Tulips for Easter

“Beauty is not caused. It is.”
― Emily Dickinson

Earth Hour

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Addendum: In response to Kathryn's query, here is how I spent Earth Hour -- enjoying a warm and nourishing dinner and lively conversation with my Mom.

Recipe in development -- basically it consists of alterating layers of (1) whole wheat tortillas, (2) a mixture of corn, peppers, salsa, seasonings, and "refried" (lard-free) black beans and (3) a mixture of cottage, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, all baked in a spring-form pan.

First day of spring (hurrah, the Vernal Equinox has arrived)

It's official: Spring has arrived. But to be honest (and don't hate me), this year Spring arrived on the balcony in mid-February.

I've been a busy dietitian so although I did manage to get some seeds sown, I haven't had time to blog about the garden. Here's a quick catch-up post, featuring the early bloomers during the past few weeks:

Iris reticulata, February 16, 2013

Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops), March 9, 2013

Crocus chrysanthus (Snow Crocus), March 9, 2013

Christmas morning in the country

Amaryllis

Amaryllis

By  CONNIE WANEK

A flower needs to be this size

to conceal the winter window,

and this color, the red

of a Fiat with the top down,

to impress us, dull as we've grown.

Months ago the gigantic onion of a bulb

half above the soil

stuck out its green tongue

and slowly, day by day,

the flower itself entered our world,

closed, like hands that captured a moth,

then open, as eyes open,

and the amaryllis, seeing us,

was somehow undiscouraged.

It stands before us now

as we eat our soup;

you pour a little of your drinking water

into its saucer, and a few crumbs

of fragrant earth fall

onto the tabletop.

Source: Poetry Foundation