Roast Beet Caprese, and a Cup of Sangria

Every once in a while I have to throw a party. And go all out. Everybody dropped by that were in the neighborhood. You may remember — salivating — along with my friends when you saw this rose tea infused deglet noor date chocolate fudge in a post awhile back. And after a cup or two…

Weekly Photo Challenge – Creepy

Creepy… or reason to cheer, if you’re a gardener.  Word Press Photo Challenge “Creepy” From September 18, 2012, Praying Mantis Encounter… “But, back to my tale at hand. I was out in the sun, sipping cider, picking green beans, when literally, I almost picked a praying mantis! Blending in with the surroundings, until I looked…

Dominguez Canyon Jalapeno Peach Hot Sauce

Peach season has come ’round again. This year, we had such a hot and cold spring that early blossoming orchards in the North Fork Valley where I live have been mostly ill-fated. But to the west, on the Colorado – Utah border, peaches have popped. Luscious, organic peaches from Dominguez Canyon …. I love to…

Tiger Swallowtails and Life

Faithful readers, you may have noticed it’s been a bit, a bite out of time since I last posted. I’ve had much to contemplate, places to travel, lovely connections with Earth, all narrowing down to this moment. Today, milkweed in full bloom and a tiger swallowtail butterfly in incredible perfection burst into my life as…

Ode to a Barn, Spiders, and Sacred Spirals

It’s been happening for awhile now, but the full on onslaught, the riot of spring still feels a little surreal. Happening long enough that daffodils have bllossomed and have had time to dry. Still beautiful, as I see them. It’s my first spring living in this funky old house in the country – the North…

Spring Fever on Peony Lane

Nothing quite like laying on the earth with these beauties  ….. Sharing space with spring-drunk bees … And sky with budding bushes Few words to share, and that feels so peaceful. Letting the beauty of nature take over.

Glass Gem Corn Grinding Day

One of my wildest garden to table dreams came true. We grew a package of Glass Gem corn from Native Seeds out of New Mexico – and the harvest was a kaleidoscope, a celebration of awe. I posted ecstatically about this corn a while back in The First Magical Ear. But I am so happy to…

Snow Goddess Sings

Snow goddess sings in mallard wings through frosted dawn. Wink of another moon she paints across eastern skies and a new season rises. Reflected in whirled ice she lounges by creek bank in snowdrifts, coaxing, teasing water with old stories until it gurgles, chortling beneath solid surface. Snow goddess ecstatic in blizzard becomes the oak…

A Fish Tale ~ Colorado Kokanee Salmon

The alarm went off at 3:30 am and I truly leapt out of bed. Excited for an early morning adventure – I poured fresh brewed coffee into my mug, gathered my cooler and coat, then hit the road. I was driving through the dark morning hours up Highway 133 in southwest Colorado, making the right…

Plums – under a rain soaked sky

I have been eating. Truly. I have been thinking about recipes, and making them, and then sitting down somewhere and actually eating them. But my recent move – back to the countryside ’round Paonia, Colorado from the city, has added fullness and textures and people that are being juggled, and huggled, sifted and arranged. I…