Friday, April 23, 2021

Friday Favourites: Rhubarb, Spring Blossoms, and a bit of Music

 




Along the street where I walked yesterday (pushing Iris in her stroller), this tree stopped me in my tracks with its abundant blooms. Pinks from blush to fuschia filled every branch. I just had to stop and take a photo. Are they not marvelous? 


Our walk took us to the park where we played on the swings for a bit and then we walked to see the ducks. We had no food with us so the ducks soon lost interest in us. The play of light on water is mesmerizing. I'm so glad that I can spend one day each week able to care for this one grandchild so that her mother gets a bit of a break. 


I don't often speak of my husband on the blog. He works in long term health care administration and this pandemic has increased his work load (along with that of many others) exponentially. It seems that outbreaks occur, requiring his attention, on so many of holidays and days off. Christmas Day, Family Day (February), and Easter required phoning in to numerous Zoom meetings because of cases. Last Sunday to Monday I planned a little local getaway and it felt like a tiny escape. We stayed in a local hotel where every precaution was taken, swam, walked in the sunshine, and had a very relaxing time. I love the above photo because it says much about my husband. He's curious about many things, with a very analytical mind, and loves the ocean and nature. 


 
I read about this cookbook in the My French Country Home magazine and decided to order it. My preferred way to cook is Western European/Mediterranean, although I like Mexican and some Asian food, as well. I tried one recipe (below) and have marked a few more to try.

What style of cooking do you prefer?


Our rhubarb has exploded with the warm and sunny weather we've enjoyed for the past 10 days or so. I was intrigued by the addition of rhubarb to a chicken dish in the cookbook, so I tried it last night, with a few variations. I don't know how much the rhubarb actually adds to the dish other than a hint of tart. The broccoli is the last from our winter crop and the plants are now in the compost bin. 


In my garden I've begun using forget-me-nots as underplantings under the roses. I hope I don't regret it, but for now they are well controlled and ever so pretty with their clouds of blue. 

My father celebrates 87 years tomorrow and it makes me very sad that we have not seen my parents for ever so long - since last August. If things go well with vaccinations, and people behave, perhaps we can make the ferry trip at the end of May. Our vaccines are scheduled for next week. 

Our summer-in-April weather is ending this evening with rain moving in. We need the moisture. Plans for the weekend are loose, but there will likely be some house-keeping and gardening. 

Thank you for reading my blog. Sometimes I think I've run the course here, but then I think about the friendships made and the interesting blogs I read, and I keep on. Have a most wonderful weekend!

25 comments:

  1. What a beautiful flowering tree! I am so glad you two were able to get away for a little bit.
    That cook book sounds interesting. I love French, Italian and Mediterranean cooking. I also like to cook Asian.

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  2. While reading your blog, I learned a word « mesmerising »
    I will learn it now!
    My husband is a general practitioner and I know how the situation is tiring. We would also like to have a break, but it’s not possible at the moment, too much work and too dangerous here. My husband had his vaccination and I will start mine beginning of May.
    Please don’t stop your blog I really enjoy to read it!
    I wish you a good weekend.
    Hugs Catherine

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  3. I forgot, I cook English and french.

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  4. We make a lot of plain meals...grill meat and steam or stir fry the veggies. But we love Italian food and make homemade sauces to freeze for convenience. I make a homemade pizza about once a week too. They are so easy and you can make them however you want. I still love to blog and keep up with my favorite bloggers. I probably read more blogs than comment but I can never catch up! Love your pretty flowers and early rhubarb!

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  5. Thanks for sharing the lovely flowers. Forget-me-nots are such simple little blooms, but so pretty.

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  6. Please don't stop blogging. I really enjoy your posts. They are just the right touch and greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share parts of your life with us, who often remain anonymous.

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  7. Bravo to your husband
    Happy Birthday to you father
    Thank you for your lovely always interesting blog!

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  8. Happy birthday to your father. I hope the long time apart will be over soon. The forget-me-nots are so appropriate!

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  9. Those pink blossoms are absolutely beautiful. The Wood duck is sure a handsome guy.
    Trees and shrubs and even birds are all decked out in their best for Spring.

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  10. Forget me nots are so lovely, but they can get out of hand if not kept cut back. I have them under my roses too and they add a delightful soft look.

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  11. You have not run your course, because I have just "found" you and love reading your blog! Love the photos and observations about the simple things in life.

    I gave in to temptation and ordered the February MFCH box, which included Miss Maggie's Kitchen book.......I browsed through and then sold my copy via Amazon, as I have similar cookbooks on my shelf right now. But I loved the rest of the items in the box.

