Janet's House

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

This wonderful soup was served at my mother-in-laws 90th birthday celebration in February. It is so rich and delicious, and I was anxious to serve it to my recent guests.  I followed the recipe ingredients and directions except chose not to bring the broth to a boil. Being a milk based soup I didn’t want to take the chance that it might curdle.  It tasted perfect and served  with salad and bread it was plenty filling; a perfect mid-week meal.

Here is the recipe as listed from Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food.

• 6 ears corn, husks and silks removed
• 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch strips
• 8 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
• 2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning (I used Pike Place Fish) 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Cut off tip of each cob. Stand corn in a wide shallow bowl; using a sharp knife, slice downward to release kernels. Scrape length of each cob with a spoon to release pulp. Discard cobs.
2. In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium-high until crisp and browned, 4 to 6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels.
3. Add scallion whites and potatoes to pan; cook, stirring, until scallions have softened, 1 to 3 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add milk, seafood seasoning, thyme, and 2 cups water.
4. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add corn, shrimp, and scallion greens. Cook until shrimp are just opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Season chowder with salt and pepper. Serve topped with bacon.

 

                      A big garden bouquet, bowls and plates ready, favorite tablecloth, new napkins and dinner is served.

                                                                                                  Enjoy!

Sunday Quote

Enjoy your Sunday, rain or shine. Flowers are proof that spring has truly arrived!

You've Got to Have Friends!

It’s been a busy week getting together with both book groups.  All in all ten wonderful women who are such fun to share our great reads, great food and lots of conversation. This ancient picture was taken of my earlier buddies.

I saw the first part of this quote the other day and although it has many levels of meaning, it made me think of the importance of friendships.  We all had our little tribes when we were young and we gather new friends throughout our years. I feel extremely lucky to have such a variety of enjoyable friends in my life.  I always come away laughing. Friends help us through the good, the bad and the ugly. They are who help keep us happy, strong, connected and honest.

                                                                            Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Put a Bird on It!

With a nod to the crazy Portland based Portlandia television series, I’ve decided to use a bird design to decorate my napkins.  One episode made the suggested we “put a bird on it” to make most anything more inviting and I’ve noticed how many things look better, more interesting or just more fun if you do just put a bird on it.  I wanted to make spring napkins so what better place to add a little song sparrow.

I chose this particular little bird because there’s one that visits all summer, sitting on the peak of the house next door and serenades us through our dinners on the deck. I’m pretty sure she may be the one that laid her eggs in my big ferns twice last summer. You can see why I have a fondness for her.

I got out my bird book, sketched my design on paper, then transferred it to my rubber block and carved the design.  I was careful to “think negative” which doesn’t sound the least bit creative. What I mean is that wherever I cut away is where there will be light space. Unlike the sketch where my dark marks show the markings, eyes and feathers of the bird.    

I wanted to print the little brown bird on blue fabric and I found this nice blue cotton. I cut 15” squares, stitched 1/4” around each piece, then tossed them in the washer and dryer with towels to fray the edges. After carefully printing my little birds in the corner, drying and pressing, I now have six new napkins to welcome my guests this spring. If you don’t want to carve your own bird I’ll bet you can find stamps and ink pads and stamp ready made napkins. Fun!

Dog Wash

A sunny weekend provided an opportunity for outdoor dog bathing. Each dog has their own distinct personality and it always shows up during  bath time. The chocolate lab is very dutiful, stands still and ‘takes it like a man’. The youngster gets wild and crazy . I bathe him last so he can see that the other dogs don’t die during their bath, hoping to soothe his mania. The big old black lab is not happy and she doesn’t care who knows it. She’s not dutiful at all; I have to hold her tight, and I’m pretty sure I hear some dog cussing under her breath.

I lay the hose out to warm in the sun, grab some healthy herbal dog soap and call them over one by one. A quick sudsing, lots of rinsing, then let them go run and roll it off. It doesn’t take long and it’s so nice when they’re all cleaned up.

