It seems like only yesterday we were pleased if it got to 20 degrees. I actually wrote something like that a week ago. Well, one day this past week it was 30. Then it was 40 with 50 in sight. When it is sunny and 40 you almost do not think you need a coat.
We are fast apporaching that time of year when there will be something new...every day.
When I went out yesterday morning I spotted this.
Yes, that is a little snowdrop. We are thinking there will be a flower maybe Tuesday.
It is coming.
Picture Contest
It is fitting that the picture contest is entering the final stages.
The next three weeks will feature the playoffs.
But here was your surprise winner in Week 13. What a great color.
The full voting was
The blue morning glory, called Heavenly Blue, advaces to the playoffs.
There are 15 contestants who have advanced. There will be 3 weeks at this next stage.
That were 13 weekly winners , which got to 14 since in one week there was a tie.
The one wildcard turned out to be cactus flower with 37%, for second place in week 11.
I would have seeded 3 pictures based on their weekly percentages. Since pictures 3 and 4 tied for that thrid spot, I put them both into week 3 of the playoffs. Lemon drop, a strong performer, falls into the "rest of the field".
Those top percentages were
Pastel Iceland Poppy 47% in Week 8
Orange Coneflower 45% in Week 9
Clematis 41% in Week 3
Tree Peony 41% in Week 12
Lemon Drop 40% Week 7
So here is week one of the playoffs
Iris are such a feaature in the garden. This blue one is one of the best. I do so look forward to the Siberian Iris this year.
#5 Pasque Flower
April 11, 2020
I remember this picture came out of nowhere. I love that little purple tuft in the center of that yellow part. I also love how this flower is just so very hairy.
There you have it. Round 1.
No one said this round would be easy.
Right Now
It still is all about our snow. But with snow comes fun, particularly if you are 4 years old.
Having enjoyed our grandchildren when it was cold, it is even better to enjoy them when spring is coming.
Maisie just turned 6 months old. With Chistopher as an older brother I expect she will be on a scooter before too long.
Julia's recipe
Pork vindaloo sort of
As readers of this blog are aware, the family from Maine has been here for a while. It has been hectic and sometimes tiring and altogether delightful. The grandchildren are a lot of fun, which is a plus. Sometimes Katie cooks, which is also a plus. This recipe is adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's Quick and Easy Indian Cooking. It is even quicker and easier if someone else does the cooking!
On the plate, covering the little pile of rice. Some diners added a drizzle (or dollop) of yogurt which was a pleasant tangy contrast.
A nice meal for a chilly day, which we will continue to have for at least another month.
We had some leftovers, perfect for lunch.
Odds and Ends
Here is the back yard as of yesterday morning. Little shoots are coming up in the places where the snow retreats. That is by the house. The back of the house faces south. The backyard is always several weeks ahead of the rest of the garden. I am not complaining.
I do wonder how much snow will be left in a week. There are temperatures predicted into the 50's by the end of the week.
The happy snowman fell apart after one day. The sad one lost its head yesterday.
Christopher was out with food coloring yesterday.
Be safe
Better are times are almost hear. You just have to ignore the Iowa legislature.
Philip
2 comments:
That picture of Philip & Maisie is so terrific that I saved it to my favorite-pictures trove. And in the recipe directions, my favorite part was the characterization of the mustard used: "not baseball." I take it that pulled pork is cross-cultural!
In the voting, I was torn between the red peony & the pastel poppy. But the meek don't always inherit.
I like how Christopher turned a frown upside-down. I'm surprised the snowman didn't melt.
This was a ridiculously strong contest this week. In most weeks, my second and third choice would have been #1.
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