Gardening Wars

Wabi-Sabi

2012-02-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

This fallen tulip petal and a walk through James Madison University's arboretum in January bring to mind Wabi-sabi, the Japanese aesthetic of transcience and imperfection.

The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum in Harrisonburg, Virginia is really something. Set in over 100 acres within the JMU campus, it's so peaceful in winter. Strolling among the garden's "bones" in January gave my son the JMU student and me some special insights. We got to see a couple of vibrant cardinals who might have been hidden from view if there had been leaves on the trees. We also saw quite a few herbs that still seemed viable, if not plump, as well as some evergreens and weirdly enough, a patch of blooming daffodils. Without leaves on the trees, you can see quite far, and get a real sense for the expanse of the place.

Sure, visiting in spring or summer is gorgeous, but a walk through on a crisp winter afternoon as dusk approaches has its own special appeal.

Klassy Kalanchoe

2012-01-24T05:37:00.000-08:00

My neighbors gave me this lovely Kalanchoe for Christmas. I was going to re-pot it, but it has a nice red and gold wrapping that, along with the white blooms, is looking sort of Valentine-y now. Plus it's doing well, so I should leave well enough alone.

These are succulents, so are fairly easy to take care of if you don't over-water. Once the blooms fade, I'll see if what they say is true: I should be able to trim the flowers, then ignore the plant for awhile. It should re-flower in spring. I hate the thought of viewing these sorts of plants as temporary throwaways. Seems so wasteful, on top of being a rude way to handle a gift.

I've got a Christmas cactus that's starting to fade. Those definitely can be left alone for awhile, with almost guaranteed reblooming next year. Mine blooms in the fall, though -- atheist cactus?

Orchid Suicide Prevention

2012-01-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

Dear readers, do please help me avoid another orchid casualty. A friend just gave me this stunning Phalaenopsis. I'm determined to have success, but need help.

One article I read said that the Home Depot and similar mass-produced, hardware store variety orchids are akin to the dogs from a puppy mill, that is, overbred and cranked out in such quantity and without appropriate care that they typically suffer from a life of misery. This one came from a florist, so I'm hopeful that I'll have better luck.

First question: What do they mean by "medium light?"

Second question: What do they mean by "keep moist?"

Thirdly, do I need to re-pot it? It's in a plastic pot set within a clay pot with a hole in the bottom. I've seen some orchids in pots with multiple openings all along the side.

Lastly, I'm also curious about special potting medium and fertilizer.

Any help appreciated!

The Best Meal I Ever Ate

2012-01-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Davanti Enoteca menu.

A recent visit to San Diego included dinner at Davanti in Little Italy. Between the food, the ambience, outstanding service, and fun dining companions, this might have been the best meal I ever ate.

Our server Nicholas was warm and welcoming as he explained the menu and the chef's tapas-like inspiration. Each item on the menu is meant to be shared, and comes out of the kitchen as it's ready. The 4 of us selected three appetizers, three pastas, and one entree from the varied but not overwhelming menu.

Remnants of the mushroom bruschette.

First out of the kitchen was the ricotta vaso (ricotta and honey comb), served with grilled pugliese bread. We tore into the cheesy-sweet goodness so quickly that I failed to get a photo. Next out was the mushroom bruschette -- you can see the remnants of it in the photo at right. Even the non-mushrooom lovers enjoyed it.

The third appetizer was the squash, farro, and watercress salad. Yummers! At this point, I proclaimed that I didn't want the evening to end. Corny, yes, but I meant it. There was one amazing, delicious offering after another.

Cacio e pepe.

Our pastas included cacio e pepe (spaghetti with pecorino and cracked black pepper), uovo in raviolo (an enormous ravioli that we fought over), and paccheri con salsiccia (a tomato and sausage ragu over tube pasta).

Pollo sole mio.

Next out of the kitchen was pollo sole mio -- a half chicken with chili pepper paste served with romaine hearts and a dressing with just the right amount of kick.

We also enjoyed a delicious Super Tuscan -- Fattoria Del Cerro Manero. Reasonably priced and robust, the wine was a perfect accompaniment, and we soon found we couldn't pass up a second bottle.

For dessert, we ordered the crostata al cioccolato (a chocolate torte) and torta al limone, along with cappuccinos. I'll bet you heard the yummy sounds we made as we savored both.

There wasn't a scrap left when we set our forks down. We left feeling sated and warm from a wonderful evening. Thanks, San Diego, Little Italy, and Davanti!

On the Holiday Menu: Chocolate Crinkles and Popovers

2011-12-24T14:21:00.000-08:00

In addition to a classic pot roast, this year we'll enjoy popovers and Nancy's Chocolate Crinkles. How can we go wrong with such treasured treats?

The cookies can be made a couple of days ahead and stored in an air-tight container.

Nancy's Chocolate Crinkles
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 cups granulated sugar
4 cage-free eggs
2 tsps vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup confectioner's sugar

Mix oil, chocolate, and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl. Blend in one egg at a time until well mixed. Add vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Chill several hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350. Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and drop into confectioner's sugar. Roll around to coat. Place 2" apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 9-10 minutes. Do not overbake! Makes about 4-5 dozen, depending on ball size.

On to the popovers, which you need to make right before serving.

You don't need to be intimidated by popovers. They're really easy, impressive to look at, and soooo yummy. Somehow they seem to go best with beef, but I certainly don't restrict myself in that way. And neither should you!

If you don't have a popover pan, you can use a regular muffin tin, but they'll be smaller and baking time will be shorter.

Jan's Popovers
3 cage-free eggs
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 450. Spray popover pan with non-stick vegetable oil spray. In mixing bowl, beat eggs slightly. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Do not overbeat. Filll popover pans 3/4-full. Bake 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 and bake 25-30 minutes more or until golden brown. Serve immediately. Makes 6 popovers (or more if using muffin tin)

Christmas in Paris -- In My Dreams!

2011-12-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

A friend just gave me this adorable snow globe. As she said, leave it to the French to have "snow" that's multi-colored. Maybe it was intentional that the sparkly snow is reminiscent of the lights on the Eiffel Tower at night. Tres chic!

Wishing you and yours a sparkly holiday season, whether here or afar.

A Plug for "Cage-Free" Eggs

2011-12-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the video taken inside the enormous egg production facility that prompted McDonald's and Target to switch to different sources for their eggs? See the article on NPR's website. The hidden camera uncovered torturous practices. It's positively sickening to see these hens, whose lives are already limited to nothing but egg production, not just being restricted in their movement but also severely mistreated.

I checked out the cost of a dozen regular large eggs vs. a dozen cage free at my local grocer, and it's about double. BUT, even at $3 a dozen, eggs are still such a bargain that I intend to buy only the ones marked "cage free" from here on out. My sister Carol thinks the cage-free produced eggs taste better, too.

Your reward for considering buying cage-free eggs and similarly conscientious foods and products is an amazing coffeecake recipe (also from Carol):

Carol's Sour Cream Coffeecake

1 stick butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

2 cage-free eggs

1 cup reduced fat sour cream

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

Topping (mix in a small bowl and set aside):
1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup raisins

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine butter and sugar in large bowl. Mix in eggs and sour cream. (I use electric hand mixer.) Stir in dry ingredients. Spoon half into bottom of a greased 10-inch tube or Bundt pan. Spread with half of the topping. Spoon remaining batter over topping, and then sprinkle remaining topping on top. Bake 350 for 40 minutes or so. Delicious warm or at room temp.

Red-Shouldered Hawk

2011-11-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

I spent about an hour watching a Red-Shouldered Hawk at the edge of my woods today. He was considerate enough to shift his position several times so I could get a full 360-degree look at him through my binoculars. At first I assumed he was a Red-Tailed Hawk, since they're fairly common in these parts. But my tattered Roger Tory Peterson Field Guide helped me see my error.

