When I took the compost pail out to the bin this afternoon, I noticed a couple of daffodils lying on the ground, probably beaten down by all the rain we've had. They look happier tucked into a glass on the kitchen window sill. Behind them the forsythia glows golden.
Narcissus or daffodil - that is the question. Well, it was my question and a little research told me that Daffodil is the common name for any of the narcissus genus, but that it's usually applied to the yellow variety.
Shrimp tacos. Why did it take me so long to discover how easy they are to make? Make a coleslaw dressed with lime, cut open an avocado, crumble some feta cheese, soften corn tortillas and just before eating quickly fry peeled shrimp in hot oil. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning (I keep a jar of homemade seasoning in my cupboard), and voilà, dinner's ready!
The pot of hyacinths on the front porch is beginning to bloom. Such a lovely dark blue. And a wonderful scent, too.
Lately, I feel like all of my brain power is used up in lesson planning and marking. In English 9 it's Romeo and Juliet, and English 10 is All Quiet on the Western Front. In the block where I taught French last semester, I'm now teaching Home Ec 8.
The students made poached eggs this week, to top an open-faced breakfast biscuit (which they also made), along with bacon, tomato and avocado. The poached egg success was varied. One group thought that the eggs had to be stirred while cooking. You can imagine the result. But everyone had a good time and they are learning some basic skills.
Here at home I managed to bake a couple of loaves of whole wheat bread, using my standard Peter Reinhart recipe where I prepare the dough one day, let it rise in the fridge for 1-3 days, then bake it. So delicious slathered with butter and honey when warm. I resisted this time.
And in the garden the muscari bloom - small patches of blue and green. I love their tiny flowers, clustered like grapes, hence their common name, grape hyacinth. Mine are a medium blue and I'd like to get some of the deeper blue ones.
And so another week comes to a close. The days are lengthening noticeably and I can feel my energy increasing. Is it the same for you? Does sunlight brighten your days?
Linking with Five on Friday hosted by Amy of Love Made My Home.
Thank you! I have been in a menu slump and your shrimp tacos look so good and a perfect thing to try to make eating exciting again. I even have a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer . . . thanks for lighting a fire of inspiration under by menu planning.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy and sun filled weekend.
Connie :)
Your hyacynths are beautiful! (I may have misspelled that...get out your red pencil! lol) I always loved to substitute teach and was always called on to sub for music and band. Home ec would be fun too. Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks delicious, I am afraid I cheat and use a bread making machine but it still tastes good. Your shrimp tacos sound and look delicious I must give that a go. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe blue hyacinths are gorgeous and those shrimp tacos look and sound delicious.
ReplyDeleteI am going to make those next week, thank you for the recipe!
Enjoy the weekend.
I enjoyed your post so much this morning. We had a little rain last night and expecting more tonight and over the weekend but the sun is shining at the moment. Teaching the young folks about cooking is wonderful but I imagine at times very challenging. I have always admired good teachers. Your lovely flowers lifted my spirits and is helping me get started with my day. Your shrimp tacos look "out of this world". Yesterday I bought a pot roast that is going to be cooked today. It will make the house smell like a good place to be. It is nice to have a little longer days with a little sunshine. I prayed that my little Cavalier Spaniel, Lily would be able to live long enough for the weather to be a little more sunny. I am very sensitive to SAD. Thank you for bring me some joy to start my weekend. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that there are still some schools offering home economics courses! Such a good and practical subject. I'm a little biased since I was a Home Economics major...
ReplyDeleteThat shrimp taco looks delicious!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Yes, the sunlight does give energy and brighten the day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on fish tacos. I would love them just like that, but Jim would need a different cheese. Smiling!
I would give you some of the darker grape hyacinths if your were nearby. I love the light ones. Wishing more schools taught Home Ec. You are giving your students such good life skills. The daffodils are in full bloom all around me and I am loving it. I go out and rescue the ones that have fallen over. They make such a nice indoor sunshiny delight.
THe daffodil looks like beautiful lace in the sunshine! I so love seeing the daffodils pop up in the springtime...they always bring a smile to my face
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, my friend. Have a lovely weekend! Hugs!
Very little sunlight to brighten our days here. We are still putting up with very strong winds.
ReplyDeleteThose first Grape hyacinths are such sweet little pops of blue, I love seeing them open.
Lovely moments from your week! It is so good to see signs of spring coming along isn't it. Thank you for sharing at Five On Friday, hope you have a great weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful first photo with the forsythia behind it. Tacos are such a flexible easy meal. I wonder if my mother would have made them as often as we do? Hope you have a good weekend. Home Ec sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteI am laughing about the stirring of the poached eggs. lol..that would be egg soup? Great pictures and I am wishing I had a bit of your warm weather here. We have a few inches of snow coming tonight- ugh- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThose shrimp tacos look so yummy and succulent.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
I love the longer days, too.
ReplyDeleteYour photos and words about spring where you live is making me eager to see ours here. Probably a few weeks away yet.
I chuckled about the poached eggs being stirred. :)
Have a lovely weekend!
Yes, longer days do make me feel like I have more time. Your days are full with prep and classes and you still have time to bake bread and enjoy your blooms. Hope you have a restful weekend.
ReplyDeleteI want those shrimp tacos!!! My circadian rhythm is definitely liking the increase in daylight!
