Let the Planting Begin...

I've done a lot -- still have some left, but wanted to share what I've done before the *&^%#*^ rabbits eat all of my efforts. Even with the strongest repellents on the market, they love my impatiens, verbena, and roses. Mind you, the impatiens and verbena are in pots! They're climbing in and feasting. Time to borrow one of the grand dogs. Keep in mind that nothing is in full color, yet. Our weather hasn't been consistently warm enough, but I know it's coming.

These lovelies are waiting to be planted.

My Turtle Garden

The Back Garden


Lemon Tree; Gerbers; Verbena, Red Geraniums, and Creeping Jenny; and a pot in waiting. These are the steps the bunnies live under.

The garden that got away -- we'll be reworking this beginning this weekend.

Heirloom Tomatoes and the patio corner garden

Plants on the patio steps
So now you know that I haven't been spending ALL of my time on Facebook!

The Skemia Are Dying and Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

It is a cold, damp, and dreary day here in Maryland. Even Azrielle has bundled herself into a ball under one of the pillows on our guest bed. It's still too wet and chilly to be out there weeding (and the weeds are definitely calling to me!!). But Maryland is one of those places that goes from weather like this to sweltering temperatures and humidity, so it's only a matter of time. Did you know that French mercenaries who fought in the Revolutionary War stationed in this area (DC) received tropical pay? Well, that little tidbit and a couple of dollars will get you a latte!

I spent some time this morning out in the misting rain with a landscape specialist from a local nursery. Our front plantings are not doing well and I needed advice as to why. She suggested that I replace the rosemary and lavender with day lilies -- a great suggestion. I had always treated rosemary and lavender as annuals anyway, and was surprised when the guy who did the original landscaping had suggested them. We also have a Foster holly on each side of the house. The one on the NW corner has lost its leaves now for the second year in a row. I think the reason is winter burn -- and she agreed. We'll replace it with another heartier variety. I don't like plantings along the foundation that are thick or will cover the windows, but the skemia we have planted, although are lovely and stay small, are not doing well. She'll replace them with a type of boxwood that doesn't smell like cat urine as English boxwoods tend to do.

TAG at The Amature Gigolo and I decided to post two different versions of Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do." Here's mine on this Way Back Wednesday.

Harbingers of Spring and Turkey Puttanesca

I sit here two months too early anticipating what I will plant and where. Taped to my printer is this photo of part of last year's planting -- my 'stepscape'; it makes me feel better. Forgive the poor quality; it's a photo of a photo.


Last night's dinner was supposed to have been Turkey Puttanesca -- a recipe I 'cooked up' a while ago, but time got the best of me and we wound up carrying-out a couple of sandwiches. I'll be cooking the puttanesca tonight. Some of you may have enjoyed spaghetti puttanesca -- (this means old whore -- probably a reference to the dish's spicy, peasant origins) -- a tomato based sauce with olives, capers, and red pepper flakes. This recipe is my take on that, with a nod to the Greek dish, pasticcio.



2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 tsp minced garlic (or more, to taste)
1 red pepper, seeded, cored, and chopped
1 pound of ground turkey breast
1 17 ounce can of tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tps ground black pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup black olives, sliced in half
1/2 cup Spanish salad olives
1 tbs capers

Saute onion and pepper in oil in large frying pan. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking up large pieces while cooking. When turkey is sufficiently browned, add tomato sauce, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cloves . Stir well and simmer for ten - 15 minutes, adding water or chicken stock if too thick. Add olives. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Lightly stir in capers; heat to warm.
I serve this over brown rice, but white rice or pasta would be great.