove seed is at least 8 years old, so I didn’t expect such great germination. It’s a biennial – doesn’t bloom its first year, just sets a base of leaves that look like most weeds. Will have to mark where I plant them (and give away oodles).

The knautia are hardy here and have pretty neat seed heads (above is the knautia in maroon and lavender with seed heads), so I’ve planted white plus that wonderful deep maroon and lavender.

   

Short Blue and White Columbine on left. I’d run out of the larger milk containers I prefer for sowing. The smaller ones work but will have to be planted out sooner (and watched for overheating more closely).

     

Today’s efforts are centered on the “warm weather” seeds – eggplants, tomatoes and peppers. Many folks winter sow everything, but for these I like bottom heat and pushing them to get to a nice size for planting out. My new growing season is shorter than the previous home and I want to grab every moment. I’m pre-germinating the seed (detailed instructions here) then I’ll move it to the “root trainers” on a heat mat under shoplights. There’s a phrase “hope springs eternal” – last time I filled the four root trainer trays and got heavy into indoor seed starting – I lost almost all of them to damping off (I think the well water must really have those spores, never had such an issue previously). But, I’ve got a plan – we’ll see if it works. Today’s efforts also include mailing a few gift seed packets off and starting more herbs in jugs.

   

The beds during last week’s snowstorm and today (time to get the weed wacker out). The lowest bed is where I planted most previous year’s potted bulbs. They get a bit stressed in ‘too hot’ pots over the summer, so I’m taking what lived and nursing them with good soil plus bulb fertilizer. Hope to then get them in the ground to naturalize once they go dormant in a few months.

I’m also giving a go at Lavender cuttings  (and a few others) in the milk jugs. My endeavors will yield  either abundance of plant material or lots of food for the compost bins. Fingers crossed for the former.

This post is participating in Sundays in My City at Unknown Mami. 

Almost, but not quite, Spring

Finally, a real snow storm this weekend! A few days short of spring and this is the first snow I’ve had stick here at my little mountain home.

When I was out quickly snapping these shots (company – so no fussing about with settings etc) the snow on a length of telephone wire fell – FFFWWWWUUUUUUUMMMPP. Very loud, I’d forgotten how loud the sound of falling snow can be.

This is the first dusting of snow in the back, always such a cozy view when embraced by the darkening storm.

My sadly stressed internet connection (satellite) – hmmn, why isn’t Maggie posting yet? Although AT&T is constantly working their poles here, no Uverse, no internet worthy cable. It’s satellite or dial on the mountain side.

   

Murphys Irish Days – the Pringles sized (read huge, and I’m quoting a friend) snowflakes amused everyone – at one point I think from the right angle you’d have captured at least ten folks shooting the snow from their phones. The storm lessened the crowds for Irish days somewhat – but those who ventured down stuck it out and had a great time (you could pop in or out of a winery for a taste or some warm mulled wine to keep you toasty, hot cocoa was offered every few blocks). The booths stayed open until almost the end of the show time as the crowds stayed – we were all so amused and happy with our snow. The Irish days shots are from Kady’s iPhone – mine had memory full and I’d grabbed my camera but not the memory card (ouch!). Waking early to make scratch coffee cake – that we could have before needing to leave for the parade – put a damper on my photo prep.

First crocus this season (pre-storm photo, but the crocus are fine, they adore a bit of snow).

First Narcissus Tete a Tete and Muscari of the season.

This post is participating in Sundays in My City over at Unknown Mami.

No Knead Artisan Bread

I’m a starch junkie. There is no way Atkins would ever be the diet for me. My Achilles’ heel in the food area is bread, scones, pastas and rice.

I’d heard a lot about Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day and decided to give it a go. It’s Sunday, the ovens on, I’m baking and  also making up another batch of this wonderful bread.

 As I write this, Amazon shows 949 customer reviews with a 4.5 rating out of five. The author’s concept builds on the basic no knead bread making recipe (they’ve been around forever and pop in and out of favor; earlier I’d blogged failures and listed a dense whole wheat no knead bread from a used cookbook I have with a 1981 copyright – it would’ve made better dog biscuits – the kind they clean their teeth with). Mark Bittman (former NY Times food writer and cookbook author) highlighted Jim Lahey’s My Bread: The Revolutionary No-Work, No-Knead Method - and drove renewed popularity for the no knead method with foodies (their basic bread is baked in a heavy dutch oven as no knead bread is wetter and a pan helps give it shape, the dutch oven also yields a nice crust). Better no knead recipes require mixing one day – then not baking until the next day or later – the longer rise/rest takes care of what kneading and all that physical exercise and mess would. It’s always a sticky batter (when covering, use plastic, not a towel unless you plan to wash and soak the sticky doughy towel pronto).

