Thursday, April 30, 2009

Finally, something to blog about

Well, it's four weeks tomorrow that I had my surgery, and the physical therapist says that I am right on schedule. I am able to be out of the sling for increasing amounts of time, so I have managed to take some pictures. I always think that blogs are more interesting with pictures, don't you?

We spent some time working in the yard last Sunday. Mike planted these mandevillas for me on either side of the garage doors. The idea is that they will grow up and over the top of the doors and meet in the middle. I have seen this elsewhere, and really like the effect. I will keep you updated on their progress.

These are our Belinda's Dream roses. They are Earthkind, developed to do well in this hot, wet climate. I neglected to prune them this year, but that doesn't seem to have inhibited their progress.



Every year, after our forced amaryllis have finished blooming, we plant them outside along the north fence (there were some growing there when we bought the house so we have just kept adding to them). I think, coming from the "frozen North" we are intrigued that we can grow these outside.




This is another flower that is not hardy up North, but comes back every year here in Houston, the canna lily.
This is a macro shot of one of our Turks cap blossoms.


Our old compost bin has seen better days, not to mention that it is full!

So we bought another one, just like the old one, and set it up.

Okay, I know, new compost bin, not so exciting, but new couch, now that's exciting! Remember when we ordered it, December 30? They told us it would be 2-4 months. Well, today, four months to the day, it was delivered. I am sitting on it as I type.

We have already decided that we need to get a new coffee table...not sure what style the old one is, but definitely not Craftsman. We could go back to the Amish Craftsman, but might just order this one.

Hmmm...maybe a new rug too.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Les Petites Images: Palak Paneer, Part One: Paneer

Okay, while I may not be cooking anything worth blogging about (I get the sling off on Friday!) my daughter is making cheese in her kitchen!
Les Petites Images: Palak Paneer, Part One: Paneer

Friday, April 24, 2009

Pink towel hood


Pink towel hood
Originally uploaded by pepleo
This is too freaking cute!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Marmalade...

I have previously posted about my dwarf calamondins here and here and here. Well, spring is citrus season here on the Gulf Coast and they were ready to be picked. I am not particularly fond of marmalade myself, but Mike likes it and I really wanted to do something with the fruit besides feed it to the squirrels, so I decided give it a try. I used this recipe. I had to laugh at the statement "Apparently, the tree was not widely distributed, because I have never met another soul who knows what a calamondin is," because I have found the same to be true. Mike bought the tree for me a few years ago at Christmas and I think he picked it out because it was full of fruit. Here is this year's harvest.

Seeded and sliced...

Boiling with water...


The "stock" ready to sit overnight...


Boiling with the sugar...

Poured into the jars (both of them)...

And out of the hot water bath. The one with the canning lid "pinged" and drew a vacuum like it was supposed to. The other jar is in the fridge for Mike to enjoy. He said it is quite tasty. Like I said, I'm not a fan, but it is pretty, and I was happy to have made something from my garden.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Friday, April 10, 2009

One armed blogger

I had rotator cuff surgery a week ago today and will be off work for at least two months. I had thought that I would take the opportunity to blog more, but guess what? My right arm is in an immobilization sling, so typing is an adventure, and I'm not doing anything worth blogging about! No sewing, no cooking, no gardening, no photography, nada. I did get a bingo in Facebook Scrabble earlier today...that's my excitement for today. And oh yeah, I almost finished our taxes. Who knows what tomorrow holds?

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Heath ceramics

On the Saturday we were in the bay area, we took a drive over to Sausalito and visited the Heath ceramic factory and store. I had been wanting to do this for a while, and when we were in Berkeley we learned that Chez Panisse uses their dinnerware. They have been in the same location for 55 years.


In addition to dishes, they also make ceramic tile.

Mike was very patient as I oohed and aahed.


I would have loved some of that cobalt blue...





So many pretty things...

We didn't buy anything, but we came home with a greater appreciation of the pieces we have. These serving bowls and platters belonged to Mike's mother, so I guess they would be considered vintage.


I bought these matching cups and saucers on eBay several years ago.

As well as these plates....

And speaking of Chez Panisse, I just saw this interview with Alice Waters posted on Design Sponge.