The Red-Shouldered Hawk has a breast of rusty brown that helped me identify it, with Peterson's help. The hawk was perched above a brushy area that my cats have good mouse-hunting success in.

In addition to providing exceptional drawings, the thing that Peterson does so well is provide narratives in layman's terms. One of my favorites is his description of the purple finch, "as though dipped in raspberry juice." That's a perfect analogy, especially for a foodie like me!

Falling for Fall

2011-11-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

I love that scene in The Fisher King, where Robin Williams' character is leading a chorus of hospital patients in this song:

I like New York in June,

How about youuuuuuuu?
I love a Gershwin tune,

How about youuuuuuuuu?!

This tune could be reworked for Virginia's autumns:

I like Virginia in fall,
How about youuuuuuu?
I love the leaves and all,

Howabout youuuuuuuuuu?!

Even though my woodsy setting means I have to clean up thousands of nuts and millions of leaves, it's worth it for these few glorious weeks of colorful trees and mildly crisp temps. How about youuuuuuuuu?

Summer's Last Gasp

2011-10-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

The dramatic Canna Corsica is still blooming here in Northern Virginia in mid-October. It's a nice orangey-pink, appropriate for pre-Halloween decor.

This is my first experience with this lily bulb. Talk about low maintenance! And it seems happy at the edge of the woods with less than full sun.

Hail the Canna Corsica!

Patriotism in the Garden

2011-09-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the 10-year anniversary of 9-11, a praying mantis salutes the red, white, and blue.

Botti and a Bottle of Bubbly

2011-08-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

Aerial view of Wolf Trap.
Photo courtesy Wolf Trap foundation.

One of the best things about living in the DC area is access to Wolf Trap's Foundation for the Performing Arts. I try to get there at least once a summer, and unless it's a play/musical that I'm seeing, my favorite seat is on the lawn with good friends, good food, and good wine. My best buddy Susan and I enjoyed Chris Botti's (pronounced BOAT-ee) trumpet this week, accompanied by Rosa Regale. If you've never tried Rosa Regale, you might like it. It's on the sweet side, and very easy to sip. It goes especially well with good, dark chocolate.

All around us, people were opening bottles of wine and champagne. One sparkling wine cork went a-flyin'. We didn't have such a problem, as the mini-bottle of Rosa Regale comes with a screw top. Uber convenient for tail gating and such! There's always such a good vibe at Wolf Trap. People spread out their blankets, open their coolers and hampers, and dig in during the hour or so leading up to show time. You just can't beat the $30 ticket price.

Our menu was comprised of a few items that have become standards: chicken salad that Susan enhanced with raisins, cranberries, and almonds; wild rice salad; tangy cole slaw; broccoli salad; and molasses cookies. Since we only had a tiny (some might say single serving size) bottle of Rosa Regale, we also enjoyed Blue Fish reisling.

As for the show, we weren't disapponted. Chris Botti is amazing. Check out his music. He's been know to perform with Sting, YoYo Ma, and other high octane performers. My favorite number is Emmanuel, the duet he does with a violinist. The first time I saw him, at the Kennedy Center, he was performing with Lucia Micarelli. The Wolf Trap performance's violinist, Caroline Campbell, was equally talented. Now, back home, it's time to crank up my mp3 player.

Holy Coleus, Batman!

2011-08-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

susan's 'coleus on steroids' and impatiens

My BFF Susan has been getting into a bit of gardening. Judging by her huge, potted coleus, pictured at right, she's got a green thumb right out of the gate. I like the way she added some impatiens at the base. They complement the pinks, and hide the coleus' tendency to be leggy.

rosslyn office building

I shot this photo of a beautiful coleus display in front of an office building in Rosslyn. It's gorgeous the way it spills over onto the granite bench.

sweet potato vine and coleus

I can't seem to grow coleus with such grand results. It's like making good hamburgers -- who can't make hamburgers?! ME! I can make gourmet meals, but not hamburgers. Something so basic shouldn't be such a challenge. That said, I've managed to grow one coleus in a pot in my breezeway this year. This pot also sports a sweet potato vine and a small trellis. The sweet potato vine chose to "spill" instead of climb, but you can't beat it for easy care, even with all the shade my yard has. I just plant and pray things will survive.

exfoliated mantis

Speaking of praying, I've been seeing a lot of praying mantis in my yard this summer. I wonder if this means I have more crickets and aphids, or if it's because I no longer put chemicals on my lawn. One climbed right out of her skin, and left it on a front window screen. They apparently molt like this several times a season. Here she is, sporting a new outfit, with the old one ready for the Goodwill bin.

Bluebird on My Shovel

2011-08-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

I think the actual words are "bluebird on my shoulder," but close enough. When did bluebirds become so prolific again? I've got a couple of bluebird houses in my front woods, one of which seems to be in constant use starting in April. The second one was just added this past spring. I know the birds found it -- I caught a male sitting on the opening soon after I'd put it up. But they never nested. Maybe they're like timeshare owners -- they like returning to the same old spot year after year. Zip-a-dee do-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!

Wind Chimes and Other Garden Embellishments

2011-07-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

Adding eye candy to the garden may seem like gilding the lily -- who needs man-made items when nature is in all its glory? I suppose that might be true, but like adding a bit of bling to your Chanel suit, lawn ornaments add a touch of the gardener's personality. Besides, sometimes, more is just more. The garden provides a place where we can be a little whimsical, even tacky, adding things that we would never dream of adding indoors. I say amen to that!

My son gave me these gorgeous "Shenandoah" wind chimes above for Mother's Day. They're made locally, so of course the "Made in the USA" factor is a nice thing to support. You can buy them online, or through a few distributors such as Kitty Hawk Kites on the Outer Banks. Learn about QMT wind chimes.

And here's how they sound.

I have two other sets of wind chimes outside -- one made by my artist brother-in-law, who likes to combine stained glass with "found" things, evidenced by the silver spoons. These get lots of compliments for their unusual appearance. They kind of "clang," but being outside, the sound is rather pleasant.

The third set is wooden, and was made in Indonesia. Having lived in Jakarta as a child, I'm always drawn to anything made in the area, especially if it really screams Indonesia, as the paintings on this do. This one makes a very nice, soft donk-donk sound.

Ding ding, clang clang, donk donk! Between three sets of wind chimes and all the bird songs, it's no wonder I can never nap in the daytime.

Middle Sister Wine?!

2011-06-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, there really is such a vintner. I discovered their wines quite by chance at the grocery, and grabbed a bottle of the Wicked White and one of the Rebel Red in advance of my sisters' and my recent reunion. My middle sister is neither wicked nor a rebel, but she definitely deserved a special toast, since the reunion was her idea.

During this reunion in Chincoteague, we took one day to explore other areas of the eastern shore, including Chatham Vineyards. I liked their rose so brought home a bottle, and am hoping to have a chance to crack it open at Wolf Trap this summer with a couple of my chicas.

On another occasion, my middle sister and I visited Hip Chicks Do Wine in Portland, Oregon. Their "belly button wine" was my favorite. As with all their wines, it's meant to be enjoyed right away, and as the name implies, isn't the least bit pretentious.

Here's to all my sistahs and chicas! Hope you have a chance to toast each other this summer, too.

Black-eyed Susan Vine

2011-05-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this nifty vine at the local garden center, knowing I could find a good spot for it. Our back deck gets good sun, and having something fast-growing on the far side of the area will offer a bit of a natural screen without getting in the way. Info on this plant says it will grow vertically as well as horizontally, so I've added a trellis, and am also hoping the vines crawl along the deck railings.

