It's winter here

 

A very lovely surprise, who expects snow this early in the year?

Time flies...

 

 

I don't know where the time went!

Covid did a number on all of you,

we were spared by vaxing and staying home!

BUT, I'm back...for what it is worth.

Given that I'm a retired landscape designer, the south garden has undergone multiple changes. One reason being that we

went into a moderate drought and rather than use the well water for pretty flowers, I opted for water for people and trees.

Another reason is that every time I sit in the garden I can see a way to make it more interesting.

Here it is in June 2024!

Spring came, Summer came, Autumn is here and nothing has changed!

 Except the leaves

We had an early freeze and the leaves were properly zapped for color, thus, all of the ones on the outside of the tree became this wonderful color. The sheltered leaves stayed drab, alas. And now they're falling, rake time!

Spring was mild, a little snow, a little rain and then summer came with a total drought. Decided to let everything adapt and save what little water might be in our well for humans and animals. Plants can always be replaced when the climate changes.

It has been a very sad year for all of the world's people, Covid-19 and the extraordinary death rates, the earthquakes, the monsoons, the hurricanes, the political situations all over the world.

My prayer for all of you is that we will reactivate the Golden Rule.

Look it up if you have no idea what it is!

Blessings on ALL peoples.

It's easy to make and may save a life

This is one of the ones I made

I've been making face masks for the past couple of days, they have all been given away to those who
need them. BUT, the NYTimes has a great article on how to make your own and be assured you need to make one as soon as possible. Here is the URL:
How to for a MASK

They are super easy and I'd suggest using an old pillow case if you don't have fabric. If you do have fabrics available, quilting weight or any tight weave will do.

This is the New York Times drawing of the finished product!

Good Luck and stay  safe

Be Brave and think positively!

There is a reason for everything normally, but this isn't normal, the fact that we are under siege is rampant stupidity and avoidance of reality.

We are all terrified, as we all want to live forever! I hope we all will.

However, now is the time to think all the things that you've  always wanted to think about, create the things that you never thought you'd be able to create.
Say "I love you" to the people who matter  and "I'm Sorry" to the ones you should have said it to long ago.

Watch the sun rise and set, be aware of the coming of Spring and the new moon shining brightly.
Hold tight to the things that are really important and don't despair.

Spring is slowly coming to Casa Manana, one day snow and one day warm. We know that all things will change, and the seasons will progress as usual. We need to relax and enjoy each day.

Happy Holidays, Welcome Winter

The fabulous hollyhocks, they were amazing this year!

                     

   

Happy Holidays and may the gods of love bring peace and good health in the coming decade!

Happy Holidays, Welcome Spring

We are finally enjoying warmer weather and all the plants are saying thanks for the snow and rain!

Except for the apple tree, I counted 8 possible apples this year, it is taking a rest from its abundant crop last year. Can't say as I blame it. Everything should take some time off from reality every once in awhile.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover, may your lives be filled with love and peace.

Where have I been, you ask....

What a year this has been, and I sure hope that it will improve!
Healthwise, politically and I hope we find the old-fashioned feeling of respect for ALL mankind.

The good news is we have had about 260 inches of snow on the mountain! There is snow melt
in the river and we have never had so much moisture in the ground here in years! Happy, happy!

3.5 on February 23 for a total of 23 inches here at  Casa Manana!

 We left the gate open all winter so that we could get out and the sun could get in!

Now the daffodils are coming up with some already blooming and with luck the tulips
will shine on April 1!

Happy 2019, may you be happy and healthy

 As we go into a new year, we are in the beginnings of another snow storm! As much as we need the moisture here in the southwest it certainly puts a crimp in travel.
So far, we have had 9 inches here at the manse and they are predicting another 7 to 9 inches. Wheeeee....

Those huge clumps of snow on the pinon trees haven't melted a whit since it came down 5 days ago!
I wonder what the breaking point will be!

Happy New Year to you all and best wishes for a saner 2019!

We have snow on the mountain.....

        I do think it is going to be a loooong winter, or at least it will look that way. It has been cold enough for the snow to stay all week and is accumulating!

        I finally picked the last of the apples, yeah!

      I just had to share an apple recipe I discovered in the Cabot Cheese newsletter.
If you haven't tried it, please do. It is divine.

Here is the link:  https://www.cabotcheese.coop/cheddar-apple-crisp

      The recipe calls for cooking this in a 10 inch iron skillet, and as I don't own
one that size I opted for this casserole. I can't see that it made any difference.
This recipe is addictive! I also added more lemon juice than they called for.

               Since the oven was hot I made a couple of loaves of bread, using the no knead method and some interesting flours from King Arthur Flours.

            The back story of this pie is that I thought I'd be very clever and cut out coyotes from the pie crust and then fit them back in the pie after all had been cooked.
             Well, as you can see I had a bit of a problem when the pie crust broke and some one in the house ate two (2!) of the baked coyotes!
              All I can say, it wasn't me. The pie was very good, I had eliminated  half of the sugar the recipe called for as our apples are very sweet.

Now I'm off to make applesauce without any sugar at  all.