Lilacs

While I have been planning my spring garden, my mind always wanders back to lilacs. I love their delicate little flowers all grouped together, and their scent is unmistakable. I long to have my own large lilac bush one day, just like the one we had while I was growing up. I daydream of having fresh lilacs from it all season long and opening my windows to it's scent wafting in. My first attempt at planting one did not fare so well a few years back, but I am thinking of planting another this year. In my quest to find out just exactly what suits them best I came across this interesting information. If you love lilacs as well you may enjoy it.

The story of lilac, according to Greek mythology, begins with a beautiful nymph named Syringa (lilac’s botanical name). Captivated by her beauty, Pan, the god of the forests and fields, chased Syringa through the forest. Frightened by Pan’s affections, Syringa escaped him by turning herself into an aromatic bush – the flower we now refer to as lilac.

The 8th wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of New Hampshire (symbolizing the hardy character of the Granite State’s citizens), lilacs are frequently considered a harbinger of spring, with the time of their bloom signaling whether spring will be early or late. In the language of flowers, purple lilacs symbolize the first emotions of love, while white lilacs represent youthful innocence.

Spring Radish Tea Sandwiches

I know it may not be spring where you are, but why not create a little of the spring feeling by hosting a tea with these dainty and wonderful little sandwiches? Or perhaps just treat yourself to some fresh flowers and have a couple of these little sandwiches while you relax, have tea and read your favorite magazine. In the spring, when young radishes are available, these are absolutely wonderful so save this recipe for later use if you don't have radishes available at this time.

Ingredients:
Thinly sliced radishes
16 slices best-quality white or wheat bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

Spread one side of each piece of bread lightly with butter.

Top the buttered side of the eight (8) slices of bread with the sliced radishes and top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side down.

Healthy Low Cal Oat Pancakes for 1 (or 2)

While browsing low cal breakfast recipes I came across this one for oat pancakes. I made it this morning and it's perfect if you're cutting calories or just eating healthy. The recipe makes 2 small pancakes so you can eat both, share one, or freeze one for the next morning. I ate both, not realizing how filling they would be. The next time I will freeze the 2nd one for the next morning.



Ingredients:
1/4 cup oats (not instant)
3 egg whites
2 TBS. splenda ( or brown sugar)
1 tsp. cinnamon













Mix ingredients together in a small bowl. This can be done the night before if you're rushed for time.




Spray cooking spray in pan and drop a spoonful of the batter in to pan and cook approximately 2 minutes or until golden. Turn and cook the other side until golden brown as well.

Top with yogurt as I did, or fruit, jams, or syrups.
Enjoy!

Just Say No...

To bleach! I don't like using bleach. It's an irritant, the fumes are unpleasant, and it can pose a health hazard. Undiluted, bleach is corrosive and will damage many surfaces such as skin and fabrics. Did you realize that hundreds of young children suffer accidents with bleach each year? Many people with respiratory complaints find the fumes can be intolerable.

If you're like me and prefer not to have it in your home, try this tip to whiten your laundry. I can attest to the fact that it works!

Use 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to your wash load and your whites will sparkle. I usually use 1/4 cup and always have wonderful results!

Note: To remove blood stains soak area with peroxide and watch them disappear! This does not work as well on set in blood stains that have been through the wash already, but it will lighten them and if you keep at it, they usually disappear.

What To Do...

With leftover Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark squares from the holidays? Make cookies, of course! It takes a little time to unwrap each one of the little square morsels but it's worth it! These cookies taste wonderful and I can only imagine that any of the Ghirardelli square flavors (thinking chocolate caramel!) would taste just as good! I added a cup of miniature chocolate chips so as not to overpower the cookie with peppermint flavor. Bake a double batch! You'll be happy you did.
Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups unsifted all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter (I used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter cubes)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
2 cups chopped Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine butter, both sugars, vanilla and eggs in mixer and mix until fully blended. Add dry ingredients and mix. Gently fold in chocolate chips and peppermint bark.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets and bake 11-13 minutes until light brown.

I doubled the batch and it made approximately 3 dozen cookies.

The Lovely Tulip...

I love the myth and lore of all plants and flowers, and tulips are one of my favorites.

Did you realize tulip petals are actually edible? They are used fresh rather than cooked and can be added to appetizers, salads and desserts. Tulips add color, texture and excitement to meals. Make sure if you use them in this way that you know where they came from and be sure they are pesticide free.

