Sweet Scent of Spring

The wild plums are beginning to blossom.

They certainly are a heavenly sight after winter greys.

The feathery petals are soft and pure.

At times, I think flower petals and butterfly wings

must be spun from the same fiber.

We have had an extremely mild and dry winter

which is worrisome in the way of water for summer.

There is little snow-pack in the mountains,

and we have had only a few rains.

The good news is that I began working the garden.

While last year at this time,

the ground was frozen solid.

I just got my potatoes in the ground and

am hoping to get radishes, carrots and beets in soon.

Our last freeze date is about the middle of June,

but I am following a little different advice this year.

You can read some of that in this garden post.

Our daffys aren't quite blooming yet,

but it will only be a matter of days.

I have some pretty ambitious yard and garden plans this year.

We'll see how much of it materializes.

I will keep you posted and hopefully have a mini tour coming soon.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

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Candied Violets

Just a day or two ago,

after returning home in the dark,

I walked up to get the mail and instantly knew

the violets are blooming.

They smell heavenly.

Sure enough, the next morning I looked out at a good patch of them.

It's amazing to me how every year they seem

to surprise me by showing up virtually overnight.

They are always the first flowers to brave

the possible cold of spring.

Always a welcome site, I have used them in making 

a variety of  delicacies

including jelly, adding them to salad,

or candied violets.

That being said, I thought I would share the recipe.

Candied Violets

2 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar (I use fine but not super-fine)

6 dozen violets with stem but no leaves - washed

In a bowl, beat egg whites until frothy.

Place sugar in a shallow bowl.  Holding flower by stem, dip one at a time

into egg whites then in sugar covering all surfaces.

Place in a single layer on a waxed paper lined baking sheet.

Snip stems.  Using a toothpick, separate petals to return to their

original shape.  Sprinkle sugar on any uncoated areas.

Dry in a 200 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until sugar crystallizes.

Carefully remove violets to wire racks with a small spatula.

Sprinkle again with sugar if violets appear syrupy.

Cool, then store in an airtight container separated by waxed paper.

(or just eat them at this point:)

Keeps up to 1 week. (in fridge)

They are beautiful on cakes, cupcakes, or as a garnish to chocolate deserts.

This is not an original recipe of mine.  It's been a part of my recipe box for about 100 years (I bust be about 112 years old by now:) 

 Credit goes to the mother of Bernie Bellin of Wisconsin.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Our Weekend Company

We took a long and much needed break this last weekend.

Packed up the camper and headed toward Imnaha.

It was absolutely beautiful.

No electric, reception, phones, clocks, gizmos, you name it.

Our nearest neighbors for the weekend...

She was part of a larger crowd.

But their children were well behaved - especially at nap time.

The architecture was amazing!

The local watering hole was pretty lively

and featured music by "Tweety & the Steelhead Fish."

The weather was warm and beautiful.

(Sorry, I know 1/2 the nation is buried in snow, but we actually

need rain/snow over here.  We're in a drought.)

It was so nice, we could have stayed another day or two.

But alas, we must all wake from our dreams:)

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Uses for Pine Needles

As I was lighting the fire this evening,

I threw in a bunch of dried pine needles.

For just a moment,

you could have seen the hint of a smile as

I thought ~

pine needles are so useful

and for so many things.

They are a fabulous source of vitamin C.
Every so often I break one up for in my tea
or if I am out puttering around,
I will just nibble on one.
Of course, winter decor is fond of pines
and other greens.
That's just while green.
They are equally useful when dry.

There tend to be an abundance of them available
wherever there is even a single pine tree.
On occasion, a small branch will break and fall.
Around here, those get tossed in with the firewood
When winter comes,
they make starting a fire a cinch.
They are great to use in the chickens' nest boxes
with a couple handfuls of wood shavings.
The chickens don't seem to scatter them 
like they do straw.
Pine needles also make great path covers.
Where a path is worn and becomes muddy,
a thick layer of these really seems to help.
And, they aren't slick like wet straw.
If added to compost,
they are acidic so ask a professional first
and/or know the ph of your soil.
There are certain plants that do thrive on acidic soil.

One other side note:
If you do have pine trees or if you visit a friend with one,
don't park under them.
In addition to pinecones falling, they "rain."
Mostly in the summer months or warmer weather.
They emit a very fine mist
that is actually sap (resin.)
It can be difficult to wash off your car if you don't do it right away.

Do you have pine trees/needles around your place?
If so, do you use them & for what?

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches