Spring Break?

I am on Spring Break this week.  Although it should be called Winter Break #2.

This is what is looked like this time last year.

This is what this week has looked like.

We got this snow on Monday and it hung around until Tuesday.  The snow has melted over the past couple of days and the temperature today is getting up to the low 50s.  I am hoping that the soil won't be too soggy and I can actually get some things planted!  I am more than ready for winter to finally let go.

Bee School

Over the weekend we attended a bee school/conference for the 3rd year in a row.  We always enjoy this day because it gets us excited for the upcoming bee season.  We get to share stories and tap into other's knowledge.  There are also vendors selling all sorts of beekeeping books and tools.  This year we finally invested in a full beekeeping suit.  We bought one that will make sure to fit both of us and I feel like a huge marshmallow in it but I won't be worried about a bee finding an opening in my clothing.

Spring?

Yesterday we only reached a high of 38 degrees. A week ago I thought spring was arriving.  I was wrong.  

It's been too cold and wet to get any seeds in the ground.  I am hoping to get some in next week!

Signs of Spring

The garlic is coming in through the straw and the chives have already started new growth.

Overwintered Hive?

Could it be that we actually overwintered a hive, even without medicating or really trying?  On Sunday when the temps hit over 60 degrees I was surprised by the amount of activity that was coming in and out of the hive.  I thought they might have died but Andy was convinced they were still alive.  It looks like he is right or there are a lot of bees robbing our hive of it's honey.  We definitely need to get in there asap and find out what is going on.

Arrived

All my seeds have arrived.  I am hoping to get lettuces, greens and peas in the ground this weekend.  But I don't have a garden plan yet.  I really need to sit down and figure out where I want everything to go in this year's garden before I can put a seed in the soil.

Spring Is In The Air

This is what the garden looked like on Wednesday when we had a snow day.

Seeing this gal collecting pollen as I walked around without a coat today put a smile on my face that Spring has arrived.

Finally

Over the past week I inventoried my seeds, cleaned out old seeds, compiled a list of what I needed, scoured catalogs and finally placed some orders.  I placed orders with Pinetree, High Mowing and Johhny's.  I wish I could find everything I need in one catalog to save on shipping costs but then again I like supporting more than one of my favorite catalogs.

I ordered a bunch of lettuce seeds with high hopes but the order might prove to be foolish since the past couple of years I seem to be the only person on the planet who has a hard time growing lettuce.  I ordered a few of my favorites that needed refilling (Napoli carrots, Lacinto Kale etc..) and a few other items for fun just to try ("watermelon" radishes and such).  I am looking forward to the arrival of my seed packages, it means the possibilities of a new garden are around the corner!

Harvest

Last week the ground was finally dry enough to dig up some carrots and parsnips.  I have been harvesting a little at a time because I am curious to see how well certain items will keep in the ground.  The Napoli carrots are doing great and super sweet.  I have left a few in the ground to continue to test them.  The parsnips are OK, the cores are very woody and they should have been pulled awhile ago.  The leeks unfortunately did not make it through the deep freeze and snows, they are still standing but beginning to break down.

Super Late

I should have ordered seeds weeks ago.  But life and work have put my gardening plans on the back burner.  I am hoping to use this long President's Day weekend to inventory my seeds, finish going through catalogs and finally put in my orders.  The first seeds are going to need to go in the ground in about a month!

Roasted Chicken

When the weather is as cold as it has been nothing is better than warming up the house with a roasted chicken for a winter meal.  Of course I also made a good amount of stock from the carcass too.

Cardinals

At the Cincinnati Nature Center, where we went on our hike, they have an area set up as a bird preserve with numerous bird feeders.  We were surprised to see so many Cardinals.  Against the white snow all the brightly colored birds were beautiful.

Snowy Hike

Not much has been going on in our world other than work and living the routines of life.  After the recent warm up we had it then quickly got cold again and we got a light snow.  We decided it was the perfect weather for a snowy winter hike.

Bowl of Brightness

Right now we are enjoying winter citrus.  

The bright color in the kitchen is uplifting and of course the fruit itself is delicious!

Ham Bone

At the holidays we always enjoy a ham as part of our celebrations.  But I also enjoy when it's gone because I am left with the bone which I used to make some more delicious dishes.

First I made a bean soup where the bone lent a smokey flavor.

Then I transferred the bone to a pot with some celery, carrots, onion and bay leaf.  I covered them with water and simmered it for a few hours to soak up any left over flavor for a broth.  And after coming across this article I felt it was worthwhile to spend the time to get the last little bits from the bones.

Warm Winter Weather

Last weekend it was quite warm.  Warm enough for the daffodils to make their appearance.

It was also warm enough that the bees came out of the hive.  We were excited to see signs of life but it's obvious the hive is weak because a strong hive would have had much more activity.

January Weather?

60s in January?  This does not feel like January.

Veggie Soup

Lately I have really been into hearty homemade veggie soup.  It's warm, comforting and healthy because it is filled with veggies!  The chard and carrots are from our garden, the rest is store bought.

We've also been eating it with crusty bread, olive oil and pesto for dipping.  It's yummy and I get to use my new favorite plate, a Christmas gift to myself.

Harvest

I cut the rest of the swiss chard and some oregano for soup.  I am surprised that the chard has made it this far, I expected it to die back by now.  I have left a few small leaves to see if when it warms up the plants start growing to provide some early greens.

Happy Hollandaise

The past few years we have traveled to Petosky, Michigan between Christmas and New Years.  We always stay at an inn that has fantastic Eggs Benedict that we eat every morning.   This year we did not go but the snow reminded us of those holiday breakfasts.  Hollandaise sauce is our favorite part of the meal, the buttery rich sauce is decadent and delicious.  It was a perfect meal to cozy up to on a cold, holiday night.

Most recipes call for 1TBS lemon juice this time I only used 3/4 TBS because often all I can taste is the lemon juice.  3/4 TBS was the perfect amount this time.  It was enough to "cook" the egg yolks but not too much that the lemon flavor over powered the richness of the sauce.  I also used a smidge more butter over the recipe's half cup.

Hollandaise Sauce:

4 egg yolks

3/4 TBS lemon juice

1/2 cup + 1TBS melted unsalted butter

pinch of salt

pinch of cayenne

Whisk together egg yolks and lemon juice in a stainless steel bowl over barely simmering water until doubled in volume.  Then drizzle in butter while rapidly whisking until sauce doubles in volume again.  Whisk in salt and cayenne.  Cover and keep warm until use.  If sauce is too thick add a drop or two of warm water at a time until desired thickness.