The tulip is one of the world's most easily recognized and loved flowers. Their meaning, coupled with the immediately identifiable shape of their colorful blooms, make them a popular choice for your home and garden.

The tulip originated over ten decades ago in Persia and Turkey and played a significant role in the art and culture of the time. Europeans gave tulips their name, which comes from the Persian word meaning turban. As Europeans began taking to tulips, the flower’s popularity spread quickly, particularly in the Netherlands where a phenomenon dubbed tulip mania set in during the 17th century. In the years 1636-37, tulips were a symbol of wealth and status and were traded like currency. A bed of tulips could buy a small house.

This lovely flower is generally symbolic of fame and perfect love. The symbolic meanings also change with the color of the tulips. Red tulips mean "believe me" and are a declaration of love. Variegated tulips mean "you have beautiful eyes." Yellow tulips mean "there's sunshine in your smile." And cream colored tulips mean "I will love you forever."

The Shamrock...

Today some friends gifted me with a lovely purple shamrock! It's the first one I've seen this year and I love it! Every year, as soon as March starts creeping up on me, I start thinking of St. Patrick's Day and looking for a new shamrock plant to add to my garden. This year they beat me to it! Were you aware that shamrocks not only grow in green but purple as well? One might think they don't grow well here in California, but mine do. Perhaps it's the fairies that tend them, perhaps it's my "luck of the Irish," but they last season after season and I adore them.

Shamrock comes from the Irish word “seamrog”, meaning “summer plant”. Even prior to St. Patrick, the Druids considered the impressive vitality of the shamrock to be a sign of sacredness. In this way, the shamrock came to represent life itself.

Irish legends about the shamrock include a variety of mystic powers. The leaves of the shamrock are said to stand on end to warn of an approaching storm. The shamrock is claimed to be a remedy against the sting of scorpions and the bite of snakes. A common saying associated with the shamrock and the clover family is “to be in clover” or to live a carefree life of ease and prosperity.

Shamrocks are also often associated with leprechauns, a generally harmless type of fairy said to live in seclusion and protect pots of gold. However, if a human should attempt to capture a leprechaun to learn the whereabouts of his gold, the leprechaun may turn mischievous or practice hypnotism or trickery to evade or confuse his pursuer. The shamrock can undo the malevolent magic of a leprechaun. It's best to keep this dainty plant on hand.

Let's all put on our dancing shoes and wear our shamrocks purple and green, and toast our friends both here and there and everywhere between!

Squirrels In Your Feeder?

I happen to love squirrels! Their agility and tenacity never fail to amuse me and they are adorable, but if you have a problem with them in your bird feeder try this tip.

Add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the birdseed before you add it to the feeder. The birds like the hot flavor but the squirrels will shy away from it and the problem will be solved.

Perhaps their own feeder a little further away from the birds will satisfy them and keep their attitude at bay.

Use Your Dryer Lint...

To prevent the dirt from falling through the hole in your flower pots while transplanting this spring! The water will easily drain so no worry about the roots becoming trapped in to much moisture.

If you have leftover lint place it outside for the birds! They will love building their nests with it and just imagine the happy little baby birds all cozy in their nests.

Class And Elegance

According to the etiquette, class and elegance of days gone by, a lady should be quiet in her manners, natural and unassuming in her language, careful to wound no one's feelings, but give generously and freely from the treasures of her pure mind to her friends. She should scorn no one openly, have a gentle pity for the unfortunate, and at the same time carry herself with an innocence and singleheartedness that disarm ill nature and win respect and love from all. Such a lady is a model for her sex, the "bright particular star" on which others look with reference. The influence of such a woman is a power for good that cannot be overestimated.

Many things in life have changed and evolved with time, yet I believe women should still make every attempt at being quiet and graceful in their manner. I would be the first to admit that it is not easy these days to practice that "quiet and unassuming manner" but I will practice it (to no avail at times I'm sure), day by day, and make it habit.

Today, whether you are entering or leaving a room, purchasing groceries or pumping gas, hold your head up high. Live your day with class and elegance. Hold your head high, shoulders back, lengthen your spine and tuck your tummy in. Gracefully walk to your destination always with purpose. Buy yourself some flowers. Listen instead of talk. You have accomplished a lot to date. You need to show yourself strong, confident and proud. You'll be surprised how much better you'll feel about yourself and how many heads will turn to see the lady of the day (you), full of manners, class and elegance.