                                  

Dutiful but worried                                             Crazy, wild and yet curious                              Old and not at all happy about a bath

In the end they all survive, they dry in the sun, they smell much much sweeter and get a bit more love from their people.  A beautiful day but all they want to do is get back inside.   I say no to the wet dog smell. Just air dry a bit longer.

                                                                              The sweetest one of all, fresh, clean and relaxed.

                                                                                              Happy Monday Everyone!

Earth Day 2012

   Happy Earth Day everyone. Make this day count; do something nice for our beautiful planet.

Visions of a Blueberry Shed

I’m attempting to pull together ideas for the shed colors.  In a recent comment Connie suggested blueberry colors and I thought-perfect! I love blueberries and their beautiful tones. I also love their taste and I have bushes growing in the garden where the shed is located. Parts of the shed would blend into the garden, but there would also be little surprises of accent colors to pop and add interest.

     

I took my blueberry picture with me to the paint store to pick up a few colors. Now I must look at the door and window to see if I can work in all the shades. The main part of the shed would be green and the door blue. The pink and purple accents would be worked in around the window frames. What do you think?? Any more suggestions??

A Productive Weekend

Wow! Three whole days of spring-like weather can lead to an abundance of accomplished tasks. I ordered a load of nice, dark brown hemlock bark dust which was delivered on Thursday afternoon  knowing the weather would improve on Friday. We spent Friday afternoon shoveling through 2 yards of the stuff, piling it over top my freshly weeded front gardens.  Everything looks clean, lush and the plantings look more defined.

 

 

On Saturday I was up early. I broke out the power washer and cleaned the shed in anticipation of painting. The slow process allowed me plenty of time to be thinking of colors or color combinations but I’ve still not decided. Any suggestions??  I also had a bit more energy and tackled the arbor in front of the shed which now looks newer and I love the contrast of the bare wood against the shed.  Hmmm, again, what colors?? I removed the door for scraping and sanding and must let it dry before priming, hopefully later this week. It’s under the patio cover waiting for its fresh new coat of paint. I’m certain I want to paint the door blue, so I’m just down to planning my color scheme around that .

 

I planted the little area between the two fenced vegetable gardens.  Last year I cut the curved edge and had a plan for a variety of perennial blue flowers to last throughout the spring and summer. I love the way the tree and soft colors look  sandwiched between the two hard edges of fencing. I also see that we didn’t get around to edging.

 

On Sunday we moved the patio furniture to the freshly cleaned deck. I went to the nursery and bought annuals for the pots that sit there. Big blue pots needed lots of yellow flowers. Such summery colors…sun and sky I guess. As the afternoon began to cool we knew we’d have dinner on the deck; first one of the season. We also knew better than to add the cushions as it looked like rain. Sure enough, today it’s raining.  Ah well, plenty to do inside. Happy Monday!

Sunday Quote

 

                                     A lovely message for a lovely day. Happy Sunday everyone!

Diggin the Soap

I am diggin’ this garden soap. I bought it at a shop called Dig,  located in downtown Portland in the popular, hip Pearl District. It’s fun to step into a garden shop in an urban environment. No plants or flowers, but décor and art for your yard. The shop is full of contemporary sculptures, planters, fountains and garden art but it was the Mandarin Lemon with organic poppy seeds soap that caught my eye, or I guess my nose. It smells wonderful and at $20 a log I’ll get about 8-10 bars of soap.  It’s ingredients are all natural, even vegan and there are several other scents including mint & lavender. The owner of Dig buys them from a Portland woman who hand makes each one.  Good things all around! They’re pretty, thrifty and would make a fun gift. If you order one, let Thomas know I sent you his way.  And yes, they do smell good enough to eat!

Creativity and the Brain

I attended a wonderful lecture last night about creativity. How do we measure creativity? How can it be studied from a scientific standpoint? How can we learn to become more creative and why are some creative types more successful than others? Good questions. Jonah Lehrer has written a book, Imagine: How Creativity Works . He clearly did a lot of research and yet was able to present his findings in a way that the less scientific of us could understand and enjoy. He held the sold out crowd of 800 in rapt attention as he spoke to us about creativity, passion and science.