Another great thing about this plant is that it should keep blooming into fall. I might also try bringing it indoors for winter, to see if it survives. Generally, though, my experience is that the plants turn ugly and spindly, and I get gobs of "drop" on the floor -- more trouble than it's all worth. Maybe it's time for some grow lights.

I'm guessing I have two separate plants in this one pot, as some blossoms are yellow while others are orange. Maybe I could divide it, and get TWO big vines going! That would be darn good for $12! We'll see how it does, and can do that next year if it survives. I'd hate to divide it, have it die, and then not know what the cause was.

If you have any growing advice for me, please leave a comment.

Garden Benches

2011-05-02T19:09:00.000-07:00

What is it about a bench in the garden? They certainly invite visitors to linger and enjoy the surrounding beauty. But really, I just like the way the benches themselves look--there's almost always something appealing about their shapes.

One of the cleverest benches I've ever seen was in a private garden during a visit to Charleston a few years ago. What a clever use of boxwood and slab stone! I actually got to sit in it for a moment--felt a bit like royalty.

My niece Kari just came back from a Caribbean cruise. She shared this amazing shot of a bench with a really impressive palm backdrop. There's nothing like the Caribbean and the far east Tropics for impressive flora. I need to get back to Indonesia. They do some impressive teak bench carvings, and then there are those stone thrones in Bali. Fantastic stuff.

A teak bench always looks best after its been out in the weather for a few years. Here's a nice, albeit somewhat plain one, also in Charleston. Can't you feature sitting there with a cup of tea, or better yet, a cocktail?

The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring, Tra-la!

2011-04-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

Your run-of-the-mill azalea.

That's from Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Mikado," in case you were wondering. My mother used to sing that around the house. She also sang "Oh, what a beautiful mornin' " from "Oklahoma."

Pink dogwood.

Spring in northern Virginia inspires that kind of happy-happy-joy-joy in me, too. Everything is new and interesting, the leaves on the trees are bright and fresh, things are blooming, the air is clear, and humidity is low. Give it another coupla months and we'll all be aching for a cold snap, but for now, life is good.

Woodypecker

2011-04-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

Years ago, we lived next door to a family with a young daughter who referred to the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker as Woody Pecker. [Immature snickering.] I thought of her the other day when I saw these two pileated woodpeckers at right doing their mating dance in my back woods.

We get lots of different woodpeckers where we are, including the adorable little downy, the snazzy northern flicker, and of course the dramatic pileated. While we're on the subject, is it pronounced PILL-e-ated, or PILE-e-ated? I've heard both. PILE-e-ated doesn't roll off the tongue quite right, so I'm going with PILL.

Here's a great photo courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, your go-to source for all things birdy. Doesn't he look just like Woody?

Food-Themed Movies: Kings of Pastry

2011-03-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

Movie poster courtesy
kingsofpastry.com

I love the movies. I love cooking. I love dessert. So, a movie about cooking + dessert = PERFECTION! Kings of Pastry is what reality TV only aspires to. The movie follows 3 of 16 semi-finalists as they prepare for and then participate in the stiff final competition for the coveted pastry MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) award, winners of which get to wear the famous blue, white, and red collars. The 3 are serious yet approachable professional chefs, each with his own strengths and weaknesses, inspirations, and reasons for competing.

The MOFs are held every 4 years. Pastry competitors use that time to perfect their skills in fantastic pastry, spun sugars, and edible, extremely fragile sculptures. During the 3-day competition, stress runs high as each chef frets over the likelihood of dropping or otherwise breaking their towering masterpieces before they make it to the display. Watching the preparations, learning a bit about each chef, and seeing glimpses of France was real entertainment. Guardian UK said, "I never saw so many strong men sobbing at once."

An added feature on the DVD I watched was a fashion show like none you've ever seen. The models are dressed in outfits made of chocolate. (Sadly, the feature didn't provide insights into the age-old question: How can I wear my chocolate bustier to tonight's play without it melting before the second act?) The fashion show, held for Chicago's French Pastry School’s annual charity event “For the Love of Chocolate,” raises money for scholarships for qualified students in the pastry arts. The "For the Love of Chocolate Foundation promotes commitment in pastry arts education for individuals looking to change careers, as well as individuals who have shown potential in the culinary field but who have no formal pastry education."

See if you can watch the movie and fashion show without making a visit to the cookie jar.

Presidents' Day Amarylis!

2011-02-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

UPDATE! This amarylis bloomed a second time for Presidents' Day. Maybe the $15 bulb was worth it after all!!

ORIGINAL POST: I just love the big, showy amarylis. This year I splurged and bought one of the special bulbs at a local high-end nursery--the bulbs that cost $15 vs. the $5 ones at the hardware store. I selected one that was very delicate--almost looked like an iris. Sadly, what I got isn't what was on the hang tag. But it's still gorgeous, and a real show-stopper. My older son, who couldn't care less about gardening, flowers, and the like, is even impressed!

The reason it's blooming now vs. during Christmas is that I was a wee bit late getting it potted. So, instead of a Christmas amarylis, I have a pre-Valentine's Day one. The color is just right, and it adds a welcome bit of glamour to a dreary January palette.

Since this bulb was rather pricey, I'm inclined to try saving it for next year. Anybody have tips on how to do that successfully?

Backyard Bird Count: Feb. 18-21

2011-02-18T03:15:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. Cornell University oversees this annual four-day event that "engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds."

I've participated off and on for several years. It's a great excuse to stop everything and really watch and appreciate our feathered friends.

To learn more, visit their website. I'd love to hear about your experience.

Stopping by Woods on Snowy Afternoon

2011-01-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

A trek through one of Virginia's state parks in winter may not appeal to everyone, but you get a whole different experience in the winter quiet. Recent snow and ice have started to melt, exposing remnants of fall on the forest floor. Here, nestled among a carpet of leaves in Leesylvania Park, is a spiny sweetgum tree ball, looking like a miniature rambutan in the melting snow.

The birders were out today, too, using binoculars and enormous lenses to view various water fowl, eagles, and heron. I saw one lone eagle high up in a tree, and I accidentally startled a great blue heron when I hiked along the river trail, his massive wings sounding a soft whoosh-whoosh as he took off from his perch above.

There was a lot of other small bird activity, too. The boardwalk that crosses a mucky section of trail gave me close-up viewing of cardinals, finches, wrens, and chickadees, who were gorging on little creatures that had come alive in what I'm thinking might qualify as a vernal pool. The birds were all quite nervy, hardly paying me any attention even though I was all up in their grill.

My walk also took me up on the park's main road, which cuts through two sloping portions of the woods. On one side, the slope is grassy and gets the sun. I saw a car stopped ahead and wondered why. As I got a little closer, I realized the people in the car were watching seven or eight deer grazing in the grass. The deer must be used to people--they stretched their necks up to check me out, but didn't scamper off as I might have expected. Reminded me of that Robert Frost poem, "Whose woods these are I think I know..."

Snowy Garden Intrigue

2010-12-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

I wonder if the bird who left these footprints noticed the second set, about 5 feet away on the back deck. Hmm. Maybe the presence of the second set explains the absence of more than a few of the first set. Gulp.

It's not easy being a lover of both cats and birds. When I was a kid, we put a collar with a bell on our murderous feline. But it wasn't long before he learned how to carefully creep along without causing the bell to jingle until the final pounce, when it was too late for unsuspecting birds to escape.

