The Year of the Treepods

Alas, the end of the year. Most people I know are ready to wrap it up and put old 2009 to bed. Go ahead, un-Christmas the house, take out the trash, start with a fresh calendar and outlook on next year. I'm not sure I'm ready to toss it out the window. Ten years from now, I won't recall that 2009 was an exceptionally fantastic year, but if I put on my glass half-full hat, I can quickly think of 10 good things that I'll remember about 2009.

10. After 2 years of nothing but talk, I started a blog.

9. I learned to bake a most excellent chocolate cake.

8. Approximately 40% of my family survived H1N1.

7. Approximately 60% of my family did not have an opportunity to survive H1N1.

6. My gardenias bloomed twice; my delphiniums (biennial) did not bloom for the third year in a row (off to the compost bin they go).

5. Setting up a charge account for the kids at the local diner while on vacation provided me a full day of relaxation each and every day for two full weeks.

4. My landscape design business did not fail, in fact, it will post a profit for the second year in a row. (What recession?)

3. In spite of the excellent chocolate cake and the frequency of which I bake it, my overall health remains good. Too, my hairdresser also remains in good health so that I can continue to disguise my chronological age.

2. My husband, after 16 years of marriage (plus the 6 years we dated), became a Catholic like the rest of our family. Surely, the highlight of this Easter Vigil ceremony was two of our children helping with his baptism. And, the most excellent chocolate cake, this time with raspberry filling between the layers.

1. The debut of the Treepods. While they are definitely a 2009 creation, I think I'll keep them up a few more weeks to break in the new year.

Where's the Beef?

Forecast tonight in our nation's Capitol is 14 to 20 inches of snow. After braving a near bloody battle in the grocery store parking lot, the kitchen is stocked and ready to break in the brand new Crock Pot. (I gave it to my husband for his birthday last weekend. Romantic, huh?)

SO, the question is, what do I make first for a cold and snowy day? Something that will fill the house with warmth and delicious smells?

Ingredients on hand include stew meat, ground chuck, chicken, roast, onions, garlic (of course), potatoes, carrots and a cabinet full of herbs and spices. Plus, I always have lots of broth, diced tomatoes (paste and sauce too), picante sauce and Tabasco and beans galore. I checked the herbs still alive in my pots and if I can dig the snow off them tomorrow, I'll have fresh basil, parsley and thyme.

Feel free to send suggestions - and I'll let you know how it turns out!

Liquid Dinner

Most of the time, I like to drink icy cold beer in a longneck bottle. My preference is for domestic brands with a light, watery flavor - generally not-very-well-respected by regular beer drinkers. Gotta keep an eye on the waistline . . . never mind that I just tossed out the scale. No, a new one is not on Santa's list.

The holidays can wreak havoc on the mid-section, hips, thighs and jowls. As I sit down to respond to a few holiday party invitations (and "weigh" the consequences), I remembered the strategy of the parents of dear friends -- Thursday Night Liquid Dinner. Once a week, these mature adults, over the age of 21, drink their dinner (responsibly, at home). Skip the meat and potatoes. Forgo the heaping bowl of pasta. Mix up a delicious drink. Sip with the s.o.s.o. ("spouse or significant other"). Devour delightful conversation. Turn in early for a little extra beauty sleep.

Here's their Cosmo recipe that is sometimes on the Thursday night menu.

Cosmopolitans

1 1/2 cups vodka (use a good one, please)

1/2 cup triple sec

1/2 cup Rose's lime juice

2 1/2 cups 100% cranberry juice

Mix in a pitcher and chill before serving.

Is it Thursday yet?

A Bountiful Harvest

The mess of vegetables and greens turned into this lovely Thanksgiving arrangement to be auctioned off tonight at a fundraiser for the gardens at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown.

Why vegetables? Surely, the harvest of edibles from the garden just inspires a display. But, the real reason is that the other arrangements will be designed, crafted and created by truly professional floral designers. My realm is outside, not inside. I had to diverge from the traditional and take a completely new slant on the holiday table decor (turkey not included).

For those curious about the yellow thing in the previous post, it's Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus, Buddha's Hand and is often used in Asian cooking. It didn't make the final cut today.

The following is the list of vegetables and herbs that are in the arrangements:

Allium porrum, Leek
Asparagus officinalis, Asparagus
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera, Brussel Sprout
Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Georgia’, Georgia Collard
Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Bicolor’, Ornamental Kale
Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Purple Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. italica, Broccolette
Brassica rapa ruvo, Broccoli Raab
Brassica rapa, Turnip
Cynara scolymus, Artichoke
Petroselinum neapolitan, Flat-leaf Parsley
Raphanus sativus, Radish

What in the World . . .

. . . could this mess turn into?

Check back Friday for the answer - and bonus points for anyone who can identify the yellow thing in the photograph.

"No"vember Update

Only two weeks into the month and I've just now remembered it's my month to decline invitations to do anything I don't want to do, or don't have time to do, or think I do have time to do but really don't have time to do. Squandered away these precious two weeks (for reference, please read "Volunteer Junkie" posted 9/23/09).

So far, the tally is way too long - planted pots at our library today (in the dark, no less - more on this when I can take photos in the daylight hours), helping a priest create an arrangement with Biblical inspiration for an auction (and believe me, there will be more on this), help with an online auction at my daughter's new school (I swore "auction" was a banned word in my personal dictionary), and help my husband develop a website for his newest entrepreneurial endeavor (harder to say no to him, well, not really, but I'm a sucker for blue eyes).

Am I doomed?

Patience Is Indeed a Virtue

As I tromped back to the house after putting the trash out early this morning, I was greeted with a lovely November surprise, a fall blooming camellia literally bursting with blossoms.

I planted this Camellia sasanqua 'Autumn Moon' in my garden three years ago. It has struggled to make itself at home, even though it is sited perfectly - protected from the harsh southern exposures, partial shade (morning sun, afternoon shade), in moist, but well-drained acidic soil. William Ackerman could not have found a better spot for this plant in my garden. I pass it many times each day as I leave and return home. I've watched and waited. And today, at last, the reward.

Oooh, the metaphors for growing children . . .