"These are a few of my Favourite Things"

This Victoria Day Week has been filled 

with some of my favourite things!

I gardened hard,

as though I was young and
it all had to be done in

one day.

My stiff back and sore muscles can attest to this!

End of May is when our farm

looks the prettiest ..... oh, but then

there is June and September and - well, every season

when I really think about it.

We've been here for almost 34 years and counting.

Apple orchard in full bloom

Purple tulips in front bed

Parrot Tulips in back bed

Frilly variegated Lilac bush by the rail fence

Fragrant Heritage Lilac in front of the drive shed

White Lilac on the Barn Hill

Can you tell that I really like lilacs?

Within a few days, the Peonies,
Poppys, Iris, Bachelor Buttons,
and Columbine will open their
swollen buds.

This really is such a wonderful time of year.

We are thankful for
the corn and bean crops that are planted

and for the warm weather
and refreshing rains.

These are just a few of my favourite things.....

A Pie for May

May's Pie of the Month

has to be Rhubarb!

My patch is at the right stage

for the pickin'

I tried a new recipe this time,

one with a "lid"

and I wasn't disappointed

even though I still 

love my favourite rhubarb pie recipe the best.

Old Fashioned Covered Rhubarb Pie

1 unbaked pie crust plus enough pastry for a lid

4 Cups chopped fresh rhubarb

1 Cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. orange zest

6 Tbsp. flour

A good knob (2 Tbsp.) butter

Preheat oven to 450F.

Mix the sugar, flour, cinnamon and orange zest

Put 1/4 of mixture into the bottom of pie shell

Top with the chopped rhubarb

Sprinkle with remaining sugar and flour mixture

Dot with the butter
(do this before you put the lid on so you don't have to peel back your carefully placed pastry because you forgot - don't ask me how I know this :-)

Cover with top pastry and seal the edges

Bake at 450F for 15 minutes and then lower heat to 350F for another 40 to 45 minutes.

Serve warm or cold with ice cream or custard.

His - he really liked it!

Her's - she was wishing for ice-cream to go with it.

Till next time ...... I can hear the Rhubarb growing !!

Blossoms and The Oriole

The old apple trees are in

full bloom,

the Oriole has arrived

as he always does

when the blossoms are out.

He sits at the very top of the tree.

It's been said that an Oriole

sings like a Robin who's had

voice lessons - 'tis true!

Listen for yourself......

Till next time .... enjoying the long weekend and gardening to my heart's content!