In my current setting, we have an overabundance (or maybe just an abundance now) of mice and other "rodential" creatures to satisfy my two kitties. Only rarely do they take down a bird. They've gotten several squirrels, both gray and flying, and a few chipmunks. But mice and voles are their favorites. Sometimes we humans receive these rodents as gifts--sometimes these gifts are whole, sometimes they're alive, but more often than not they're just "parts."

Last week I was gifted with nothing but the face of a little mouse. Why the face? Henry ate the rest--but couldn't bring himself to gobble up the face? Some sort of kitty morality? Or did he decide that was the best part, so saved it for me?

If you see Henry contemplating his Christmas gift list, let him know rodent faces aren't to my liking. Cashmere: yes! Rodent: no.

Zebra in Winter

2010-12-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

(Not to be confused with Lion in Winter. Nyuk nyuk.)

In summer, zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis) appears striped with its golden-dappled blades. In fall, feathery plumes develop--pictured at right. They're a welcome bit of Vegas show girl in the barren winter garden. The hang tag that came with this one said they're "deer tolerant," as opposed to "resistant," since I guess if a deer is hungry enough, she'll eat just about anything. The zebra grass is also drought and heat/humidity tolerant, which is most assuredly a good thing in northern Virginia, where horses sweat, men perspire, and women--who am I kidding? We all sweat.

It's definitely coat and mitten weather now, but I like the change in seasons. If I'm feeling a bit chilly, all I have to do is think back to July and August, when each day was an enervating barrage of heat and humidity.

Having a different view in the garden is another benefit of seasonal changes, replacing bird baths with gazing balls, appreciating evergreens for their hardy dependability, and watching dozens of juncos zip around in a cool-weather frenzy.

Sauerbraten Wine Pairing?

2010-11-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

My sister Carol's recipe for sauerbraten is fantastic. This version on epicurious is very similar. It takes a long time to make, but most of the time is "inactive," while the meat marinades, so it's not too big a deal. It's a great winter meal--hearty and goes great with yummy cool weather side dishes, plus cooking fills the house with a heavenly smell. I'm planning to make it for some friends next weekend. They're very knowledgeable about wine, so while I think a nice German pilsner might be a better accompaniment, I'd like to make wine available, too.

My thought is to have something that can stand up to the strong flavors of the meat, but won't compete with it. Perhaps a shiraz or pinot noir? Any suggestions welcome!

(The painting at left is something I was admiring on Etsy--what a great website and terrific way to support artists. I hope Robert Joyner doesn't object to some free exposure.)

Oh, Deer!

2010-10-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

My friend Debby wonders how I can have a blog entitled Gardening Wars and not be addressing the ubiquitous deer issue. We most certainly have our share of deer in my corner of Northern Virginia. Each property within my neighborhood has a minimum 1-acre plot; most people have 1.5 or 2 acres, almost all of which is wooded. So it's deer heaven.

We had a young boy in our neighborhood who was always getting into some mischief. We planted sunflowers in the veggie/flower garden in our side yard, which were about 3 feet tall when we left for vacation. When we got home, we were furious at the little troublemaker, who had clearly come into the yard and destroyed our plants. But wait--there were no broken stems or flowers anywhere. That was the first time we realized that the deer viewed our plants and flower blossoms as snack foods.

Liquid Fence is a spray-on product that I started experimenting with a few years ago with great results. I spray it on deer favorites, such as azaleas, lilies, hostas, and around the perimeter of my veggie/flower garden. If you can stand the smell while you spray, it dissipates within about 20 minutes as it dries. The repellant qualities last for a couple of weeks, even through rain, though a real torrential downpour might inspire you to reapply the stuff ahead of schedule.

Special deer fencing works well, too. My sister and brother-in-law have several acres in rural Connecticut. They invested in a tall flexible fencing that they wound through the trees just inside the forest edge. The black mesh virtually disappears within the trees and brush, deterring the deer but maintaining the view. Of course, openings such as the driveway get discovered, but it's better than nothing.

I'm intrigued by motion-sensor sprinklers, though I've never tried them. I have a bamboo fountain with a rocker arm that's supposed to deter deer, but the clunk-clunk was keeping me awake at night, so I've disabled that part.

I'd be interested in hearing how others deal with Bambi's brethren.

Belgian Sap Pots

2010-10-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Flipping through a magazine in the dentist's office, I learned of a seriously cool pair of antique shops in Frederick, Maryland called Great Stuff by Paul. The article was accompanied by a photo of little sap pots that had been repurposed into vases. So, on a beautiful fall day, I drove to Paul's and had the best time poking around the warehouse-type shops and looking at all their treasures.

As is the case with any one-of-a-kind store, Paul's inventory changes, so I was really glad they still had some of these interesting pots, and for a good price (about $8 each). Some are in better shape than others--this photo at right is from Paul's website. I actually kind of like the rough and tumble look--it adds character, right? The pots are Belgian, made of zinc, and are from the 1930-40's. They were originally used to gather tree resin.

It took me several months to decide what to do with these funky vessels, though. Then one day I came upon some mini-succulents at the plant store, and voila, an idea was born. I potted the succulents into glass votive holders that fit right into the bottom of the pots, then filled in with aquarium pebbles. These little cuties now sit on a window sill in my dining room (above left), getting a bit of natural light and asking for very little attention from me.

What ideas do you have for these pots?

Gerloczy- and George-Inspired Cappuccinos

2010-10-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

This past summer, I was able to find a great airline deal, so joined my sister for a few days while she was spending the month of July in Budapest. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Budapest developed a cafe culture that was nearly on a par with that of Paris. Decades of Nazi and communist control destroyed many of the cafes, but they're slowly returning. Gerloczy is a cafe about a block from the apartment Chris rented on the Pest side of the Danube, and where we enjoyed morning pastry and coffee on several occasions. It wasn't until I got back home that I realized how much I would like to have had a little keepsake of the cafe, so Chris shmoozed the cafe staff and sent me this cup.

For those times when visitors don't want to step out for a quick cuppa, the Apartment Olive that we stayed in had its own Nespresso machine for our use. It made delicious espresso, with real crema. When I got home, I got a similar model, and have been enjoying making cappuccinos which I sip from my Gerloczy cup.

Have you seen the Nespresso ads on Youtube, the ones with George Clooney? If you're in the market for an easy-to-use "pod"-type machine that happens to make amazing espresso, I can highly recommend the Nespresso. Having hubba hubba Clooney as their spokesperson doesn't hurt.

Hair-dos in the Garden

2010-09-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

I've got a pretty impressive Pony Tail Palm goin' on. What I like about it is its good looks, and as with the classic hairstyle, it requires very little care. In the spring, I move it to the front porch, where it gets afternoon sun. In the fall, I move it back indoors near a window. It only sorta looks like a pony tail, but it's a clever name nonetheless.

Then there's the lawn's Crew Cut. I generally cut the grass a bit long, so it won't get stressed during blazing summer days. In electric clipper terms, I probably use the #2 guide. One of my neighbors butchers his yard--I think he assumes that if he mows it down to the dirt, the mowing job will last longer. But really all he's done is ended up with the lawn version of a Cue Ball cut.

This summer brought an especially large number of wasps to my yard. Not until early September did I happen to look up and see a swarm of them gathering outside the attic vent. I haven't yet gotten up the courage to peek up close, but am fairly certain there's a Bee Hive up there.

The Bobwhite is something I think of now and then. Mom used to imitate its call, probably because Dad's name was Bob. I've never seen or heard a Bobwhite in my neighborhood, even though they're in the area. I wish they'd move in--raccoons like them. I'm thinking that if the raccoons have enough Bobwhite to eat, they'll stay away from my pet door.

Then there's the Pompadour. Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of the French king Louis XV, was instrumental in planting the gardens of Versailles with hyacinths. My garden boasts the adorable "grape" variety in spring. They're a fantastic purple, and a welcome bit of color after a long, dreary winter.

