turkey feathers

Seeing RED

 

Sometimes the best days are the days when nothing much happens, allowing us time to just notice, what is. There's been a nip in the air this past week, but nothing too dramatic, so I was caught by surprise when I saw this little hint of fall foliage today.  And just the one red leaf. Hanging there, quivering in the wind and waving as I passed by. Catching my eye. A small harbinger of autumn, which apparently may be arriving sooner than we think.  It's hard to know.  The weather just keeps us guessing.  It was mostly misty and mild with a warm day thrown in once in awhile to remind us it was summer.  Which is good for the gardener, but not the garden.  I can only hope my tomatoes follow suit and turn this same bright shade of RED.  And quick. 

I won't hold my breath though.  I know better!  Alas, there's no ripe-red harvest to crow about here, but I can live vicariously through the gardening success of Monty Don if I have to. And you can too!  He shows us how it's done step by step.  This particular show is focused on tomatoes and onions from garden to table.  Since the weather zones in the UK are similar here in the northwest, I was particularly interested in just how he managed to produce all these gorgeous tomatoes in such a short growing season. If you are also wondering, and have twenty-five minutes to spare, check it out, you just might learn a few things.  I know I did!  

And if you liked that romp through the garden, you might also enjoy this episode about herbs.  After I watched this I wanted to completely redo all my herb beds and plant little hedges around them.  It seems I am growing quite fond of hedges.  Quite fond. This video also shows you how to make fresh pesto with basil.  Monty makes it with his children, outside in the garden.  Lovely to watch.

Here's the recipe I always use:

BASIL PESTO

Makes about 1-1/2 cups; enough to freeze or refridgerate until ready to use.   Do all the prep work before you place the following ingredients into a food processor:

1 whole garlic;  crush cloves, peel and coarsely chop 

1 cup of pine nuts; lightly pan roasted with 1 T. olive oil and the garlic.  Set aside to cool.

2 big bunches fresh basil; rinse, pat dry, remove stems and flowers.  You should have about 8 cups of fresh leaves.

3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

*Add 1 cup grated parmesan; if you plan to use pesto fresh.  Leave out the cheese if you freeze it and add it to the thawed pesto later.

To prepare:  Put the basil leaves into the food processor bowl and coarse chop.  Add the pine nuts and garlic.  With the processor running, drizzle the olive oil slowly into the feed shoot until you have the consistency desired.  That's it!

To store:  Keep in fridge and use within a week.  For longer storage, I like to make little individual packets.  Spoon  the mixture into ziploc snack bags (about 2 T. in each one).  Then gently squeeze out the air, close the seal and smooth the pesto out evenly and flat so it fills all the corners.  Place the bags on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm. Then store them all in a plastic freezer containor or a large freezer bag.   It will keep for a year or longer.

To use:  Remove pesto from the bag while it is still frozen so it all comes out in one nice clean piece.  No mess, no waste.  You can  also just break off a piece if you only need a small amount for flavoring vegetables; say mashed potatoes, for instance.  (You will not believe how good that is! )

*Combine the thawed pesto with pasta and any hard fresh grated cheeses, like asiago, parmesan, and romano.

Try this too:  Add a teaspoon of pesto to a basic oil and vinegar salad dressing to give it extra zing.  Mixed with cream cheese or goat cheese it makes a wonderful spread on crackers and bread; easy to throw together when company calls. 

August is a big month for birthdays around here; daughters, granddaughters, friends and family, and we have one more.  Not to be forgotten...Happy Birthday dear brother!  (Click on the cupcake for the original post and the source of the pattern.)

 

It's Tasha Tudor Time

Today is Tasha Tudor's Birthday!  One hardly knows where to begin in terms of describing such a multi-faceted woman of so many trades and talents, and what to focus on here today.  But she is probably most well-known for her children's books and illustrations, although it was her unique lifestyle and the "old ways" of doing things that became a fascination (as well as an inspiration), to many of her fans.  Myself included! 

Tasha found inspiration within her own family and surroundings; first in a New Hampshire farmhouse where her children were raised, and later, nestled in the woods of Vermont in a house built by her son, Seth.  The children depicted in her stories were often drawings and watercolor paintings of her own; and included domestic scenes, events, traditions, gardens, animals and pets from her real world and everyday life.  From my bookshelf, I've pulled down a sample of some of the T.T. books I've collected over the years.  Some are children's stories, others are thematic, such as All For Love, published in 1984, a collection of poems, songs, letters, stories, folklore and customs revolving around the subject of LOVE.  For the romantic at heart.