No knead has an attraction – but, for those equipped with a Kitchenaid mixer, it’s not such a big deal (mix everything in the bowl of the mixer – let the machine knead -  you’re set except for rise and shape that you do with no knead as well). The bigger attraction for me with the “5 minute” approach is mixing up enough for four to five loaves (or more smaller loaves) all at once and keeping the dough in the refrigerator to dole out and bake one loaf at a time. I don’t know about others, but I manage to get flour everywhere when I am mixing up bread recipes. The time saved cleaning up after my messy self is a huge plus. I’m sure everyone also experiences times when due to work, or simply a day of too much fun, they’re too weary to put effort into cooking or baking. If you’re a morning person, you shape your loaf and leave it in the refrigerator to rest during the day. If you’re an evening person, you shape your loaf and let it sit 40 minutes before baking.

The above photos show the dough after it’s initial long rise and ready for refrigeration.  As I write this, I cannot access the website for Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day. I’m hoping they didn’t take it down as it’s a wealth of information with many recipe variations, each of which has a slew of comments that further elaborate the method. The master recipe (detailed at Mother Earth news) takes only 4 ingredients – water, salt, yeast and flour (Plain Flour, or American All-purpose). The authors also created YouTube videos walking through their process.

The bakery in town charges about $6 per loaf of wonderful, flavorful breads. What I notice about most home baked breads is they have a much stronger yeast flavor than my bakery supplied versions where a walnut bread has the predominant flavor of walnut instead of “yeast first”.  I understand fresh yeast can help this (as opposed to dry, it has a very short shelf life but can be frozen). Not being in a metropolitan area, fresh yeast isn’t readily available (I keep thinking I’ll drag a cooler along when I visit the bay area, fill it with ice and find fresh yeast- but haven’t gone that route yet). A longer rise means you can use less yeast and adding sourdough starter also means you can add less yeast. Once comfortable, you can play with the amount of sourdough or yeast depending on your tastes.

I show sourdough starters at the bottom of this post. The alcoholic “hooch” that separates and floats to the top is bursting with rich sour flavor. Some recommend pouring it off (egads no!). Not sure who started that (it does look gross, I’m the first to admit). The look might not sit well with “median American tastes” some strive for. Stir it back into your starter – feed that and then let it bubble and rise if you want a flavorful starter. You will not end up with “alcohol” in your finished loaf. Also, starter can be very simple – gold miners carried it about with them. My fridge is cold -I may not get around to feeding my starter for 4 months. It’s lived. Just keep chlorinated water away from it, do feed it on occasion and it should be quite happy. I see some who make it a very effortful process requiring attention and detail – not me. You can start from scratch (potatoes and more) or pick up a commercial packet. It increases in flavor and depth the longer you have it. I’ll have to do a full post on starters one of these days.

The authors added two cookbooks to the one linked above. One of those is for whole grain. They recommend you get Vital Wheat Gluten to help the loaves rise. It was a few cents short of $8 at my local grocery for the Bob’s Red Mill packet. Sorry to say, I really disliked their Whole Grain Master Recipe that takes ¼ cup of it. I fed the entire batch of loaves to the birds. Too yeasty tasting for me. Some are concerned that commercial bakery use of vital wheat gluten is why we have so many folks with gluten allergies today (do I need to say, I’m not a doctor and this is just something I see bandied about?).  Also, know anyone I can gift the vital wheat gluten packet to? I’m thinking of just making a separate whole wheat batch  with that gluten to feed the birds every time I make a batch for me. 

My recipe started with the regular all purpose flour master recipe. For a light flavored loaf and to have enough gluten for the bread to rise, I keep more all purpose than whole wheat flour. Whole wheat flour absorbs more water, that’s adjusted as well. And, I’ve got a nice sizable bit of sourdough.

My version without the gluten comes out a bit flatter after its rest (all of the 5 minute recipes spread while resting after you shape – how much depends on room temp plus time you let rest), but is absolutely delectable. For sandwiches, just cut it horizontally like focaccia.  You can buy pans, like a Kaiser bread or braided ring mold if you’re making no knead breads and want them to have a certain “look” easily. I bake a small deep dish pizza version in my 8 inch round cake pans. After looking at various bread molds, I’m thinking of trying some of my fancy bundt type pans as well.  