Are there any hairstyles in YOUR garden?

-Pony tail hairstyle photo courtesy hji.co.uk
-Jake Gyllenhaal, Dr. Phil, and Ellen Barkin photos courtesy gstatic.com
-Bee hive hairstyle photo courtesy guy-sports.com
-Pompadour drawing courtesy flavors.me

Flutterbies

2010-08-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

In honor of my grandmother Marian's birthday, I scored this shot of a Tiger Swallowtail on the Pee gee Hydrangea out front. Grandma loved butterflies (or "flutterbies," as Uncle Vince called them). She had butterfly clothes, shoes, jewelry, note paper--you name it. Nothing shmalzy or dowdy, though. She was a class act, always wearing the cutest stylish yet age-appropriate clothes and shoes. I think she was the first older woman who made me realize that getting old doesn't necessarily mean losing one's fashion sense.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Hummingbird Blur

2010-08-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

See the blur to the right of the red parts of the feeder? That's the best I can do with my cheap camera--the hummingbirds won't cooperate and land on the perch for a still shot.

C'est la vie. Such antics are what make hummingbirds hummingbirds, I guess. Just before I shot this photo, I was sitting on the porch and heard the high-pitched whine of a couple of them arcing wildly just beyond the porch railing. Their acrobatics are a lot of fun to watch.

My friend Shari has hummers nest under the eaves of her house in Portland, Oregon. My Dad had a mountain retreat in New Mexico that would be visited by several hummers at a time. In Northern Virginia, I'll often see two at a time, but rarely more, and they don't play nice. While one is feasting, a second one will come along and scare her away. Maybe limited feeding is how they keep their girlish figures.

Bird Bottles

2010-06-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw one of these was on the front of my neighbor's house. From afar, I thought it was some sort of pipe or downspout. A short time later, our family visited Colonial Williamsburg, and I had one of those "aha" moments. I bought one of my own, and have enjoyed having it on the back of my house, where it invites the wrens to nest every year. Even though it's near the deck, the bird bottle provides an environment the wrens seem to like. It doesn't hurt that wrens are fairly bold, so the occasional human or feline visitor isn't a problem.

If you're interested in the history behind these cute little bird houses, visit this Williamsburg page. To get one of your very own, visit their online marketplace.

Who You Calling a Blond?

2010-06-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

Impatiens are the dumb blonds of the plant world. Rarely do they present any kind of challenge, they're a dime a dozen, and yet they're very easy on the eyes. With my woodsy setting, they're especially welcome here, providing punches of color in various pots and plantings. For some reason, though, the raccoon that occasionally walks through my property will dig into these pots on the breezeway, making a bit of a mess. I'm guessing that he's looking for something to eat; maybe their proximity to my barbecue grill encourages the visit, and then he's determined to find the source of the cooking smells in whatever's nearby.

Hmm. Maybe the raccoon is a blond.

Honoring Father's Day: Dad's Bluebird Hydrangea

2010-06-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

My neighbors the Lawsons gave me a beautiful Bluebird Hydrangea after my Dad died. They had no idea how perfect their choice was--his favorite color was famously blue. (This photo doesn't do the plant justice--you can see other shots on this gardening site.)

Ignorant of hydrangeas' needs, at first I planted it in the front of the house, where it got afternoon sun. It struggled there, and so I did a bit of reading and found a much more suitable location out back, where it gets morning sun but afternoon shade. Now it's thriving.

This is a lacecap variety, quite different from the puffy, popcorn ball variety you might envision when you think hydrangea. Those are nice, too, but I kind of like the delicate nature of the lacecaps, even if the blooms are less dramatic. Since I've found a good spot for these, I've added two more to serve as a natural screen along the edge of my deck's unsightly underbelly. One problem, though... The slugs seem to love the hydrangeas as much as I do. So, I'm back to using those presumably environmentally unfriendly slug/snail pellets out there.

A Pacific northwest gardener said that removing the mulch will help keep the slugs at bay. Has anyone in northern Virginia tried replacing mulch with rock or other product at the hydrangea's base?

An Ode to Worm Poop

2010-06-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

My brother-in-law John, an avid gardener, sent me the strangest bottle of "tea" awhile back. It's made from organic worm castings. Castings are what certain earth worms create when they break down organic matter. This tea is a concentrate--one tablespoon is added to one quart of water to, as John says, "help your plants be all they can be!"

I've been using it on my African violets for about 5 months now, and as you can see from these photos, it's really working nicely. One of these three violets in particular was in a sad state. I was ready to toss it--but looky now!

John says this stuff builds extensive, healthy root systems; increases plant growth by 30%; suppresses harmful bacteria, fungi, and pathogens; and repels harmful insects. I'm giving it a try on some of my outdoor plants now, too. I'll let you know how it goes.

A Gardener's View of Golf

2010-04-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

There's a certain cosmic dovetailing between golf and gardening. Golf courses, by design, comprise a vast expanse of natural beauty. (Well, man-made natural beauty, if you'll excuse the contradiction in terms.) While settings and individual details vary, golf courses always include trees and other plantings, water features, rocks, sand, and grasses, all typical elements in many gardens. Wildlife is evident, and can be a joy and a nuisance, to both the golfer and the gardener. And the pursuit of both gardening and golfing often result in some, shall we say, "colorful" language.

Recently, my older son and I have been fitting in a fair amount of golf, both on the greens and at the driving range. Half the fun (for me, at least) is the walk amongst all that nature, and enjoying the various traps, er, features, such as ponds, rocks, and woodsy areas. Golfing in Alaska is a whole different experience. Unspoiled beauty is all around, and of course it's never beastly hot--at least not by Virginia standards.

Lastly, both gardening and golf often call for some funky fashion statements. If you don't otherwise have a yen for golf, maybe you'll at least be tempted by the cute shoes and colorful golf togs.

Fruit Blossom Salad: Cherries and Pears

2010-04-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

Washington is famous for many things, not least of which are the cherry blossoms. In case you're unfamiliar, 3,000 cherry trees were donated to our nation's capital in the name of the City of Tokyo in 1912. Tourists and locals alike come out in droves each spring as the blooms peak. This photo doesn't do the cherry trees justice--I took it with my cheap-o cell phone during a walk along the Tidal Basin. Imagine this shot much larger and with feeling. Or visit the official website.

Ornamental pear trees are big around here, too. I really like the Bradfords, but they say that they don't always hold up to strong winds and heavy snow. So we planted a Chanticleer Pear up on the edge of my property. The buds are just now starting to open up. (This photo is NOT mine. It's courtesy of CSU/Denver County Extension Master Gardener.)

Our property used to have a couple of peach trees, too. They were gorgeous in blossom in the spring, but between the birds and the squirrels, the fruit never had a chance. Weeping cherries didn't survive in my yard, either. Maybe the increasing shade is to blame for many of these problems. This blog isn't called "Gardening Wars" for nothin'.

Wine Pairing: Pork Roast and Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

2010-04-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

My Canadian friend Leslie told me about this very affordable Italian wine. I recently picked up a bottle, and am so glad I did. I opened it on a warm spring night, and served it with pork tenderloin done on the grill. Delicious!

If you're curious about the little stick and twine deal on the bottle, the story is that those are attached by local orphans. Some of the proceeds go to their orphanage.

Now, on to the pork tenderloin. I buy the "plain" tenderloins that come 2 to a pack (or 4 to a pack at Costco), not the ones that are soaking in all sorts of mysterious juices and flavorings.