He spoke of moments of insight, creative bursts, epiphanies; that magic moment when a creative idea strikes. He reminds us of the times when we are struggling with a problem and the solution seems out of reach until we relax and only then our brain will give us the answer.

He suggests that we all allow ourselves a time of meditation or down time to allow our alpha waves to do their thing. Einstein said that creativity is a residue of wasted time . One should make time to waste time. The next time you go for a walk, take a shower or grab a quick nap, remember you are really focusing on being unfocused. Let your creative ideas come in.

Once you have the creative burst, what makes one person more successful with the follow-through? Studies show that it’s more about levels of grit; the successful person sticks with their plan no matter the amount of frustration, no matter who tells them it can’t be done. They’re the ones who just keep showing up again and again, never to be discouraged. Grit, persistence and stubbornness! It’s their ability to hold on to the passion of their dream.

I’m anxious to read the book, which I started as soon as I got home. Mr. Lehrer and I spoke briefly as he was signing my copy. I told him these studies remind me a lot of what my mother always taught me: “Stop focusing on the problem, but keep your mind open and the ideas will come in. ” Yes”, he agreed, “sleep on it! Our moms know a lot of things” he said. I agree. Thanks mom! Check out his book. And then make some time to waste time. It’s good for you!

Collections

I love to collect things.  Must be something about the hunt for treasure or the need to surround myself with things that make me happy.  From rocks and shells to family treasures and keepsakes, I love them all.

I think I’m careful to not overdo it, or at least I never put everything out at once. Rather, I keep each collection in a tidy box and bring them out seasonally. In this way I enjoy each piece as I unwrap it and place it on the mantle or hutch. I never get tired of them, because if I did I’d know it would be time to move them along to someone else. I’m afraid that if I displayed all of them at once I’d tuck them high on a shelf and they’d become annoyingly dusty. Pretty soon they’d no longer be special, I’d just look past them.  No fun at all. Instead I love toting them out for special occasions.

These green and yellow Jadite pots are perfect for decorating in the spring. Years ago, when Martha suggested they were the thing to have I jumped right in, scouring antique and thrift stores, occasionally find one at an estate sale. They are the perfect combination of my love of gardening, the color green and springtime. Once I found ebay, collecting them became much more simple. My collection is complete with a nice selection of sizes.

Here’s a small collection of frogs.  They’re used in the bottom of a vase to hold cut flowers.  Even though they would normally be hidden in the bottom of a vase, I love their different artistic shapes, sizes and glazes.               

   

                           Here’s a last minute peek at my eggs cups as I put them away until next year. They’re such fun.

 

 

 

Treasures passed down through family can be the best of all. I love this collection of old silver. When friends of ours married several years ago they opted to combine their family silverware and use it everyday. It takes more time to wash each piece by hand but what a lovely way to pay respect to the heirlooms from generations past.

 

 

 

 

 

Collections should be fun and not necessarily expensive.  A friend purchases her canned tomatoes with a future destiny. Once empty they hold paintbrushes, pencils and necessities for the resident artist. Their colorful labels blend nicely with books on Italy and France and add a fun, playfulness to the studio.

 

 

 

 

A small collections of old bottles sit, ready to hold the first buds of spring

 

 

 

 

If you’re looking to start a collection think about what you love and where you have space to add a small grouping. People collect all kinds of things from pin cushions to pocket watches. Just make sure you’re only keeping the absolute best of the best.

          Here are more of my suggestions for starting a collection:

• Not all collections need to be costly, but they should be fun and meaningful to the collector. Make sure it’s something you love.
• I think of 3 of anything as a collection, so I’m always eager to find my first 3.
• DON’T be tempted to buy the first one you see or buy just because it’s your ‘something’.  Make sure it’s up to the standard of something you want to have for a long time.
• Limit yourself. It’s easy to get carried away but I have culled my collections to fit in particular boxes. When the box begins to overflow, it’s time to look for a way to part with some of it. I get it down to my absolute favorites.
• When it is time to let go of something, it helps to remember that this will be someone else’s new found treasure.
• For display, you don’t have to have them all together, but in small groupings.
• If you’re storing a collection too long, you must not enjoy it anymore so move it along to someone else.
• Ebay is a fast way to collect but you rarely get a true bargain.
• Know when to stop. A small collection of very special treasures is much better than a huge group of things that get lost amongst themselves.
• If you have boxes of family mementos, pull them out and see if there are any treasures in there. Often you’ll find a few of something that would look fun in a bowl or grouped together on a table or shelf.