It's a beautiful book, typifying Tasha's artistic style with floral wreaths and borders, rose festooned ribbons, tussie mussies, all set in a time period of the early and mid 1800's, (think Jane Austen), an era of which she seemed to be quite fond of. 

So much so, that it lead to an impressive collection of antique clothing and other fashionable articles of that time period; bonnets, lace collars, fans, and such.

These gorgeous gowns from Tasha's collection were a few that featured in the 2007 Nov/Dec issue of Victoria magazine.  They were sold at public auction in New Hope, PA by Witaker-August Auction Company that November.  Tasha was quoted in the article, "My antique clothing is a great folly of mine...I myself feel much more at home in an old frock."  Indeed!  It seems these were things that inspired the direction of her art and dreams.

Lots of books have been written about T.T.'s various hobbies, including a cookbook that she wrote, (which I love and still use often); plus others about heirloom crafts, gardening, and an excellent biography, Drawn From New England, written by her daughter Bethany, in 1979.  This book (shown in the second photo from the top, bottom left), is about Tasha's childhood and as a mother, and the utterly delightful activities they did as a family.  Like floating a candle lit birthday cake downstream to the child being honored.  Of sketch parties and picnics.  The Dolls and their elaborate tea parties donned in lovely handsewn gowns, and the doll's annual summer "country fairs" which they all spent weeks getting ready.  Tasha would make little cardboard booths, which were painted and decorated to display the "wares and exhibits"; tiny doll-sized items, like edible cakes and lemon pies, flowers and vegetables, with prizes awarded for the most outstanding.  Friends came and brought their dolls to participate. And buttons were used as currency.

The doll's post office was run by Augustus Sparrow--Postmaster General.  Each of the children had a carboard mailbox on their dollhouse, and for many years kept up a correspondece between their dolls and the doll's of their friends.  Tiny letters were written, then delivered by Sparrow Post. 

Mouse Mills Catalogue followed.  This was a mail-order catalog so the dolls, ducklings, and bears could purchase ready-made clothing.  The miniature goods could be purchased with buttons in lieu of cash.  Soon after that, a catalog of valentines was created.  These had the most astonishingly tiny paintings and verses.  Each one less than an inch high!  All the dolls and animals ordered them and then sent them to their friends by way of Sparrow Post.  On Valentine's Day, there would be an afternoon tea party to which the dolls and stuffed animals were also invited to partake in the festivities.  The parlor would be decorated with flowers from the greenhouse;  jasmine, scented geraniums, and sweet alyssum.  Tulips and daffodils would be purchased from a local grower and they would be set all about the room to create a spring-like atmosphere. Tasha would bake a heart-shaped cake with frosting flavored with marachino cherries which turned it pink.  Then a pleasant afternoon by fireside would be spent opening valentines and enjoying the refreshments and flowers.  

The doll family also subscribed to a wonderful magazine called 'The Bouquet' which included some of the latest fashions (for the dolls, of course).  There was a social column, short stories and pictures, word games and more.  It was a quarterly, that Tasha put out four times a year.  She also made marionettes and built a theater in the barn for them to perform plays.  These marionette shows began as entertainment for the dolls, but children from a nearby school and friends were also invited to attend.  Tasha and her children staged fairy tales, such as "Little Red Riding Hood", and "Jack & the Beanstalk", "Saint George & the Dragon", and even "Swan Lake". 

And then...there's the DOLLHOUSE with residents Captain Thaddeus Crane and his darling wife Emma who enjoy all manner of comforts and conveniences in their well-appointment home.  Complete with wind-up miniature birdcages in every room, including the kitchen, as "birdsong is a necessity", Tasha says.

Oh, Tasha, you have surely stirred our imaginations and given much. 

~August 28, 1915 -- June 18, 2008~

 

Smooth Sailing

Just two weeks ago we were heading down river on the Portland Spirit. Here she is waiting at the dock.  It was a three-hour chartered cruise with the Mister's co-workers, and included a buffet style luncheon and amazing little chocolates and other treats brought around on trays later, for dessert.  The weather was perfect and the views were spectacular.  Just the respite we all needed.  

It's another quiet day here, except for an occasional gust of cool wind brushing up against the side of the house and rustling the trees.  Autumn is in the air.