One 16-oz piece produces about 3 servings. They're the easiest thing in the world to prepare. I like to slather one with a mixture of 2 T Dijon mustard, 1 T olive oil, a generous pinch of rosemary, and a few cranks of the pepper mill. If you have time, marinate it for a couple of hours.

Cook over a medium flame on your outdoor grill, turning frequently, for about 20-25 minutes a pound. When you cut into it, it should have a little pink in the center. Slice thinly and place on a warm platter. Warm up a little more of the Dijon mixture, and drizzle it over the slices before serving. Fantastic with roasted potatoes and a green veggie--and a hearty serving of that wine.

Cheery Woodlands Daffodils

2010-03-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

Living in the woods has its drawbacks. Once the leaves fill in, much of my property is shaded. I've carved out a small area in the middle of the yard for a vegetable garden, but as the trees continue to grow, the hours of full sun gradually diminish.

But, early springtime's bare trees provide some compensation. A few daffodils planted years ago have spread, no thanks to me, and provide cheery punctuation in the front woods. The azaleas will be next to take advantage of that setting. My collection isn't quite as nice a display as that at Winterthur Gardens in Delaware, but hey, it's all mine!

Waiting for Spring

2010-03-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

While waiting for spring to really, truly arrive, I scored this beautiful Madagascar Jasmine at a local nursery. The hang tag says it can be kept indoors with bright light, and then moved outdoors during summer. The blossoms are a stunning white, but the fragrance is a little stronger than I like indoors. Still, it's awfully nice to have something in bloom during these last bleak weeks.

I also potted a small Rosemary plant for indoor use, and have been enjoying bits of it in different recipes. The plant will ultimately be in a place of honor in a big clay pot on the back deck. Speaking of clay pots, I failed to move my herb pot into the garage before all the cold set in, so I had a little surprise the other day when I tried to lift it and the whole upper collar broke off. I wonder if I could glue it back on. (Does anybody glue/repair anything anymore?)

The Perils of Country Livin'

2010-03-02T21:35:00.000-08:00

I suspected something was visiting our basement, and sure enough, last night I caught a glimpse of a very healthy looking raccoon in my laundry room. He's probably entered (and possibly exits and re-enters) through the pet door. You can be sure he's been fully enjoying the cat food that's usually down there.

The County animal shelter will loan me a humane trap, but they close before I can get home. I'm hoping one of my neighbors has one to loan me. If not, Rocky will get to enjoy the basement until tomorrow. I suppose after 15 years of having that pet door, I should be glad this was the first time we've had an uninvited guest. At least he's cute.

Photo courtesy Florida Department of Health.

Fractured Poetry

2010-02-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

"I think that I shall never see,

Something as ugly as

A plastic shopping bag

Stuck in a tree."

Doesn't that tick you off? There I was, happily looking at the birds for last weekend's Great Backyard Bird Count, when I spied a plastic grocery bag hung up in the upper branches of a tree in my front woods.

They've started to charge 5 cents per bag in some of the grocery stores. I think that's a great idea. If you forgot to bring your own bags, 5 cents won't break the bank, but it will probably inspire you to remember to bring your own bags next time. Seriously, how hard is it to get into the habit of reusable bags?

Here's some great info on the toll the plastic disposable bags take on the environment. (Thanks to that website for the use of their photo, too.)

The Great Backyard Bird Count

2010-02-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. People around the country watch the birds for a few minutes a day over the course of the long weekend and then report on their findings. To learn more, visit the official website at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

This is a great activity to involve the kids in. I personally love it. It gives me an excuse to sit and watch the birds for a bit, either from inside my warm house or bundled up on the porch or deck. Once you record your findings, the Cornell Ornithology Lab gathers all the data and comes up with a sense of where the different birds are across the country. It might be interesting to see how Virginia's unusually cold and snowy winter will affect this year's counts.

Happy birding!

Enough, Already!

2010-02-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

We're having record snowfall here in Northern Virginia. All the more reason to tend to the bird feeders. Within minutes of refilling the feeder out front, I saw two bluebirds, a downy pecker, and a wren taking turns nibbling at the seed and suet.

Why don't the birds like the feeder out back? It has little trap doors that close when a heavy bird or squirrel lands on the perches. Do those features deter the smaller birds? The seed in that feeder always lasts so much longer.

I long to sit on my porch and ponder such issues. But, today, with so much recent snow, the chairs look to be coated in powdered sugar.

Powdered sugar...mmm. That leads to thoughts of cookies, donuts, and other baking. Time to head back indoors and get out the mixer!

Bluebirds A-Go-Go

2010-01-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks in part to the Girl Scouts of America as well as other birders, the once-threatened bluebird seems to be thriving, at least in my little corner of Northern Virginia. I started seeing them near the feeders last fall, so put up a new house out near the veggie garden in later winter. What a "cheep" (get it?) thrill to see activity in early spring, followed by eggs, and babies. We got a second hatching in mid-summer. I'd say I got my money's worth for that little bird house.

I'm desperate for spring. They must know that--a bluebird made his presence known just the other day near my feeder. I imagine he's scoping out the real estate in preparation for spring. Listen».

Channeling Julia

2010-01-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

Caught up like so many others with Julia Child's revival after the movie Julie and Julia, I was fortunate to receive Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" for Christmas from my kids. (Thanks, guys!) I decided to try her recipe for beef bourguignon, even though I have a recipe from my trusty Good Housekeeping Illustrated cookbook that produces some damn fine chow.

Julia's result was incroyable, of course, though I can't say with certainty that it was better than the GH recipe's version. I don't think her process was any more complicated, but it did take a bit more time than GH's. At the end of the day, though, following Julia's French methods was just more satisfying to me, the novice cook. As I followed the steps, I pictured her (or the Dan Aykroyd or Meryl Streep caricature of her) in her kitchen, speaking in her sing-song voice.

I have no interest in trying every recipe, as blogger Julie Powell did. But it might be fun and an interesting study to compare certain recipes to some other supposedly authentic versions I've been using for years to see which are worth any extra effort, expense, or time. I'll let you know!

A Second Look at Box Wines

2009-12-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to Alaska, my sister introduced me to Bota Box wine. I couldn't believe my eyes--my sister was serving BOX WINE?! Surprise! The Zin was delicious.

What makes box wine so practical for a single gal is the bag-in-box design. This technology keeps air and light out, and keeps the wine tasting fresh for up to 6 weeks. (I sincerely doubt I'll ever have a chance to test that theory.)

If you need more reason to try it, the packaging is eco-friendly. The box uses recycled, unbleached Kraft paper; the paper layers are bonded with cornstarch instead of glue; and the inks and coatings are soy based.

In northern Virginia, some of the Total Wine locations sell the 3L box for about $17. That's the equivalent of four bottles of wine for about $4.25 a bottle. Tell me that isn't worth investigating!

Yes, Virginia, Alaska Does Have a Botanical Garden

2009-12-08T21:59:00.000-08:00

People thought I was nuts to visit family in Alaska for Christmas last year. But I'd already been during summer several times, and Virginia so rarely affords us a white Christmas. Anchorage, Alaska, however, was a sure bet. Typically, they even have white Halloweens.

I must be cracked--I went back this December, since middle sister Chris had a "significant" birthday, and my niece and her husband's new baby needed to be met. (BTW, I think those are NOT unnecessary quotes around "significant"; see this clever blog on that topic.)

The Botanical Gardens in Anchorage are something to behold. They're even impressive in winter. Snowshoeing through the trails was breathtaking--literally and figuratively. Chris is pictured here, taking a break during our walk.

No trip to Alaska is complete without a moose sighting. This year's trip was no exception. I saw a beautiful bull, ambling along a la Northern Exposure.

