What IS that?

by Carollynn on 5 July 2011

Last week, after an appointment I saw this fella lounging in the empty parking spot next to my car.

What is this orange winged thing?

He’s gorgeous, that amazing bright orange color outlining the medium gray background and white spots. Pretty sure he’s not a butterfly, so maybe some kind of moth? What an amazing looking creature, and oh so festively and summery colored.

Anyone out there in the blogisphere know what he/she/it might be?

Summertime lazy

by Carollynn on 27 June 2011

in this and that

Last week Tuesday, it was officially summer, (the summer solstice) but it seems I’m already in the midst of my summer time malaise, I mean, I already got a cheap Air Conditioning (AC) for the house, you can learn more here..Nothing very dramatic or interesting going on these days, enjoying the more moderate temperatures we’re experiencing in the DC area this week (70’s and 80’s) compared to a few week’s ago when it was in the 90’s and 100’s.

I’ve been thinking maybe its time to put my winter sweaters away, and then I think maybe not, because then it will be hassle to pull them out again in about 4 months or so. I’m also finding it hard to screw up any sort of desire to do regular and necessary chores such as laundry, house work, take out the trash, making dinner.

Thank god we have a lawn service, or the exterior of the house would look as bad as the interior does since we lost our high schooler who took care of the weekly vacuuming/dusting/mopping. The dog fur dust bunnies are multiplying and growing like, well… regular bunnies on our floors, in stairwells and under any and all furniture they can find.

Basically, I’m finding it hard to want to do much of anything that I’m supposed to do, as a fully functioning adult. Do you ever feel that way? If so, what do you do to pull yourself out of this summer time funk, or hot weather malaise?

Flowers in the Front Yard

by Carollynn on 27 June 2011

in In the Garden, Life After Work

As late spring turns to early summer, I often bemoan the few short days and weeks of the fragrant, white flower blooming period that is highlighted by the honeysuckle vines, honeysuckle trees/bushes, confederate jasmine and other unnamed sources that seem to perfume the air here in the mid Atlantic. The white flower season is heady, magical and unbelievably fragrant. In my backyard alone, I had 4 species (only 2 of which I could actually name) that bloomed and competed for my olfactory appreciation. Combine their visual and ‘nose worthy’ pleasures with the first sustained warm weather temperatures, it was a true delight to sit outside each morning for coffee, and each evening for dinner, drinks and relaxation.

Day Lily bed

But we’ve now left the white flower season, for the stronger color season, full of vibrant oranges of my double day lilies, the powder brights of my Nikko Blue hydrangeas and just starting, the fuchsia, white and lavender majesty of my crepe myrtles.

Day Lilies

A single day lily

The Hydrangeas…

Hydrangea Nikko Blue

Lois’ Pasta with Spinach and Feta

by Carollynn on 4 June 2011

in Salads & Sidedishes

Pasta with Spinach & Feta

This recipe is from Tim’s sister, Lois in Palo Alto. She made this for a family dinner and it was amazing.
Image source

1/2 lb. acini di pepe (or orzo) (approx. 1 1/4 cups)
2 T. olive oil
2 T. unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. dried hot red pepper flakes, optional (Lois leaves this out)
3 scallions, chopped
1 10 oz. pkg. chopped frozen spinach
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (approx. 3 oz.)
Makes 6 servings

Thaw spinach and squeeze dry.

Cook pasta until al dente. Drain in coarse sieve and transfer to a bowl.

Keep warm, covered.

Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in 12″ skillet over mod-high heat until hot but not smoking.

Saute garlic, pepper flakes & scallions, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden, approximately 2 min.

Add spinach and cook, stirring until heated through, approximately 4 min.

Toss pasta and spinach mixture and feta until combined.

Season with salt and pepper.

What’s wrong with my Oleander plants?

by Carollynn on 4 June 2011

in In the Garden, Life After Work

What healthy Oleander looks like

I grew up in Florida, and Oleander was one of those iconic plants that were in my neighbors yards, public gardens and even planted in the dividers between east and west sections of Interstate 4 (I-4) in an attempt to beautify the space. Last year I ran across some lovely white oleander topiaries at my local nursery, and just had to have them. A little voice in the back of my head whispered that they would most likely not over winter in D.C. and that I was a premeditated plant killer for my own greedy need to have a piece of home greet me each day as I came home. I got over that bit of guilt quickly, bought 2 topiaries and enjoyed their dark green leaves and beautiful white trumpet like flowers well into October.

https://www.designgumbo.net/img/oleander_leaves.jpg

November and December came and went, and the Oleanders were still alive, no longer flowering, but leaves a nice dark green. January, we’d had a few snows, and an ice storm uprooted one of the plants but I replanted it, and staked it so it would remain up right. February, they were still alive, a few brown leaves, but mostly all still green. March arrived and I added more soil to the planters, and the Oleanders began to sport some yellow leaves. I though it might have been winter drought related, so made sure to check the soil regularly and water when dry. In April more leaves started to turn yellow. I didn’t think much of it because there was enough new growth, and in early May, buds began to appear for the white trumpet flowers. Mid to late May, flowers were popping, simultaneously, the yellow leaves started appearing and dropping. I don’t know which has been more prolific – the flowers or the dropping leaves.

I know, I know, initially, I had no problem with premeditated plant murder, but they’ve been part of my front porch for the last year, and I’ve come to regard them as regular residents. I could replace them with something new, but it seems to be so much more fiscally responsible to try to save them. So here you have my sad Oleanders. What’s wrong with them?

Oleander topiary on my front porch, © designGumbo 2011

Nana’s Banana Nut Bread

by Carollynn on 27 May 2011

in Breakfast

Sliced banana nut bread, courtesy of www.cookingforengineers.com

One of our favorite quick breads recipes that has been in Tim’s family since the 1950’s. No one’s quite sure where it originated, but it is a beloved recipe. Enjoy!

Preheat oven to 325
Grease 2 small loaf pans

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour (sifted)
2 cups mashed bananas (about 3 medium-large)*
2 eggs
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup buttermilk

* If banana are really ripe, use less sugar.

Mix together and put into the 2 greased baking pans. Then wrap the outside of each baking pan in tin foil, leaving 1/4 – 1/2 lip of foil over the open top. This will help distribute heat for even baking, and the lip over the top saves the sides from burning. Bake at 325 for about an hour.

Remove from oven
Set on a heat proof surface and cover with a clean dish towel
Let cool for about an hour before removing pan

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