 

Adjusted Basic Recipe (Sourdough with Whole Wheat)

Makes 4 One pound Loaves

3 1/4 cups lukewarm water (don’t be afraid to add a tablespoon or two more water if your dough isn’t really sticky)

1 tbsp granulated yeast (1 packet)

1 1⁄2 tbsp coarse kosher or sea salt

2 cups of activated sourdough starter (I stir here a bit, then add the flours)

4  cups+ unsifted, unbleached, all-purpose white flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

Cornmeal for pizza peel (or upside down cookie sheet)

Follow the instructions I’ve linked from Mother Earth News. I generally let mine get to the sitting the first day in the fridge, then add about 1/3Cup flour to each bowl (thus the + in the flour notation above). Let it rest another day in fridge and you’ll have yummy, light bread.

I was ready to run out and buy the plastic pail or dough stirring hook recommended on their website, but decided it’s easier to just mix the dough in one bowl, then dump into two large bowls (the colored bowl is a Pyrex 10 cup / 2.5 liter; the clear just a tad bigger ) for the rise and refrigeration (otherwise a big ol bucket will demand a lot of refrigerator space on a pretty spacious top shelf). I just used plastic wrap with a few pinholes so it could breathe as instructed. Noticed they use wooden spoons in all the videos, also decided to skip the special stirrer. I have a pizza peal but never use it – I rely on parchment paper (I slide my loaf to the back of a cookie sheet, then slide it from there onto my pizza stone that’s warm in the pre-heated oven).

If you’re a fan of crusty bakery breads – do give this a try. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. And, if their site comes up and you’re a mom, check out Zoe’s  softer crust loaf baked in a loaf pan to make sandwiches for school lunches. Not all the kiddies enjoy a crunchy crust on bread.

This post is participating in Sundays in My city.

Hiking About

I periodically share my shots of sunsets from the back deck.  Grabbed my camera and hiked back into the undisturbed areas of the property.  This is what those trees look like from the ground.

I plan to play more with shutter speed and light.  Would prefer less glare from the setting sun, but like a bit of it. As the hiking expedition was also in impromptu seed scattering event, I hadn’t put enough thought into bug repellent or securing the bottom of my jeans against ticks to truly hike about. I’d just paused from repotting, grabbed the camera, grabbed the seeds and headed down. Once there, the “uh oh” hit me. Could not totally concentrate as I was wishing I’d looked up the dormancy habit of rattlesnakes and wondering if you stepped too close or into one of their dens through the leaves, they’d wake up and bite.  Didn’t have my phone on me – so, yes, was operating a tad distracted.

Without leaves to identify it, poison oak would be just more brush I’d be rubbing against. The pine needles and leaves are deep – you uncomfortably sink.

The wider open areas are where the plough originally fire cleared 5 years ago, then you come up to dense brush you can’t really hike through. Above lower left, the young pine, scrub oak and manzanita are more clearly visible – they’re so densely making a comeback that from a distance it appears to be grasses.

Although they lose all their lower limbs, these Douglas Fir (yes, your Christmas tree all grown up) do sport lovely green growth at the top. Did you know the shedding of lower limbs is an adaptation of some pines (Ponderosa as well) in fire prone areas? Nature never ceases to amaze.

This area was cleared, saving the oaks, and is also rampantly growing back. Another pass for fire safety will be needed soon.

Not sure what downed the Manzanita, but it affords you a glimpse into the denseness of growth beyond.

Do wish I’d done better on this one – watching where I was stepping and finding I couldn’t get as close as I’d like to the base.

My sister spent time as a florist in New England – she’s always telling me to cut Manzanita branches and go sell them to florists in the bay area. Those conservation minded needn’t worry – these things are springing up everywhere. Unfortunately, they’re an “oily tree” – the kind that explodes and makes brush fires much worse. You do need to thin their growth near property (if you’re smart, more than the 100’ required).

May have to call this my fairy tree as I see dancing figures in the branches of this one .

Healthy manzanitas have fantastic red bark.

I know as I learn more, these shots might become stellar, for now you have a bit of a tour of California interior oak woodlands.

This post is participating in Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City. There are many accomplished photographers and writers there sharing a glimpse from their neck of the woods.  And, remember Murphys Irish Days combined with Ironstone’s Daffodil Days is the weekend of the 17th – c’mon up if you can. Sonora’s Celtic Faire is the previous weekend, the 9th.