I'm back home in Virginia now, happy to do without cold weather gear every day. But I frequently think back to the Chugach Mountain backdrop, and look forward to my next visit among all that natural beauty.

Fall in Virginia

2009-11-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure which is prettier--fall or spring in Virginia. I think it's all the trees that make the area so nice during those two seasons. The greens in spring are fresh and clean, but the fall is so colorful. New Englanders think they've cornered the market on fall leaf-peeping. But you can't beat Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway. Wherever you like to enjoy the changing of the seasons, I personally prefer the crisp air in late October and November. (Hmm...maybe that has something to do with my hot flashes.)

But I digress... One year we rented a cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire in late August. It never occurred to me that the weather there would be so very different from the sticky heat and humidity in August in Virginia. We actually used the fireplace a few times at night, and the water was frigid (comparatively speaking).

The silly little upside-down elf above is from the Annalee shop in nearby Meredith, New Hampshire. They have Christmas elves, too, of course, and they're MUCH nicer than the plastic imports you find in party stores. I just learned there's an Annalee shop in Waynesboro, Virginia, too. What a coincidence--Annalee and nearby beautiful leaf-peeping, both in Virginia and New Hampshire!

Pumpkin-Carving and Other Block Parties

2009-10-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

Each fall, my neighborhood gathers on a weekend afternoon a few days before Halloween to carve pumpkins. Grownups carve big pumpkins, children carve or paint smaller ones, while seasonal fair is enjoyed under the changing leaves.

We take turns hosting on each other's decks or porches. This year's gathering was on the Walsh's amazing back deck. It's one of those multi-tiered deals. Food and drink were laid out, several tables were set up for carving, and we all delighted in catching up on news, how the kids would be dressed for trick-or-treating, while sharing laughs and the frightening results of our carvings.

If you think THIS sounds like fun, you should be here for our winter holiday "progressive dinner." We start at one house, and enjoy whatever appetizers and beverages that host lays out. After an hour or so, we move on to the second house, which has laid out its own offerings. The walks between houses are often accompanied by impromptu caroles, comments on the stars above, jokes, and tons of laughs. On to the next house, and so on, with the last house offering desserts.

When "outsiders" hear about this progressive dinner, they can't believe anything so idyllic goes on these days. Seems that many communities don't even know their neighbors, let alone party together. I think that's a crying shame. Years ago, Willard Scott was in Washington, DC when he met a particularly nice individual. He later said that this DC resident was "as friendly as the folks in Manassas." I'll never forget that little plug for DC's country cousin!

Happy Wine Trails!

2009-10-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

At a recent meetup.com event, I chatted with some winos, er, people who like wine, and they told me that Naked Mountain sometimes offers special events such as lasagne lunches. I took a peek at NM's website, and found "Winemaker Dinners." As you might guess, the different courses are paired with appropriate wines. The pairings often include their chardonnay, which is, in my opinion, one of the finest around.

I found a number of similar events advertised on the Virginia Wine website. I also discovered that Virginia's fast-growing wines can be explored by "trails," or regions within the state. Let's say you're interested in the "Loudon trail." They provide a handy link to the Loudon County wine region events.

What a neat way to see Virginia while supporting local wineries and other businesses. See you on the wine trail!

Good Food, Good Friends

2009-10-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

I belong to a gang. No tattoos, no secret handshakes, no hazing, but rather a mutual interest in gathering over good food to celebrate each other's birthdays, holidays, and just because. We call ourselves The Gang of Four, and we started lunching together over 20 years ago. We've explored new restaurants and unusual cuisine, and have also hosted at each other's homes.

Today we celebrated Vicki's birthday at my little house in the woods. Denise brought a yummy fall-inspired sweet potato soup for an appetizer. I made The Silver Palate's Chicken Marbella (I adjust the recipe slightly by using a combination of dried plums and mixed dried fruit). It goes nicely with plain rice, plus I made Emeril Lagasse's focaccia and a flourless chocolate cake. I also made a red-leaf lettuce salad that included roasted beets and orange slices. Mark and Vicki brought wine. (You can never have too much wine.) Mark gave me the ultimate compliment when he said he plans to recreate the meal for guests of his own--I'd figured out all the pairings for him. He also said that the cake would fetch $12 a slice in a fancy restaurant! (Note to self: Gang owes me $36.)

For something different, and because it was a nice, crisp fall day, after lunch we took a hike on one of the trails at Hemlock Overlook Park. We spotted a pair of Great Blue Heron, heard woodpeckers and blue jays, and enjoyed seeing some of the last of this year's wild aster.

If you, too, are looking to work off a big meal and get some fresh air, or if you're looking for a volunteer opportunity, check out Virginia's award-winning parks. I'll be out there enjoying the changing of the leaves; I hope to bump into you.

Euphemism: Rock Garden

2009-10-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

Don't call it a drainage problem; call it a rock garden!

On the far side of my garage, I have a sloping lawn that gets the runoff from the driveway. To make matters worse, that side of the property doesn't get much sun. As the trees have grown and created even more shade, this area was not only unsightly, but an environmental and erosionary (is that a word?) disaster.

My friend Shari lives in Portland, Oregon. When I visited her a few years ago, I was bowled over by a stunning dry creek bed she was creating in her back yard. I decided to try to imitate it in this problem area of mine.

It's a work in progress, to be sure. But, bit by bit, it's taking shape and has added a lovely focal point in the side yard.

I started by placing a few rocks my kids hauled up from the stream at the bottom of my property into a curvy form, and each year I add a few more plantings and river pebbles. This fall I added three fountain grass plants toward the bottom of the space. They lend a bit of punctuation, I think.

Do you have any suggestions for new plantings in this mostly shady area?

Henri Dans le Jardin

2009-10-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Henry, aka Henrizzle (that's Snoop Dog-speak), or Henri when I'm feeling French, delights in stretching. He's the stretchiest cat I know. Here he is enjoying the grass alongside my rock garden, with one of brother-in-law Lance's "found art" sculptures in place amongst the stonecrop.

Lance Arnold is a semi-retired school teacher in Connecticut. He makes and sells interesting jewelry and stained glass panels, but some of his most evocative stuff is made from natural materials. I have some wind chimes of his made from stained glass shards and old silver spoons. Sounds weird, doesn't it? This "found art" style is not for everyone, but I like the sound the spoons make when they clang together, and there's something pleasing about the shapes.

Lance has found some of these materials in long-abandoned dumps (that's where the spoons came from) in New England. Other materials are found during walks in the woods or at the shore. If you think you'd like to see some of his creations, you can contact him: Lance Glass studio/gallery, 162 Amidon Rd., Ashford CT 06278; email: larnold0848@charter.net.

Container Gardening: Herbs

2009-09-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

I've found that having some herbs in a pot on my deck, just a few steps from the kitchen, works better than planting them in the 'real' garden at the side of the house. I'm much more inclined to make use of them if I can get to them quickly. The deck gets good light, and the potted combination of parsley, lemon thyme, and rosemary is gorgeous to look at.

As temperatures cool a bit, I'm inspired to make some focaccia. The rosemary adds such a nice flavor. I found several recipes, and think I'll try the one Emeril has on the FoodNetwork site this weekend. It's not a complicated bread, so there's really no excuse not to whip up this delightful carb. You can use the leftovers for sandwiches. Ham and Jarslberg, perhaps? Or maybe thin pear slices and turkey with spicy mustard. Yummy!

Moss Appeal

2009-09-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

To think one landscaper wanted to kill all the moss on my brick patio. Communist! I happen to love the way the moss fills in the cracks between the bricks. There are even a couple of places where tiny ferns are poking up. One garden I visited in Charleston, South Carolina last fall had a gorgeous stone patio out back. The owner chose to let the ferns take over. It was like a fairy tale setting.