 

Glory Bee

The tiny green swallows inhabiting our birdhouses have flown off to destinations unknown.  They've been gone for a few weeks now.  I do miss waking up to their early morning song.  The garden is at it's peak now.  And wonder of wonders, the tomatoes are actually turning red.  In August!  It's a miracle, I tell ya.  Yesterday, Ginger and I pulled down all the dead pea vines for the next rotation of seedlings to climb.  We're hoping they make it as a fall crop.  We still have peas-a-plenty that were frozen. The wild lettuce garden has bolted despite the shade cover, but we've enjoyed picking our lunch salads all summer. We pulled up beats and roasted a few for cold salads later in the week.  Picked a basketful of green beans, which landed on the dinner table last night.  They were fantastic just steamed and tossed with olive oil infused with fresh rosemary and garlic. 

Way over here, on this side of the yard, the old weather-worn pickets and gate have been replaced.  Looking very tidy now thanks to the Mister's masterful craftsmanship.  We do so appreciate his woodworking skills!  But the silver artemisia is a frolicking froth of foam just spilling out over its boundaries.  It's been trimmed back twice already.  Time to send it packing to another location, me thinks.

Late summer is when the 'Harlequin Glory Bower' blooms, and I am happy to say, it's right on schedule. So pretty.  It's what I gaze upon from the kitchen sink morning, noon, and night.  Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies love it and I love watching them come and go.   

The flowers have a scent, sweet like orange blossoms, but the leaves smell exactly like peanut butter!  My little granddaughters think this is hysterical.  The deer avoid it entirely, which is a blessing, as so few plants escape their nibbling.  This tree is going on its 6th year now and according to the handy tree guide has reached its full height.  But we shall see.  Things tend to grow to unexpected proportions around here.  You never know.  Planting a tree is always a crap-shoot.  Anything can happen.  We've had to cut so many of them down, for different reasons, so just keeping my fingers crossed that this one doesn't do anything unexpected or crazy.  (I planted this grouping in 2006 cages and all, and by 2009 it looked like this.)  You can see it's all coming along nicely. 

I actually like this Glory Bower SO much, that I cultivated one of its shoots (it does send up shoots from time to time), and planted it out front near the driveway.  It didn't do much the first year. This one is about 4 years old now though and is really starting to take off.  I need to trim it up to expose some branches.  A job best done after the flowers (and bees) are gone.

Here it is again from the back side.  More like a bush at the moment.  Oh, and here's the brand new view of the woodlands across the street after the clean-up.  I absolutely love it! 

        

Peek into the Past

Watching all those Victorian Kitchen Garden shows made me remember a day trip we took in 2010 to tour the Pittock Mansion.  This grand estate of 22 rooms on 46 acres was built in the west hills overlooking Portland in 1909.  It was the private home of  Henry & Georgiana Pittock, who both died within ten years after moving in.  Then the property went to successive family members and eventually fell into ruin after storm damage in 1962.  The remaining descendant, a grandson, was hard-pressed to keep it up and sold it to the city of Portland, supported by funds raised by the community, to repair and restore it.  It's been open to the public since 1965 and has been an historic landmark ever since.  It has also made an appearance in several films. 

The mansion has grand, elegant, sweeping rooms at every turn.  More photos can be seen on the website (see link above).  But really,  I found the kitchen spaces most charming, and the views breathtaking.  This main kitchen was the cook's domain.  I imagine it was a favorite place for biscuit and pastry making with Mount Hood rising up in the distance.  Today, the cityscape adds a modern view. 

Anyone know what the little gadget on the left is for?  A nutmeg grinder, perhaps?

A fine, serviceable sink!

I love this supply and food pantry. Every house should have one!

A second house on the property, the Gate Lodge, was provided as a servant's quarters and was outfitted with a darling little stove, with lots of compartments for baking, warming, roasting and such. 

The Gate Lodge kitchen work table also had one of the best window view's in the house; which must have helped keep the cook content despite all the long hours preparing meals from scratch. 

This sweet little butler's pantry is tucked into the back of the Gate Lodge kitchen. That sink probably had a cute skirt at one time.

The breakfast table in the mansion; a beautiful way to start the day.

August in Bloom

By this time of year, at the height of summer, the herb beds have gone absolutely wild.  It's still too hot to do much about this riotous bunch.  I shall just have to leave them to their folly.  The colors are wonderful though, and what a joy to behold at any rate. 

Another pretty color spot: sunchokes and yarrow.  This is how it all looked last week before the work began and it all got cleared away. A glimpse of the old weather-worn deck in the background; all gone now.   As I step outside the backdoor, the smell of fresh-cut cedar fills the air.  Everything looks so different.  I hardly recognize the place.  All three big trees are gone, oh we do miss the shelter and shade they provided.  Especially this week.  But we have plans to compensate for that with a shade trellis of some sort.  We're still mulling it over.  That's half the fun, you know.  Entertaining all the possibilities.