    Envious that you were close enough to the wood duck to get such a great photo. I have been walking in our local wildlife refuge area frequently to catch a glimpse of them, but I haven't been lucky in my attempts this year. Ring-necked ducks, American black ducks and Mallards abound.

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  12. We need people, like your husband, so many are working so hard for all of us.
    Lovely photos, and good for you to get away. I miss eating on the patios in summer the most. That said, so many have lost jobs, especially women, I continue to be grateful to be retired.

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  13. Good morning, Lorrie. I enjoy French cooking and since I have roots in the Deep South, (Mississippi) I have loads of Southern recipes. I enjoyed hearing about your husband. His work has certainly given him many challenges with COVID. So glad you will be getting your shots.
    I do hope you will not give up your blog. I have not been following you that long, but I enjoy every post. Loved hearing about your rhubarb. My mom always kept a dish of stewed rhubarb for our toast in the morning. Good memories.
    Have a lovely weekend.

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  14. I am so pleased that you and your husband managed to have a short getaway together, and hopefully he returned back home refreshed and ready for whatever lies ahead of him during the coming weeks. Our hotels are still not open, but do so in the middle of May, and we have already booked a short trip away in anticipation. I just want to be able to come down in the morning and not have to think about preparing food. Sitting down to a breakfast and evening meal made by someone else will feel like bliss.

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  15. Sounds like a much needed get away even if it was local. Often the best sort. How lovely to have a new cookbook I’m looking forward to hearing what you’ve tried. I know how you feel about blogging but I agree about friendships made and I always enjoy reading yours. Hope you get to see your dad very soon. B x

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  16. Your blog is the one I always look for first on Friday. I hope you will continue to write it as I enjoy your photos so much and everything you write. We grow rhubarb here in Virginia and I especially like to make rhubarb/strawberry preserves among many other rhubarb recipes. We also have Forget Me Nots in our flower garden. Your little Ivy is one of the most beautiful little ones and I hope you continue to show us a picture occasionally as she grows. I know you must enjoy her and your other grandchildren. There is just something so special about grandkids!! A special "thank you" for your blog.

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  17. Such great photos. Glad you could get away. We have forget me nots all over our yard when they bloom and they are easy to control. Kit

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  18. Love the idea of forget-me-nots under the roses. I just picked up a pot of forget-me-nots as a memorial plant for friends who lost their dad recently. Hope you will be able to see your folks sooner rather than later! How hard to miss out on all those special celebrations.

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  19. ... and I'm so pleased you keep on blogging :)

    I always enjoy my visits.
    Your photographs here today are lovely to see, those blossoms are beautiful aren't they.
    So pleased you were able to enjoy a few days away, short breaks are always so refreshing.

    Have a lovely week.

    All the best Jan

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  20. Those blossoms would have stopped me in my tracks too. Glad you could have a little getaway in the midst. Great shot of your husband. Happy last week of April to you!

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  21. For what it's worth, I don't think you have run the course here. I sometimes feel the same way, so I can relate, and I don't blog or comment nearly as much as I used to. But, like you, I treasure the friendships that I have made around the world, and the journey that each friend is making is unique and inspiring in some way. We learn from one another.

    I love the photo of your husband as well as your words about him. What a gift!

    Your garden shots are always beautiful and I love seeing the world through your eyes!

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  22. The pink blossoms are gorgeous!

    Glad your hubby was able to get a brief break from his heavy workload.

    I registered for my vaccine last week, so now it's the waiting game...

    I'm glad you're still blogging--your lovely posts/images are the closest I'll get to Victoria these days!

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  23. I know what you mean about blogging, but then I like having a place to write and share pictures and visit a few blogging friends.
    The pink blossoms are indeed amazing!
    Glad your husband had a little respite.
    Hoping you get your vaccinations soon and can see your family.
    My husband got me a subscriptions to that magazine for my birthday and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I do love French cooking, but also love Mexican and Asian too.
    We have some forget me knots that have appeared in our herb garden, I think I like them there. Now I will be curious how yours do in the rose garden.

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  24. Nice to catch up on all your lovely doings. My favorite way to cook is Mediterranean, it is perfect for our warm climate and offers so my veggie dishes, that are my favorite.
    Amalia
    xo

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  25. I enjoy your random thoughts that sound like your speaking voice. You also have a beautiful way with written words.
    Those pink blossoms are so pretty! I made a rhubarb platz for our staff this week, but have never used it in a savory dish. It looks delicious!

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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