Designing in Life

May Day, May Day

So, if you only found one of these little guys popping up maybe you'd be shouting for help too!  I'm not sure what happened to the rest of the bulbs I planted, but I guess one is better than none!  So on this eve of May Day, let me wish you a very "Happy Garden Flowers."

For 23 years I was a floral designer.  May 1st always reminds me of this.  I love flowers.  I love arranging flowers.  I love the fact that you can put any colors you want together in your garden and they look like they belong there.

   You know, sometimes dinner looks like that too.  Nothing seems to go together, but if you enjoy all those flavors together, then hey, why not.  So here is what we have when I come to a grinding halt at the end of the day.  Missing is the cup of soup and the bread.  Appearing are sharp cheddar, hummus, assorted olives, red peppers, spicy lemon almonds and dried figs.  Simple, yet delicious.  Yup, gardens can be like that too!

We All Love Ice Cream

Uh Oh...I missed the free scoop day at Ben and Jerry's on April 21.  For anyone who wonders what that's all about, one day a year Ben and Jerry's gives free ice cream to anyone who goes into one of their scoop shops.  This year it was April 21.  So while I was basking in the beautiful Florida Sunshine with my pals, I was missing out...or was I?

Ben and Jerry's is located in Vermont.  I live in Vermont.  That's why their ice cream is extra special to me.  So, even though I missed free scoop day (did you?) I thought it might be fun to celebrate the day belatedly with two fun quizzes.  One you are deciding if the name they're giving you is from a retired B&J's flavor, or a band you found on My Space.  The second is deciding if the name is a retired B&J's flavor or a paint color.  One of the flavors is repeated, so you'll at least get 1 right.  Let me know how you do.  I recognized quite a few (what does that tell you about my ice cream consumption?)  And by the way, Nick made me buy the new "Chocolate Macadamia" which I had instead of dinner last night...excellent decision!

Speaking of chocolate, here is a picture of my friend Mary sitting on Forest Gump's bench in Savannah. 

Home Again (sigh)

After spending a week renewing old friendships and laughing harder than I've ever laughed, I'm having a hard time with the realization that my 3 best pals don't live next door.  Luckily for email, blogs and Facebook, it is a bit easier to keep in touch than in the old days.

The house we stayed in, which belongs to Mary, was spacious and accommodating.  This is the view from the patio.  Over the dune is the beach and ocean.

Yes, it's true that I witnessed several sunrises from the top deck - even though I went to bed later than I usually do – let's face it, I was afraid of missing something.

Sunset from the beach looking towards the shore was as wonderful as the sunrise.

Still friends after all these years.  June, Mary, Sally and Connie.  And we haven't changed one bit!!!! 

Catching up here at home, but more about the trip another day.

Plumeria!

First...I fixed the luggage link in my last post.  I encourage you to look at it because, well it's just pretty bizarre that someone gets their kicks out of photographing someone's stuff.  Enough said,now on to other things.

My plumeria finally bloomed.  It sure did take a long time.  Last year I had probably 6 or 8 blooms.  This year it looks like only 2.  Here is last year's picture:

What I didn't realize is that the flowers appear on what will be the new branches, and only the new branches bare flowers.  So even though I had 2 new branches last year, only one new branch this year appeared and produced flowers.  They are amazingly sweet smelling.  And as you may remember me saying, these are the flowers that the Hawaiian's make their beautiful leis from.
Tonight I am packing and ironing.  I have most of my things packed.  If it wasn't for my toiletries, I think I could just do carry-on luggage.  Shampoo, deodorant, conditioner, hand lotion, cologne – well you get the picture. 
Today I caught up at work and moved ahead so that everything is in order.  Being a one man (or woman) show can be challenging when you want to go away.  If there are catalogs or advertisements to do, it is important to have all of that done or at least submitted.  But if it has been submitted, you know you have to check your email to make sure everything went through.  I'm making sure there is nothing I have to check on because I want to r-e-l-a-x and have fun with my old friends!

Lost Luggage and Such

  As I've said, I'm heading out for a much needed break next week.  It seems so appropriate that I found this little gem on Casa Sugar's blog.  She sends you to a site called "Is This Your Luggage?"  It's run by someone who buys up all that lost luggage at auctions (when the airport has exhausted all efforts...what efforts you say?) I want you to know that this is what I learned - my underwear must be new (or I must not take any) if I'm running the risk of the airline losing it and this person photographing it.  Yikes!!!

Fiddleheads

Spring seems to be around the corner, or so it would    
seem with the warmer weather we're having this
week.  It has me thinking about fiddleheads, although it still is a bit too early for their arrival.  These early fern heads are usually good for picking some time in May.  They are known as the Ostrich Fern, and you can usually find them growing along rivers. (in Vermont, but maybe at your home too!)

The taste of a fiddlehead is between asparagus and spinach, but the flavor is more delicate.  The best way to cook them is to boil them, then saute' in a little oil/butter and a bit of garlic.  I've seen some recipes for pickling, but have never tried – although I've seen them sold this way in specialty stores.

So, in honor of these tasty little spring goodies, here is a very simple fiddlehead design.

Who are these Women?

Well, by looking at those faces we certainly know what they're doing.  They were four best friends in 1974, and worked at a restaurant together for several years called Fire & Ice, in Middlebury, VT.  As time passed some moved away, some stayed, but they always thought the day would come when they would get together again.  That day is almost here.
On Saturday, April 18, Mary, Sally, June and Connie will reunite on Amelia Island in Florida.  We have been waiting anxiously for almost a year when we planned the gathering.  My guess is that our jaws will be pretty sore after a week of catching up on all the years we spent apart.  I know we'll have a great time.
So I'm off to pull out some warm-weather clothes and get the packing started.   I'm sure I'll have some good stories to tell!

Happy Weekend

I hope you all have plans to spend time with your families tomorrow.   Since I saw some of mine last weekend, Nick and I will have a nice day to ourselves tomorrow, although we have been invited to brunch with friends at Cafe Provence, in Brandon, VT.

Before signing off for the weekend, I'd like you to see something I learned to do.  It's a technique on making a photo look like etched glass.

Here is the picture I chose, and

here is what it looked like when I finished.  Yup, I'm pretty pleased with the outcome!

A Beautiful Late Afternoon

What started out as a very chilly morning ended in a beautiful afternoon somewhere in the 50's.  I drove home with the window down, the warm sun shining in and looking at the Green Mountains. 

I know this picture is a bit blurry because I zoomed in, but I wanted you to see the new snow along the ridge between the Appalachian Gap to the left, and Mount Abe on the right.  Mount Abe is one of our favorite late summer/early fall hikes.  As you can see, spring hiking does not happen unless you're prepared for mud or snow.

If you are wondering what to have for your Easter breakfast, Joy the Baker suggests

a Dutch Baby with Orange Sugar.  I haven't had one in years, but I remember how wonderful they are – and since I live in Vermont, I can make one with real maple syrup.

Ukranian Eggs

 

Beth made these Ukranian eggs in high school  I've seen instructions for them, and if I had the right tools, I could probably make some, but maybe not as good as these.  I've had them for many years – haven't broken any of them!  If you'd like to see a tutorial on how they are made, I saw one on the Makezine web site.  If you decide to take on the project, send me a picture and I'll post it for you.

And check this out:

Nick finished the drawers.  Isn't that a wonderful thing!!!

And if you're wondering what to have for dinner – especially if it's cold and snowy (like it has been here), how about a very basic chicken and rice with white beans.

And on that note, dinner is served!