My friend Leslie calls Charleston "Charlie Town." The whole area is a gardener's paradise. She's Executive Director of the Charleston Horticultural Society, so she was able to arrange for us to visit several private gardens when I was there. What a treat. (Thanks again, Leslie!)

Did you know you can propagate your own moss plantings in your blender? I haven't tried it (I have plenty, nay, too much, naturally occurring moss, thank you).

Phedre

2009-09-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

The closing scene took my breath away. King Theseus and Princess Aricia--Hippolytus' father and unrequited love, respectively--weep quietly as the lights dim. Phedre lies in a pathetic heap off to the side. Blood stains the ground where Aricia had earlier dragged Hippolytus' ravaged body into view.

Nope, no gardens, no cooking, and only one little bit of spilled wine! But I had to blog about this play anyway--that's how good it was.

Helen Mirren (The Queen, Gosford Park, Prime Suspect, and much more) is Phedre in London's National Theatre production at the Shakespeare Theater in Washington, DC. My buddy Susan scored tickets--she stayed up 'til 1 am so she could buy them as soon as the virtual box office opened. Good thing, because all shows were completely sold out within 4 hours. (Thank you again, Subay!) The production is rather quiet and understated, but still oh-so dramatic and delicious. The sets are grand, yet simple, with blue lighting evoking azure seas. Each subtle movement of Mirren's screams with meaning.

If you have a chance to see this production, I highly recommend you do so.

My 'Kill Bill' Fountain

2009-09-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Remember the scene in Kill Bill Volume I, where Lucy Liu's character is duking it out with Uma Thurman's character in a snowy garden? If you have the chance to see the movie again, listen and watch for the gentle plunk-plunk of a bamboo fountain. I was obsessed with that thing, had to have one of my own. It took some online searching to find one for purchase, but find it I did, and now I have one emptying into a blue-green Vietnamese pot. There are always a couple of frogs living in and near the fountain, and my two cats like the fresh, moving water. The motion and plunk-plunk sound supposedly deter the deer, but my ravaged hostas say otherwise.

Wine Festivals

2009-09-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Virginia's wine country is getting quite the accolades these days. Certain locales combine wine tastings and other horse-country events, such as the Commonwealth Polo & Wine Event in The Plains, Virginia. This year's event was held Sept 12-13. I wish I could have attended--they even allow the stomping of the divot during half time! I should put it on my calendar for 2010.

All is not lost, though. On September 18, the Barrel Oak winery in Delaplane has a sunset event with live music. On September 19, Peaks of Otter winery hosts "An Apple a Day." In fact, there are several events on the 19th--visit the official Virginia Wine website for the details. Maybe I'll see you there.

The Humble Pee Gee

2009-09-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

All hail, the humble pee gee hydrangea. No thanks to me, it thrives in the north-west corner of my house, the same corner where weeping cherry and crepe myrtle previously perished. This plant is the epitome of dramatic. Huge, softball-sized white blooms in August gently turn to delicate pink and then pale copper in early fall. The blossoms remain all winter.

I've had mixed luck cutting the blooms for indoor arrangements. Getting the thicker stems seems to be key--if I cut the thinner ones, they don't hold up. Turning them upside down to dry for a couple of weeks works well, too. Those dried arrangements add a nice bit o' fluff and charm indoors all winter long.

My friend Mark has oak leaf hydrangeas in his yard. They turn a delicious pinky/coppery color, and are accompanied by (you guessed it) oak-shaped leaves. Stunning stuff.

Dilly Dahlias

2009-09-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

My sister and brother-in-law grow amazing dahlias in rural Connecticut. When I'm feeling defensive and inferior, I point out that their garden gets more sun than mine. But, truth be told, they also have a couple of the greenest thumbs ever. Lance took the photo of their garden at left--the one with tons of peach-hued dahlias. That shot represents a fraction of their flower garden. (The lonely pink blossom at right is from my garden.)

They also always have a bountiful vegetable, fruit, and herb garden. Carol (below left) got into healthful cooking long before it was fashionable. She also manages a killer combo--cooking gourmet meals that are nutritious and a feast for both the palate and the eyes, all while maintaining a budget.

Just this weekend, I used one of Carol's recipes for an appetizer for dinner guests--salmon salad-stuffed tomatoes. I used cherry tomatoes, but you can use full-sized ones, too, for a yummy lunch entree. I also served a Pinot Gris from Oregon's King Estate--now that's some scrumptious end-of-summer fare.

Repurposing in the Garden

2009-09-04T12:26:00.001-07:00

Got an old concrete bird bath that no longer holds water? Have I got a plan for you! I had such a thing--broke my heart to just get rid of it, since the design is so pretty. But fine cracks in the bowl kept letting the water out. So I drilled a couple more holes in the bowl, and turned it into a planter. I filled mine with coreopsis, burro's tail, and some other sort of succulent I can no longer identify. Voila--it's quite happy in a new, sunny home in the garden.

All You Do Is Wine

2009-09-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

Remember when a wine tasting was a snooty event, only for the serious oenophile? Now anyone (even me!) feels comfortable trying new wines, whether at a vineyard, a wine boutique, or the grocery store. I've discovered several wine groups on meetup.com. One focuses on Virginia vineyards, of which there are many. In fact, Virginia's wines are garnering lots of accolades. Who knew? (Well, Thomas Jefferson, for one.) One of my favorite wineries is Breaux, near Purcellville. The setting is lovely, and the wines are quite nice, in particular a refreshing viognier. My meetup group has gone there for several tastings. Wegman's has an impressive wine department, and tastings are frequently offered. A local wine shop near home is the Opera House Gourmet. They've recently moved to a new location, but used to be up the street in what was actually an opera house--in sleepy Manassas, no less!

Give Me a Cooking-Themed Movie Every Time

2009-08-31T11:59:00.001-07:00

Some of my favorite movies revolve around cooking, gardening, or homey settings. Looking for a movie for your Blockbuster or Netflix queue? I recommend 'The Big Night.' And of course the more-recent 'Julie & Julia' is not to be missed. 'Something's Gotta Give,' with that amazing house and kitchen and take out from the Hampton's delis, gives a viewer the warm feeling of hearth and home (and there's writing!). Then there's 'Moonstruck'--that kitchen! And Under the Tuscan Sun--all that pasta and limoncello.

Alors, we mustn't leave out 'Chocolat.' Did you ever SEE so much luscious chocolate (and luscious Johnnie Depp). Speaking of Paris (we were, weren't we?), if you've never been to Angelina on rue de Rivoli, you gotta go. Put it on your short list. The hot chocolate they serve looks an awful lot like the tempting drink Juliette Binoche serves in the movie. Oh la la!

Rasil Bathbone

2009-08-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

From the four basil plants in my little garden, I make several batches of pesto each summer. I follow a recipe of Ina Garten's, with one minor modification--I use all pine nuts and no walnuts, while Ina uses a mix. The resulting pesto is so delicious, as my sister says before tucking into anything yummy, "this looks good enough to eat!"

A great easy use is to toss it with cooked pasta, a bit of melted butter, half and half, and freshly grated parmesan. Sometimes I put in some sliced dried tomatoes. Top it all off with a few twists from your pepper grinder. There's nothing yummier.

Slugs (and I don't mean the kind in a vending machine)

2009-08-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

I tried to be environmentally minded and use only "natural" (beer in a saucer) slug bait. It just didn't work. Too often rain would interfere, or someone might step on the dang saucer and dump out its contents. The pellets work great. But are they really good for the other critters in the garden? I fear a bird or toad will eat one of the dead slugs and himself get poisoned.