Posted in Uncategorized on March 8, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Well it isn’t quite Dallas Blooms, but I did come home to a few pretties blooming in the garden – including my very own tulip.
Posted in garden tours, Uncategorized on March 4, 2018| 2 Comments »
Tulips have long been one of my favorite flowers, and when I learned about Dallas Blooms several years ago, it went straight on my bucket list. We don’t get cold enough here in Texas for most tulip varieties, but The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden combats this issue by planting 500,000 bulbs each winter! Spring is a difficult time to escape from my own garden, with so many tasks needing attention – and Dallas is nearly a 4 hour drive. This year I finally had a good excuse, with my daughter living in Dallas for 8 months, and I was more than happy to pay her a visit.
Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and were in line at 8:45, for the gates to open at 9. We were warmly greeted outside the garden by bold primary colors.
Once inside, you have a spectacular lake view as a backdrop to a raised bed vegetable garden. I’m always impressed with how tidy professional vegetable gardens look, so different from mine!
As you make your way through the vegetable garden, this beautiful view opens up, teasing of what is to come.
We were lucky enough to see these Saucer Magnolias in bloom, which my daughter nicknamed “Tulip Trees”.
This formal garden was bordered on each side by a mix of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. On the left the colors mirrored the bright colors of the garden entrance – on the right, more subtle colors of white, yellow, and blue.
This garden contained a few surprised as well. Behind one of the borders was a pop of purple and pink hyacinths. I don’t think I’d ever put this color combination together in my own garden, but it completely worked in this case.
Every angle of the formal garden presented a different visual experience. It seems that every inch has been carefully considered.
As we continued our journey through the garden, I was amazed at the different color combinations.
There was even an understated white garden.
This was my favorite of the day, so beautifully designed!
A few more of my favorite pictures.
The garden was absolutely magical! I was so happy to share it with my daughter, who seemed to be as geeked out as I was.
Posted in bloom day, Uncategorized on January 15, 2018| Leave a Comment »
These beauties can always be counted on in the middle of winter when nothing else is blooming!
Posted in recipes, Uncategorized on January 14, 2018| 2 Comments »
We have an abundance of Collard Greens this year, which is fine by me – they are one of my favorites. I have tried several recipes over time, and this is an adaption from one I found several months ago.
Start with one large yellow onion and 5 strips of bacon. Slice bacon and cook on med-high. Once the bacon starts to crisp, lower heat to medium and add onion. Cook together until soft.
Mix 4 cups of liquid. I used 3 cups of duck stock with 1 cup of water. I’ve also made this with just chicken stock. Add 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 cup white vinegar to the liquid. Turn heat back up to med/high and add liquid to bacon/onion mixture.
Once sugar and salt are dissolved add collard greens. I cut the collards into 2×2 inch squares. Lower to a simmer and cook for at least an hour.
The collards will darken and soften during cooking, absorbing all the goodness. Add salt to taste if necessary during cooking.
I served the collards with roast duck, and roasted duck fat potatoes.
Posted in Uncategorized on January 7, 2018| 6 Comments »
Growing up in the Phoenix area, I took the obligatory field trip to the Desert Botanical Garden in elementary school, but had not been back since. I really have no excuse, since I visit the area 1-2 times a year. After reading numerous posts from bloggers, I finally made it a priority. I invited my family members to come along, and 8 of us enjoyed the garden.
The desert garden is all about structure, and this one does not disappoint.
Cluster plantings also provided the wow factor.
There is also a natural trail, which shows the plants in a less formal setting.
I loved this garden! It was a great way to spend the morning, and my membership to The WFC got me in free!
willsfamilyacres 