   

I’ll continue to write about collections. Tell me about your favorite treasures.

A Bit of Remodeling

Yes, you’re in the right place. Over the weekend we sat down and made a few changes. Just like in my own home, I’m nervous as to how it will look, how it will hold up and if the new look will go with all my previous belongings.

It was fun choosing the pictures for the top. Going back through my photographs, picking out the favorites.  I wanted a picture of a bird and sat patiently outside waiting for one to land on just the right branch for that photo op.  Obviously that didn’t happen, but I loved having the excuse to sit outside in what turned out to be a lovely, sunny weekend.

Scrolling through the previous posts, I see that no, the new look does nothing for the past.  Kind of like getting the perfect dress and finding it makes the shoes look old.  Or finally finding the perfect chair that will work with your sofa, only to realize that the new chair makes the sofa look worn.  Oh well, C’est la Vie, I will move forward. I enjoy using the room better instead of having everything looking so cramped.

As I learn more about blog design, Photoshop and twisting my sons arm for assistance the look may change again. That’s part of the fun. Stay tuned!

Happy Easter

Easter is a time to rejoice, be thankful, be assured that all is forgiven so life extends beyond the soil of earth.      

                                                                 -Byron Pulsifer

 

 

Potting Up Some Spring

The sun came out for a few minutes today so I ran to my favorite nursery to get plants for my big front porch pots. The picture above is my finished planting but it won’t look full and lush for a few weeks.

I love pushing my cart through the nursery, setting out possibilities to see how they look with one another. I like to mix annuals, perennials, bulbs and even shrubs for year round interest and color. This pot needed a complete redo but a couple of the others just needed a few new spots of color tucked in.

This pot had a small evergreen shrub that was a bit overwhelming. I trimmed it back and added another small bright green shrub. I tucked in the bright green (key lime) Heucherra (on the left) and purple aubrieta, then checked the yard for another clump of grape hyacinths and another of Euphorbia Robbiae. The daffodils and grape hyacinths will be done soon but the others will fill in over top until they show up again next spring.

Here’s the Euphorbia collected from the back yard. This one, if allowed can spread throughout a garden, so it’s a good choice for a container. It’s a nice showy tall plant with bright yellow flowers. Just pluck out the ones you don’t want and it will be happy in the pot.

        

The nursery is full of inspiration. Their pots are planted beautifully and the tags from each pot are tucked in, just in case you want to recreate the look. The pot on the left is a kitchen pot, full of lettuce, chard and herbs. Fun! (What a great housewarming gift!)

When planning your plantings for pots, here are my suggestions:

• Think of it kind of like creating a bouquet. Plan a color scheme. Sometimes the color of your pot or your house will help provide a starting point.
• If you like year round plantings in some of your pots remember to tuck in something for each season.
• A small shrub like a dwarf conifer is a nice anchor for the back.
• Tall grasses or ferns add nice height, texture and drama.
• Perennials will only bloom for a few weeks each, so don’t plan your color scheme around something that won’t be in color throughout the season. Add a succession of small perennials.
• Add annuals for color all summer.
• Don’t forget to add white plants. While they may seem boring by themselves, nothing shows off color like fresh, pure white.
• Add aubrieta, alyssum or other trailing plants to spill over the sides. You can find them in a variety of colors.
• Eventually plants and shrubs may get too big for the pots. Simply replant them in your yard.
• Add a handful of granular, time-release fertilizer at planting.
• Keep your pots well watered in the summer. We set up a watering drip line to each pot and hooked it up to the faucet with a timer. We set it to come on twice a day in July and August and everything stayed lush.
• Have fun with it!