Bygone Days

 

The deck reconstruction continues. Only one broken window so far. (sigh) Nothing is ever easy. The crew arrived bright and early this morning to get a jump on the heat. It's been slowly heating up here, finally a little summer weather. All or nothing so it seems. Weather forecasters say it may reach up to 106 degrees tomorrow. Might even have to get out some bed-sheets again like last time.  Lord, let's hope not.

Unrelated:  I've been watching this awesome Victorian garden and kitchen series that ran on the BBC during the 1980's.  The episodes were released in the UK on DVD in 2006.  Had never seen it before, I'm not even sure it ran in the U.S.  Every detail is utterly fascinating.  I've honestly been staying up late every night for a week now watching these.  I can't stop!  The "old ways" of doing things are so interesting.  Life moves at a much slower pace.  Makes me truly appreciate all our modern conveniences even though cooking on a wood stove seems appealing. In this setting anyway. And on cooler days.   

The authentic Victorian "wall-garden" is another focus and is transformed during the course of the series.  They discovered those high brick walls originally created for aesthetics, created a micro-climate which extended the growing seasons.  Good to know!

Going Underground

 

 

Another clever idea from the Oregon Gardens.   

It's HOT today. Everyone's gone up to the pool.  I'm hiding out in the house with the shades drawn where it's nice and cool.  We spent the day in Portland yesterday, cruising up and down the Willamette River, so I'm trying to stay out of the sun today.  I took a bunch of pictures, will try and post a few when I can.  Things are happening around here.  The twenty-year-old deck out back is getting a make-over.  The work began on Thursday.  They still have a long way to go.  I am relishing the peace and quiet of this Sunday afternoon very much right now!

 

Wrinkles & Roses

Our One-Day "heat wave" came and went in record time.  Here and gone in 24 hours.  It officially got up to 106 degrees although our thermometer read 111 in the sun and was enough to make us glad the clouds were back the next morning.  Such a relief.  Summer, so far, has been mostly cool and cloudy, much like the last one.  Cooler is always my preference anyway.  I wilt easily, especially when outside working in the garden.  A light mist can be heavenly at just the right moment.  Or you can carry around a big pail of creek water (like above) to pour over your head in a pinch.  Just kidding.  But not really....

I wonder what inspires this sort of look.  I love it!  The mis-matched layers and pantaloons, all of it, by Swedish designer Ewa i Walla.  You can see more of this adorable collection on the website; click on the image to go there. Or visit this blog to see more of the awesome detail in each garment. The 2012 summer collection looks like everything just tumbled out of the dryer or came off the clothesline--so fresh!  This particular dress (above) was from a few years back.  From summer 2009 I think.  It's been sitting in a desktop file ever since and I've just been dreaming about it.  I want to be the carefree girl with the bucket. Perhaps she is going to fill it with wild strawberries picked from the edge of the woods.  Or fetching water for her horse from the creek.

This scene is from the corner of my kitchen.  I've been dead-heading rose bushes.  Faded flowers look so pretty all spread out on the drying screen.  Bringing this dress to mind; another picture I saved from season's past.

The wrinkled layers of delicate cotton organdy ruffs, do resemble dried rose petals.  A sweet delicate faded flower.  And each dress comes with it's own metal bucket as an accessory.  No, just kidding!  But hey, it could work.

 

Reflections & Water Gardens

Under the August heat, my mind harkens back to this cool scene at the Oregon Gardens.  A colorful display of water lilies were in early bloom that day, opening to pale blue skies with whip-cream clouds floating overhead.

 Bullfrogs hung suspended just beneath the surface while a soothing trickle of water poured down over the rock wall from above.  After sitting by a pond (any pond will do), I am marvelously restored. 

This man-made relection pond is one of two identical ones, that sit on opposite sides of a promenade.  In the evenings, the light strings wrapped around the tree trunks make the water sparkle and dance and come to life.  On such a night, we can linger longer than usual to take it all in.

An underground spring bubbles up along a hidden path, then cascades down rocks nourishing a spillway at the bottom of the hill. 

One can find peace in a splashing brook.  Sometimes we need to dip a toe in shallow sparkling water.  Just because.  Now and then the well of our spirit requires a refill so that we can draw from it again.  One of the joys of summer.