ReplyDeleteSightings of Spring ... how lovely. I have a little pot of bulbs blossoming as they sit on my dining room table. The hyacinth is just starting to bloom, which means the house will be filling with their sweet fragrance in a day or so.
ReplyDeleteAnd your shrimp tacos ... oh yum!
Wishing you a beautiful weekend...
Brenda
xox
oh those shrimp tacos sound so tasty. my son is doing Romeo and Juliet at the moment, he is finding it hard work I think......
ReplyDeletelaughing at the poached egg story! my children mostly make scrambled eggs, lots of stirring x
A very inspiring post. Never think to leave my bread to rise slowly in the fridge. Will have to look for that recipe. What an eclectic mix you teach. But quite fun to chop and change. Lovely photos. B xx
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a versatile teacher as you teach those different subjects. The practicality of home economics must be a change from English Literature, but satisfying to help these young people learn basic skills in the kitchen. The bread and the shrimp salad look delicious and the pretty Spring flowers uplifting. I hope you have a relaxing weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello, Lorrie! Your tacos look heavenly. Did they taste as good as they looked? :)
ReplyDeleteYou are surely an inspiring teacher also when teaching Home Ec. Sounds very useful, and I did learn some good recipes in those remote times. I wonder if they still offer those courses here...
Your flower photos are fabulous.
Have a lovely weekend!
I didn't know fish tacos were that easy either! Thanks for telling us how to make them, Lorrie. Putting it on my list, as it would be easy to do for just one person.
ReplyDeleteYou make me want to run out & buy some grape hyacinth bulbs for next year along with some deep purple/blue hyacinths. I have pink & white ones that are peeking through the snow! Yay!!
Pretty photos...I always wondered about daffs names, too. LOL
Oh yes, the lengthening days and sunlight do wonders for my outlook and energy levels.
ReplyDeleteYour spring blooms are a sight to behold. I was happy to discover my daffodils and hyacinths starting to bloom this week too. Spring is in the air.
Thanks for sharing your tips on shrimp taco making. I enjoy them, but have never thought to make them.
I want some of your amazing energy dear Lorrie - you have been a busy one lately! Your bread sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I cut the falling over daffs - like just looking into the garden and seeing the strong ones blowing the breeze.
Wow, the shrimp tacos are fabulous - I will try your recipe, seems very easy and fast, two things I now seem to be enjoying in my kitchen!
Happy weekend - Mary
Shrimp tacos are so good, but my husband doesn't like them. I didn't know that daffodils were called Narcissus, live and learn.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of shrimp tacos before they sound delicious. Love the photos of the Daffodils Spring has certainly sprung.
ReplyDeleteLove the spring flowers in their brilliant attire after a long drab winter. Also it is such a treat to have the days lengthened with a promise of more daylight to come.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the shrimp taco suggestion...looks and it taste delish, I am sure.
Love the spring flowers in their brilliant attire after a long drab winter. Also it is such a treat to have the days lengthened with a promise of more daylight to come.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the shrimp taco suggestion...looks and it taste delish, I am sure.
What an enjoyable read Lorrie!
ReplyDeleteI'll start with saying my energy levels are on the wane - is this because I'm getting up in the dark and our days are shortening, I think so!
Your indoor pot of blue hyacinths is glorious but the little grape hyacinths in the garden - really strikes a chord with me, they are my favourite Spring flower!
I didn't have any this year and the nurseries are all advertising bulbs this weekend so I must get some before they all disappear!
The bread recipe sounds easy when you can leave it in the fridge to develop - do you bake it in the oven or in a breadmaker (which I don't have one).
Shane
Oh I liked seeing those hyacinths! :) The weather here is so back and forth ...DO love the longer days / more light :)
ReplyDeleteSo why am I craving shrimp tacos when we just finished dinner? Your Pictures have a way of making me hungry! So enjoying the spring blooms and the longer days over here as well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great five Lorrie! That taco looks delicious, I love advocados so will have to make this next weekend. The spring bulbs are certainly in full swing now. Have a wonderful Sunday x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely week you've had! And I love all the photographs. Sunlight definitely brightens my days ~ along with the increasing warmth. :)
ReplyDeleteSending hugs,
Lin
Oh so lovely spring flowers.
ReplyDeleteMay I have one of those Shrimp Tacos - It looked so delicious.
Everything about this post was delightful! The shrimp tacos made my mouth water and planning to make them for dinner on Tuesday. Photos of the flowers would brighten any ones day.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good weekend and getting sunny skies.
Xo
Dagmar
Such pretty flowers. I had to giggle at the stirred poached eggs. I learned the perfect trick - sink a small custard cup in boiling water and break the egg into the custard cup that is full of water. They come out perfectly shaped and done to perfection (if one watches the time). It looks like you have a good week and weekend.
ReplyDeleteAnd you new header is wonderful - as always.
ReplyDeleteNever enjoyed All Quiet on the Western Front. I'd find it tough to teach.
ReplyDeleteSpring is so pretty in your corner.mI have wondered about daffodils and narcissis myself. I always have called the white flower with the spicy scent narcissis. I should do some research.
I love your five on friday.... and I liked your blog so much I became a follower. Hoping to see much more of you.
ReplyDeleteLovely signs of Spring in the flower photos, your bread looks very tasty:)
ReplyDeleteInteresting your bread recipe. I have not heard of raising the dough in the fridge before.
ReplyDelete