Questions and Answers

 

A couple of weeks ago I shared a bit of myself and answered questions put to me from a fellow blogger, Sunday Taylor at Ciao Domenica. Today I attempt to answer the remaining questions, realizing that I’ve been stalling; waiting for better pictures, more succinct words or who knows what?? Anyway, here we go.

WHAT ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE DO YOU GO TO WHEN YOU WANT TO RELAX? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE NOOK FOR READING OR DAYDREAMING?

I like to end everyday with a book. I prop my pillows up against the headboard, swing the lamp around and read for 45 minutes or so. It’s best when the book isn’t too violent or I have to keep reading past that part so I won’t have scary dreams. (Note: the dog doesn’t always get up on the bed but he was more than happy to pose for the picture.)

When we remodeled our downstairs years ago, we decided to make a reading nook. We loved the idea that it would be a comfy, well-lit spot to curl up in and read. Well, although we’re all readers, I’m not sure any of us has ever actually crawled in there to read. Too close to the television set I’m afraid. Instead, I think our house is full of comfortable places where at any time you’ll find someone curled up with a new favorite book.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PART OF THE WORLD. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR HOME TOWN?

The northwest is known for its rainy climate and being green on every level. When the sky is blue, everyone is excited and has to talk about it; it’s truly like a light comes on and cheers everyone. A beautiful day brings everyone outside. When the Farmers Markets open in the Spring there’s always a great crowd of enthusiastic, smiling people.

Portlanders are proud and if you’re a native Oregonian, you brag about it. The best part of Oregon is that in less than 2 hours you can go west to play in the ocean or go east to Central Oregon to find deserts and high mountain lakes. Eastern Oregon has ranches, cowboys and mountain ranges. Southern Oregon has Crater Lake National Park and the beautiful Rogue river, famous for rafting.

I love the northwest, despite the rain. Summers are generally quite dry and everyone appreciates it. We never take our sunshine for granted. If you’re going to vacation in Oregon come in July and August. There are loads of places to go camping, fishing, boating and generally rest and relax. Doesn’t get much better than that!

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED FORM OF EXERCISE -- WALKING, YOGA, THE GYM, OR OTHER?

Walking. I do go to the gym regularly and have taken and enjoyed Yoga classes, but what I really enjoy is a good walk. What a wonderful way to see everything. Have you ever walked past an area where you had previously only driven? It’s like a different world. In the spring and summer I love to literally stop and smell the roses.

HAVE YOU EVER WRITTEN OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO WRITE A SHORT STORY, MEMOIR OR A NOVEL?

I love writing, but a novel is quite daunting. I love children’s books but most often the illustrations are what pull me in. A memoir wouldn’t be very interesting…yet…more life to live. A short story, yes, perhaps.

ARE YOU A GARDENER, OR ARE YOU A GARDEN ADMIRER? YOU CAN BE BOTH!

I am both, but I think less of a garden admirer than a nursery admirer. I especially love preparing my garden in the spring, so a trip to the nursery is like nourishment to my enthusiasm and inspiration. My favorite nursery always has large pots planted with the most astounding combinations of plants. They always include the names so you can do-it-yourself (definitely my kind of place!). I love the inspiration I get from them.

Visiting a beautiful show garden is fun and I always appreciate the beauty but I’m the type of person who is always thinking “maybe I could do that, make that, etc.” When visiting a big beautiful garden it’s difficult to bring very many ideas home. I have to remind myself to relax and enjoy the beauty, for beauty's sake.

WHEN YOU TRAVEL, DO YOU LIKE TO GO TO A CITY OR THE COUNTRYSIDE?

Either. I love the differences in each and I always enjoy going somewhere that’s different from where I live. I love camping and hiking but I love going to a big cities like Paris or New York. Both are full of places to explore. No matter how exciting, relaxing, entertaining or busy my vacation has been I always look forward to coming home…and I think that’s a good thing.

WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM CELEBRATION BE FOR A BIG BIRTHDAY?

