Friday, February 03, 2017

Finding Colour in Winter



Last weekend, my sister and her husband came for a short visit. They brought three bunches of tightly closed tulip bulbs. I've so enjoyed watching them open this week, little by little. 



Today, snow is falling. Heavily, then lightly, but steadily. It's wet and mostly melts when it hits the ground. However pretty it is to watch, the leaden skies suck all the colour from the landscape. I'm happy for these cheery tulips indoors.


On my kitchen windowsill, paperwhites continue to bloom. I've not noticed much fragrance from them, but the splayed and ungainly leaves add green freshness, and the blooms are dainty. 


Another bunch of tulips, purchased earlier, is on its last legs. This bloom drooped sideways, and like an ageing woman, it's developing fine lines as it dries out. Still beautiful and sculptural. 


The first week of the new semester is over. Once again I was asked to take on another course, for the first term, at least. It's English 10 and I have a wonderful group of students. My French and Spanish courses are done for the year, and I've started with Foods 8 - a bit like herding cats! 

Today they made mango salsa. I came in early and prepped the supplies. When I laid them out on the table, another teacher stopped by to admire the colour. So I took a second look, then picked up my phone and took a quick photo. The students did well with their knife skills and enjoyed eating the salsa with corn chips. 

Here's the recipe if you want to try it:

Mango Salsa

1 large mango, peeled and diced
1/2 sweet bell red pepper, finely diced
1 green onion, sliced thinly
1 jalapeno pepper (or 1/2) seeded and finely diced
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional, but delicious!)

Mix all, let sit 30 minutes (or eat right away). It's also good on grilled chicken or fish. 

Snow continues to fall. I'm going to make a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy watching the scene outside. 

Linking with Five on Friday, hosted by Amy of Love Made my Home. 

40 comments:

  1. I'm going to try your recipe for mango salsa. I know we would love it and the Florida mangoes are plentiful right now. Hope you have a beautiful weekend! Hugs!

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  2. Oh the colors you've shared are vivid and refreshing. They perk a person up. That salsa sounds wonderful. I am sure that the class was very much enjoyed.

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  3. Beautiful colors for these cold, grey, dreary winter days. My daughter will love this salsa...sending her the link to it right away.
    I so love to see that first run of tulips in the spring. xo Diana

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  4. I hope the students you teach realize what a good teacher they have. Beautiful colors. Have a lovely weekend.

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  5. Such lovely color! I get starved for color at this time of year and that is why I love to go to California for a week. I soak in all the green and the flowers and birdsong and it gets me thru our long winters here. Snowing again right now on top of 2 feet of snow. I love watching it! Kit

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  6. Yes, color is needed! Eat colourful and buy colourful tulips save most days! Happy weekend Lorrie!

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  7. That salsa looks simple and colourful for a snowy February day. Fun for the Grade 8's too!

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  8. Lovely, bright colors! So nice to get a gift of tulips. What a fun class - making salsa sounds wonderful on a cold, winter day. This sounds delicious! Hope you have a relaxing weekend :) xx K

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  9. The colors in our food and flowers, they are what we need. Winter is dark, although the days are getting longer little by little. I have to say, as people in the gym, try, try more....

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  10. Such a lovely bright and cheerful post. The tulips are lovely and so are the colourful fruit and vegetables. I always leave tulips until they open out, droop and twist in the vase because I think they look just as wonderful like that too:)

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  11. It is almost a painting, your group of vegetables!

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  12. Love the tulips! They are so cheerful! Thanks for stopping by :)

    Colletta

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  13. I'm like the tulip...aging. or should I say AGED?!!

    Beautiful colors all the way around.

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  14. I'm like the tulip...aging. or should I say AGED?!!

    Beautiful colors all the way around.

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  15. I love mangoes so your mango salsa is right up my alley. Have a good weekend, Lorrie.

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  16. Beautiful bursts of colour are so welcome on these dreary, gloomy days. Thanks, Lorrie. x

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  17. Nothing better than tulips in the house this time of year.
    Mango salsa sounds delicious. Thanks for the recipe. I used to go to a restaurant called Bonefish Grill and they would put mango salsa on their tilapia...yum. I'm going to try this. Love all of the gorgeous flower pics in the last post.

