Amaryllis

In the winter, I enjoy houseplants, and the amaryllis is the last and best! I start mine around Christmas, so there is something to look forward to in the cold, tedious days of late winter. This is a "mini" variety, that I bought at my local garden store.

African Violets

My African violets (Saintpaulia sp.) are enjoying the February sun and day length. The days of February and March are their optimal bloom time. The purple one, with the frilled edges, is a descendent of ones that my grandmother had. The pink one was from my mother-in-law. They are easy to propagate at this time of year. Just stick a small, healthy leaf in soil, and it will root. They make lovely gifts, last for years, and remind one fondly of the giver!

The Snake Plant Blooms!

The snake plant is blooming. Not showy, but delicate and pretty!
Grandma would be happy!

Ice Storm

The world was ice-coated this morning. One of the local squirrels literally slid off the feeder while trying to eat breakfast. Beautiful, but best appreciated from a warm house, sipping a hot cup of tea.

First Snow Drops

I just noticed these yesterday. It was only 23oF, but spring is coming!

Snake Plant Update

The snake plant flower spike is lengthening out, but the blooms haven't opened yet. More later!

Hot Cross Rats

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and today is Chinese New Year. It's the Year of the Rat. My daughter and I found a way to observe both Lent and the Year of the Rat simultaneously! Hot Cross Rats... We made a simple hot cross bun dough in the bread machine, and then shaped them into a rough teardrop/rat body shape, added a dough tail across the back, with dried cherries for ears and currants for nose and eyes. Any rat put in a hot oven would be cross!

Recipe:
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 lightly beaten egg
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 tsp bread machine yeast

Use the setting that allows you to take out the dough and shape. After shaping and placement of eyes, ears, and nose, let rise for 30 minutes, glaze with egg/water mixture, bake for 15-17 minutes in a 375oF oven.