I’ve got a very big birthday coming up next year and I already have something of a plan. No party for me, I prefer to try and run away. A trip to Italy – walk all day, eat and drink all evening without any guilt whatsoever! I can handle anything with that plan.

Well, that’s it! I’ve now answered all the questions put before me. Thanks again to Sunday for asking, it’s been a fun exercise. Be sure to visit Sunday’s blog. It’s quite beautiful!

Planning for Easter Brunch

I just realized that Easter is next Sunday. Yikes!! Time to do a bit of menu planning for brunch. Flowers are the first step and the spring colors in this mixture of daffodils and green tulips are an obvious choice. The sweet vase is a vintage milk bottle I found in my favorite antique shop on my recent Montana visit.

Always a top menu choice are my favorite oat scones. The original recipe is from Deborah Madison’s cookbook Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. I’ve made a few changes over the years and have listed my recipe below.

Pears are always a wonderful choice for brunch. They add a sweetness to a spinach salad or are perfect in a pear torte.

Brunch is a fun way to entertain. Mid morning meals lend themselves to an easy-going atmosphere. The food can be simple and fresh and everyone always seems more at ease in the morning. With a few simple plans you can make sure you, as the hostess are having fun too.  Enjoy yourself!

Here’s the scone recipe. It’s also a great choice if you’ve been invited to someone else’s home for brunch. They travel quite well and you can bring along a delicious jam or spread.

Oat Scones

1 cup rolled oats, plus extra for the counter
1 ½ cup all-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
7 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk or cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 425 F. If you have a baking stone, heat it for an extra 10 minutes.
Mix the dry ingredients together, then cut in the butter with your fingers or two knives until coarse crumbs are formed. Beat the egg with the milk and vanilla and stir it into the dough. Mix just enough to moisten the dry ingredients evenly. Scatter some oats on the counter and turn the dough out on top of them. Pat into a circle about ½” thick, then cut into eight wedges and place each piece on the hot baking stone, if using, or on a sheet pan. Bake until nicely browned, 15-18 minutes. Serve warm. Enjoy!

The Garden on April 1st

 

 

Today began with a bit of sunshine but by noon it was wet, blustery and ever so grey.  March was quite wet, smashing rainfall records. April 2011 was the third wettest on record so I’m dearly hoping it won’t be repeated. On the few nice days we had, last weekend being one of them, I was able to plant broccoli, swiss chard and arugula.

As I look back at my post on April 1, 2011 I see a great similarity to my garden this year. Peas are showing, the tiniest suggestion of asparagus spears are poking through the ground, and a general wetness is creeping through spring. The onion and garlic, planted last fall are doing nicely. It’s reassuring to read my journaling and realize that things will grow despite our crummy weather.

 

The rhubarb must be quite tolerant of our northwest weather, as its leaves are unfurling to a healthy green. It looks positively superb!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it’s an important time to decide what to grow. Although I thoroughly enjoyed planting, growing and harvesting potatoes I’m choosing not to grow them this year. We don’t eat potatoes too often and they take up quite a bit of growing space. On the other hand, we eat a lot of greens, so growing lettuce, arugula and broccoli will be important to our meals.

 

If you garden and you don’t journal, I strongly recommend you give it a try. All the things I think I will remember and then forget are noted. Previously I kept journals in notebooks. This works great, although I rarely attached photos. Lots of notes on who said what, things that were suggested and worked or didn’t are there to help me proceed though the following years. As much as I enjoy looking through my old handwritten journals, I find my notes on the computer are much more efficient and way more full of pertinent information. Try it!

Projects and planning for the month of April:

• Weed (as always!)
• Plan cutting garden in other raised beds (that’s another post)
• Begin planting lettuce seeds, every two weeks for constant salads
• Research tomato varieties for a possible cool summer
• Visit nursery to plant large pots on front porch (yet another post)
• Get serious about painting the shed
• Hang garden window from gate arbor

 

For reference sake, if you would like to check out the garden from last year, follow the link here.

Sunday Quote

 

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.

                                             ~John Buchan