    Cindy

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  18. Lovely colors and winter needs all the color we can find.

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  19. Beautiful bursts of colour with the tulips and the bright and fresh ingredients for the salsa. Looks like a great recipe.

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  20. The tulips are gorgeous and such a wonderful reminder that spring is not too far away. I think I'm going to copy down this recipe as we all enjoy salsa here with our cornchips too. Thanks for the recipe! Enjoy your weekend ... I've enjoyed reading back through some missed posts here (I've been unable to visit many blogs lately). It's been nice to catch up with you :)
    Wendy xox

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  21. Gosh I hope I'm aging (or have aged, more accurately) half as well as that beautiful mauve tulip. Love the new bouquet too! I am awed at the variety of classes you teach. Very impressive -- and based on that picture and wonderful recipe, 'home economics' (as we caleld it) has definitely improved since I took it so long ago. (Oddly, I can't remember my kids taking anything like that in high school.... will have to ask my daughter.)

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  22. A bright and colorful post. Do you keep trimming your tulips in water so they don't grow tall? I always thought it interesting how they keep growing in water. I've measured to be sure my eyes weren't playing tricks. Gorgeous veggies as well. God is quite an Artist.

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  23. Smiling about the 'herding of cats' comment. You captured the colours beautifully. Love any colour at this time of year!

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  24. Such beautiful photos; a feast for the eyes. Haven't had many tulips yet, something to remedy. Keep warm this weekend. B x

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  25. Your gift tulips are beautiful! They are incredible the way that they age aren't they, so graceful as they go! Hope the salsa making wasn't too bad with the children, I am sure it was delicious to eat!

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  26. I think when I finish leaving my comment a cup of hot chocolate will be on my desk. That sounds so good. The salsa also sounds delicious. Jim likes making mango salsa occasionally. Love the tulips, they do add color to our gloomy days of winter. I must get some soon, as I just had to toss the ones I had. Hope the sun comes out soon and we begin to see more of the sun.

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  27. I enjoyed the flowers but oh MY the Mango Salsa vegetables...glad that you pulled the phone out :)

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  28. Anonymous4:54 PM

    Lorrie, I think tulips are one of my favorite flowers. So fragile and feminine. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and recipe with us.

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  29. i need to get some flowers! They brighten up a room!

    Your salsa recipe sounds delish. I like your analogy "herding cats."

    Have a lovely weekend!

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  30. A cheery post full of color and pop! Love the bright colors you shared. It's snowing here too, and sticking. We got a full foot of snow yesterday and last night, and now it is snowing again. It is oh so pretty. Loved the contrast colors of the mango salsa you had the class make, what fun! I need to try this as I do love salsa, and I bet the colors are gorgeous all together too.

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  31. Great job composing the veggies for their portrait!

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  32. Thanks for this great colors splash, that's what I need at this grey morning.
    Tulip like an aged woman - a good picture...
    Never see such orange mangos in our market, they all are in deep green (and nor very yummy).
    Enjoy your sunday

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  33. Beautiful flowers, and thank you for the great recipe
    It will be nice to have chips and freshly made mango salsa while watching the snowflakes, and dreaming of summer. :)
    Have a Great Week!

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  34. Such beautiful photos, Lorrie!
    Flowers are always lovely (especially tulips, even though I find them difficult to photograph), but I must say the fruit and vegetables do look particularly cheerful.
    Happy Sunday!

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  35. Mmmmm. Mango salsa. I could just eat some of that now!

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  36. Your floral photos are divine, Lorrie & now I'm not only hungry for Spring but salsa, too! LOL

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  37. Tulips are such a beautiful way to bring spring color into one's homre, Lorrie. Your salsa sounds delicious!

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  38. Those tulips are a wonderful colour.

    Loved the photo of the food too - that Mango Salsa sounds delicious, thanks for sharing the recipe.

    All the best Jan

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  39. I love your still life of salsa ingredients, so fresh and vibrant. The purple tulip is still so beautiful and graceful, I shall endeavour to emulate it in my old age!

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  40. What cheery colors you've shared to perk up my day, Lorrie, from the flowers to the Mango Salsa. I'm sure the students devoured the yummy appetizer!

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